Definitions
- Ipsative: Ipsative scoring is typically used in education, psychiatry, athletics, etc. This is the first time that ipsative scoring is applied to not-for-profit organizations (NFPs). With people, it is an assessment score that compares the results of the individual to him or herself, that is, the score is compared to their potential – what they are capable of achieving and not to others. The MaxCI Assessment© is an Internet-based, NFP organizational self-assessments that produces organizational ipsative scores – one that compares the NFP to itself, to its potential, and not to other NFPs – and nine individual scores for each one of the business functions.
- Not-for-profit organization: It has a 501(c)(3) federal government tax exempt designation; a charitable organization.
- Nonprofit, non profit, non-profit: They are neither legal nor technical terms, but casual and perfectly suitable.
- NP, NFP, N4P: Obviously they abbreviations for the above “2 & 3.”
- Organizational “GPS”: The MaxCI Assessment is like an organizational GPS, that is, after completing the Assessment, the results will show where you are in relation to your organizational potential (ipsative score); then you decide where you want your organization to go; and your specific set of recommendations for growth and development – another Assessment result – will help you to get there.
- “Organizational genetics:” Given your present-day organizational circumstances, or the status quo, the goal is to realize its potential and not worry about – or be compared to -other organizations. Your “organizational genetics” include such things as the product, services or programs offered; the availability of local or regional financial resources (contributed or earned income), grant awards, geographic location, population served and other applicable demographics. These organizational “genetic markers” determine your potential. To compare a lake shell museum in Superior, Wisconsin, to a sea shell museum in Miami, Florida, serves no purpose because the organizational genetics are “seas apart” (widely different).