Biggest Challenges As a Self-Employed Nonprofit Consultant and Project Manager
Manaf's biggest challenges as a self-employed nonprofit consultant and project manager include "continually defining and redefining" their service offerings to appeal to clients seeking specialists, and managing competing demands from multiple clients simultaneously. This requires ongoing work on branding and prioritization to avoid overextending themselves while meeting client needs.
Project Management, Freelancing, Client Management, Self-Employment, Branding and Marketing
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Manaf Mansure
Nonprofit Consultant and Freelance Project Manager
Self-Employed
University of California, Los Angeles
Harvard University, MEd in Organizations, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship
Fine Arts, Music
Education, Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Sales and Client Management
Scholarship Recipient, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Balancing specialized skills with a wide service scope to attract clients.
2. Branding and marketing services effectively to convey expertise and value proposition.
3. Managing multiple client demands and prioritizing tasks to avoid overextension and burnout.
Transcript
What is your biggest challenge in your current role?
My biggest challenge in my current role is twofold. First, I am continually defining and redefining the services and products I offer to my clients.
I have a wide scope of work, but clients often look for specialists. While I have areas I consider myself a specialist in, I'm constantly learning how to brand and package my work so people better understand what I can accomplish for them.
The other challenge is managing my client load and understanding how to manage my time and demands, especially with four clients in a given week who might all need something at once. That can be very intense and exhausting.
It's important to continuously remember how to prioritize to meet my own needs and my clients' needs. There are always challenges, but understanding prioritization and not overextending myself is crucial.