I’ve served on several board of directors for several non-profits. I’ve also had the unique opportunity of working in the director capacity for a couple of non-profit organizations. And they are in bad need of a mind shift! Or, put more plainly - they need an attitude adjustment! For some reason, several non-profits think it’s okay to build a relationship and connect with others when you need something (like a sponsor, to sell some tables to an event, get a banner or infiltrate an organization). In fact, I’ve heard such mind boggling comments from the mouths of non-profit leaders such as
There’s too much value placed on relationships.
That spoken from a lady in charge of a University development outreach! By the way, she’s also the same
person who said to a group of local board members:
We really don’t need to know what local people think
Another, wow, right?! Or, this is another one that just stunned me when I heard it
There’s no need to network if you don’t need anything
Again, this comment came from the Director of Development for a large health foundation.
Or how about this one, uttered from the mouth of a director of regional fundraising to her team:
It really doesn’t matter who you are - you’re interchangeable. They’re giving to the organization and the cause not to you.
Riveting, right?! I’m compelled to give her something - I just don’t think it will be the donations or volunteer resources that she’s seeking.
Non-profits are the biggest losers when they don’t slow down and be reflective to be productive. The leaders of the organization run around “like chickens with their heads cut off” from one activity to the next, one event to the next, one “ask” to the next. It’s vital for the person or people leading the non-profit to know what their unique brand is (their strengths, attributes and personal mission) and how that all delivers on the mission and promise of the organization.
I heard this one yesterday:
We’re just after donors and investors. I don’t need to know how to network - I’ve got that down when it’s time for me to sell. I need people with deep pockets who can give.
Do you really think that the most effective way for you to work is to go door to door or belly to belly with everyone that you’re seeking as your PERFECT DONOR (PERFECT CUSTOMER) and meet them, have to develop a relationship with them, have them sample your character and competence, build trust and then get them to donate or purchase? Do you really think that you doing that all by your lonesome is the BEST and MOST EFFECTIVE way to do business or garner donations? How many people do you think in any given day could you meet with? How LONG would it take to get them from someone that you met COLD to someone who trusts you explicitly and gives you all their business or money?
I prefer and coach clients to WORK SMARTER NOT HARDER. Yet, in order to do that you must build relationships. And, in our time deprived society, which there are many technological advances that can help us work faster and many shortcuts that can be taken - you cannot microwave relationships. Relationships take time.
Consider this for working effectively: You’ve established a great relationship with the head of an accounting firm. You’ve worked together for years, belong to the same mastermind group, traveled together to conferences and even buy good books for each other when you see something that would of been of interest to the other. Now, you ask your friend - do you know someone that would be interested in investing in this project or organization (explain the project or the non-profit organization)? You share - I’ve done my due diligence and checked out, if they’re a non-profit, how well they utilize the funds they raised, the percentage used for fundraising, the amount of money that stays locally, the percentage used for administration/operation- and I’m seeking to help them reach this goal. And, your friend says - why yes, you need to connect with “JOHN DOE”. You ask: would you set up a meeting, or a get together over lunch or coffee, and visit with them about this?
How much higher does your credibility level weigh in when a person who is already a trusted advisor to the person you want to connect with - introduces you, promotes you and even recommends you? You spend more of the time going over the intricacies of the deal as opposed to having to build up your credibility.
Me, I HAVE a LIFE. So, I would rather work SMARTER! If you would like the know how to master your relationship marketing edge, then this is your personal invite to attend this teleseminar!
People Are The Brand -
Maria Elena Duron - click my name to Google Me!
Buzz To Bucks Connections– grow your personal brand today
“connecting the dots for executives and entrepreneurs to move from frantic pursuit to success and balance by using what makes them best”
www.buzz2bucks.com Buzz To Bucks Connections |a personal branding agency
I would not believe some of these comments if I did not hear them myself.
I have worked in the volunteer blood donation business for the last 12 years. I call it a ‘business’ because what I am seeing is a business, not non-profits working for the common good of fellow Americans. For example, the CEO and President of United Blood Services makes over $500,000 per year and I don’t even know what this guy does other than “interact with the board” and serve as president of the AABB. He certainly never comes to see us in the regions and see how operations can be improved. Blood now cost over $225.00 a pint, and platelets cost over $600.00 for a dose (less than a pint).
Employees at United Blood Services, and the American Red Cross are treated very harshly. These businesses have enormous turn-over rates in their donor recruitment departments. They force constant pressure and unreasonable expectations on donor recruitment as donor populations continue to decline. As blood needs rise, and profit for the senior executives increases, they constantly harass workers in donor recruitment to produce more and more blood to “sell” and gain market share. Many different blood centers compete for business at area hospitals, and for the donor base in those areas. These blood centers are competing for market share to increase profits for who? No, not stock holders or Board of Directors, but for the corporate elite who run the blood companies.
Having worked in this business for many years, and seeing the carnage these organizations wreck on workers I can honestly say these are some of the most unethical organizations around. People donate blood freely in an honest attempt to help others, and their blood is used as a raw material to make profit for already rich executives who treat their work force no better than slave labor.
A new meaning to the term “Blood Money” and something that should be investigated by the IRS and the United States Congress.