What are the hurdles you are facing in your work life today? What are the problems keeping you from reaching your Far Edge of Promise? Go ahead, list them. Not enough budget? Not the right people on the team? Not enough people on the team? Too much bureaucracy? A micro-managing boss? Support staff that doesn’t…
Category: Leadership
Getting What You Want By Giving What They Want
So our good friends at The National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia have released the findings from their latest national survey of marital happiness. They surveyed 1,400 married couples and found that the level of generosity – or the amount of give and take that goes on in the relationship – is a…
Alleviating “Ask Fright”
We’ve all heard of stage fright – that fear that grips a performer when the lights come on and the audience is watching intently. A favorite method of alleviating stage fright is to take the focus off of yourself as the performer. Instead, acting coaches will encourage the performer to focus on the audience. “Imagine…
Why a Donor-Centered Approach Is Wrong
Over the last decade, the concept of “donor-centered” fundraising has gained traction for institutions of all sizes. Books have been written on the topic and a Google search of the phrase turned up 364,000 results! The idea – that all institutional activities and behaviors should be concentrated and focused in ways that best serve donors…
Working On Vs.Working For
Do you focus more on what you are working on or what you are working for? What we are working on could be a mailing, setting up visits, getting prepared for Board meetings, etc. On the other hand, what we are working for are the big outcomes we are aiming to achieve. Strengthening our institutions…
The Rise of Fe-lanthropy
Recently, frogloop posted a story about the rise of the she-conomy. A story that should remind us that donors are not a monolithic category of people. Homogeneous groups, based on important variables, as well as all individuals, approach philanthropy differently. Our role as advancement leaders is to build the knowledge and capacity of our institutions…
How Generous Is Your Institution?
As development professionals, our work is focused on encouraging generosity in others. We rarely pause to assess (at least publicly) our institution’s level of generosity. I think we miss an important point when we go about our business in this way. Think about this: We tell our faculty/staff/doctors/etc. that the “family campaign” is important because…
Solve Their Problems
What problems do your prospects and donors have? What concerns do they carry? What issues are they facing? Do you know? Do you seek out their problems so that you can help solve them? They might not want to tell you about their problems (or they may not even know they have a problem!). So,…
What If Time Was Booked As A Gift
More and more I run across thoughtful and sophisticated advancement leaders who question the value of volunteers. I’m not talking about the volunteers who plan a charity auction or help out with a fun run. I’m talking about volunteers who help with personal solicitations on major and planned gift prospects. I’m talking about Campaign volunteer…
Giving Through
My friend and consulting colleague, Jim Langley, likes to talk about the principle of “giving through.” Here is a simple question for you to consider: Do you ask your donors to give to your institution? Or. . . Do you ask your donors to give through your institution to your students, patients, clients, etc? Simple,…