A common advancement team complaint can sound like this: “It takes too long to get something approved.”
Think campaign case statement and materials.
Or, a magazine.
Or, an e-newsletter.
Or, a direct mail solicitation letter.
Or, even an event invitation.
When this type of concern is voiced, what normally comes next is a focus on the process of decision-making. It’s too convoluted. The process changes mid-stream. Or, there is no process.
And, while the decision-making process can be a concern, another simple question highlights an even more important aspect of timely and logical work-flow.
“Who is the decision-maker?”
If the most consistent answer to this question is either, “I’m not sure,” or, “The President/CEO/Dean/V.P./Executive Director is the decider,” then the problem is not fundamentally the process.
The real issue at hand is that the decider either hasn’t been clearly communicated or is the wrong person.
Of course, the decision-making process matters in getting pieces approved and shipped on time. But if people don’t understand who the final decider is, or if all work seemingly must go to the top before being shipped, the process will be broken.
If this concern is a familiar one for you and your team, the next time you are planning the creation of a communications piece, simply ask the question, “who is the decider on this?”
This one simple question might prompt some helpful discussion.
