You know how I like to connect with my readers. I got a delightful email from Jon Carole Gilbreath in Tyler TX. As a Chairman Elect of the Smith County Chapter of the American Red Cross, she attended my recent workshop there for United Way.
She has a fascinating blog about cooking (and life) and was kind enough to include the following mention. When you finished her blog, read "the rest of the story."
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
TAKE TIME TO LOOK AROUND, BE KIND AND OFFER A HELPING HAND
Long day and evening! Our Red Cross Board meeting was tonight at 6 p.m., and lasted over the normal hour - lots of good discussion and ideas! Another single family fire this afternoon! Still taking military calls - just hope they don't last until after 11 p.m. tonight. I am totally exhausted!
I was telling you about the book I am reading "Let's Have Lunch Together" and it is fascinating. It is about building relationships - and how to do that is to get to know a person - not try to be friends but get to know them and let them know you until there is a trust and respect for one another.
The idea to ask personal questions is something I used to admire and marvel at in a friend of ours. Jack would meet a complete stranger and before he left - he most likely knew what they did for a living, how many kids they had - and possibly how much money they made doing whatever they did. I was amazed that people would answer him -- but he knew the principal of building relationships! Still amazing - but I am trying to learn!
She has learned quite a lot! As Chairman Elect, she is reaching out to her fellow board members. She called one person who was not very active and, as she said, "made a visit." Because they connected, this board member attended the next meeting and is much more willing to participate.
Click here to go to the blog and happy cooking!
I will be back in Tyler, Friday, May 21, for a joint United Way / Chamber of Commerce workshop, "The Key to Success. Click here for more information
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Great Fundraising Story
Recently, I went to a breakfast with donors who have left planned gifts to the sponsoring organization. One of the planned giving officers told us about his early years with the nonprofit:
About 40 years ago, when I was in my 20's my first assignment was to visit the railroad president. He was a supporter but we hadn't heard from him for a while.
So I made an appointment and stopped by. I've been in impressive offices but this was overwhelming. His walls were filled with the heads of big game he had shot all over the world.
I looked around and decided to start a conversation about the biggest one. He told me all about where he went and how the hunt was conducted.
The next month I went in to visit him and we chatted about another trophy. This went on for a few months. Then we opened the paper one day and found out he died. My boss said, 'Well, I guess we'll see how you did and what was left to us."
We were given all the trophies. The moral of the story is to be sure to make an ask!
I agree! You will need to be specific and when you get to know someone well enough, you will know exactly what to ask for. Or you will be lucky enough to be the recipient of the "pressure-free ask" and your prospect will ask, "How can I help you?"
About 40 years ago, when I was in my 20's my first assignment was to visit the railroad president. He was a supporter but we hadn't heard from him for a while.
So I made an appointment and stopped by. I've been in impressive offices but this was overwhelming. His walls were filled with the heads of big game he had shot all over the world.
I looked around and decided to start a conversation about the biggest one. He told me all about where he went and how the hunt was conducted.
The next month I went in to visit him and we chatted about another trophy. This went on for a few months. Then we opened the paper one day and found out he died. My boss said, 'Well, I guess we'll see how you did and what was left to us."
We were given all the trophies. The moral of the story is to be sure to make an ask!
I agree! You will need to be specific and when you get to know someone well enough, you will know exactly what to ask for. Or you will be lucky enough to be the recipient of the "pressure-free ask" and your prospect will ask, "How can I help you?"
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Finally, a big company agrees with me . . .
I always say that cars are sold on emotion - the smell, the feel, the style - it's all there to entice you. It's not appealing to your rational brain!
For those of you who have been to one of my speeches or workshops, I do an interactive exercise with the audience around buying cars.
The new BMW commercial says " It's what you make people feel that's as important as what you build!"
My sentiments exactly.
For those of you who have been to one of my speeches or workshops, I do an interactive exercise with the audience around buying cars.
The new BMW commercial says " It's what you make people feel that's as important as what you build!"
My sentiments exactly.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Media Tip from a Pro
A pr whiz from Chicago, Tom Ciesielka, offers this media tip which follows my advice to spend time with people on their agenda!
Here's his comment:
About 99 percent of the time, we are asking reporters for things we want. What do you think would happen if we asked reporters what they want? GASP! The end of the world?! No. More often than not, I've found that reporters will appreciate your interest in knowing exactly the topics they are writing about and sources they are looking for. It helps you find the right fit and makes the reporter happy, for at least a little while. If it doesn't make them happy, I hear reporters like Ferraris.
Reply to Tom Ciesielka at tc@tcpr.net or check him out at http://www.tcpr.net/index.php
Thanks Tom, I think this is invaluable because it changes the typical mindset!
Here's his comment:
About 99 percent of the time, we are asking reporters for things we want. What do you think would happen if we asked reporters what they want? GASP! The end of the world?! No. More often than not, I've found that reporters will appreciate your interest in knowing exactly the topics they are writing about and sources they are looking for. It helps you find the right fit and makes the reporter happy, for at least a little while. If it doesn't make them happy, I hear reporters like Ferraris.
Reply to Tom Ciesielka at tc@tcpr.net or check him out at http://www.tcpr.net/index.php
Thanks Tom, I think this is invaluable because it changes the typical mindset!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Relationships over resumes
In the last year, I've been coaching my out-of-work friends, relatives and clients on how to make the best impression during their interviews.
My advice is simple: connect, connect, connect. People hire someone, not just because they have a good skill set, but on the strength of the way they feel the person will fit into the organization and onto the team.
One of my friends is an accountant. He wanted to tell prospective employers that he was a hard worker, had experience in taking companies public, etc. That was evident from his past jobs; laid out on his resume. He had to connect with the CEO who was interviewing for a new CFO. I coached him on how to uncover the CEO's hobbies, interests, values and then match them up with his. After a few hours, he got the concept and landed the job.
You see, the advice to connect is simple but the execution is not. The underlying tenet is that "emotion motivates and information justifies."
By the way, the title of this blog was taken from am interview in the Los Angeles Times with Jason Reitman Oscar-nominated director of "Up in the Air." He said, "I want a shorthand. I believe in relationships over resume. . .Things are going to get tough . . .and you have to question who you want to be standing next to when they do.
Sounds like a concept that applies to almost anything!
My advice is simple: connect, connect, connect. People hire someone, not just because they have a good skill set, but on the strength of the way they feel the person will fit into the organization and onto the team.
One of my friends is an accountant. He wanted to tell prospective employers that he was a hard worker, had experience in taking companies public, etc. That was evident from his past jobs; laid out on his resume. He had to connect with the CEO who was interviewing for a new CFO. I coached him on how to uncover the CEO's hobbies, interests, values and then match them up with his. After a few hours, he got the concept and landed the job.
You see, the advice to connect is simple but the execution is not. The underlying tenet is that "emotion motivates and information justifies."
By the way, the title of this blog was taken from am interview in the Los Angeles Times with Jason Reitman Oscar-nominated director of "Up in the Air." He said, "I want a shorthand. I believe in relationships over resume. . .Things are going to get tough . . .and you have to question who you want to be standing next to when they do.
Sounds like a concept that applies to almost anything!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Taking Away Silos
Last week, I was listening to NPR and I heard an Washington politician talk about the old days. He said that elected officials would hang out at night in some of DC's famous watering holes, have dinner together and on the weekends, they would go to parties together.
Not now! They leave town every weekend and, during the week, they stay in their own camps. The result? A very polarized Senate and House. Our representatives do not get to know each other on a personal, casual basis. Without that relationship, they can't cross party and policy lines to work together.
A similar story was told to me recently by a Board member. She said her Board members rarely saw each other or the staff outside the board meetings. In addition, the meetings were so tightly organized that people didn't even have much of an exchange at the meeting!
I suggested that they have a potluck barbecue at someone's house so they could all get to know each other better, as people. That would make working together smoother and a lot more fun!
Anyone for a big barbecue in DC?
Not now! They leave town every weekend and, during the week, they stay in their own camps. The result? A very polarized Senate and House. Our representatives do not get to know each other on a personal, casual basis. Without that relationship, they can't cross party and policy lines to work together.
A similar story was told to me recently by a Board member. She said her Board members rarely saw each other or the staff outside the board meetings. In addition, the meetings were so tightly organized that people didn't even have much of an exchange at the meeting!
I suggested that they have a potluck barbecue at someone's house so they could all get to know each other better, as people. That would make working together smoother and a lot more fun!
Anyone for a big barbecue in DC?
Thursday, January 7, 2010
MH&A and COMMUNITY ACTION
It was one of the moments of "kismet." For years, Tim Reese, a very forward-thinking association executive, head of California/Nevada Community Action Partnership /The State CAA Association and I have been friends. We visit each other and talk about the world and personal issues in general and tried to work together a few times.
Nothing seemed to click until he was watching a wecast about the recovery funds and said, "I'd like to do something like this to tell the world what we are doing."
Say no more. . . our agency joined him to outline how we could use the power of the web to tell emotionally engaging stories.
As I travel the country, I find most nonprofits do not know about their local Community Action agency. These are very dynamic agencies and great partners with other nonprofits in their town.
Here's a recent news bulletin about this project:
FULFILLING THE PROMISE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROJECT GAINS MOMENTUM – 25 AGENCIES PARTICIPATING
Thanks to the leadership of Tim Reese and Biz Steinberg, Cal/Neva’s “first of its kind” education and outreach campaign, to show how Community Action Agencies are fulfilling the promise of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), is flourishing.
Tim saw the importance of telling the American public how Community Action is using ARRA funds to help people back to work, help those low-income and vulnerable people, and help families and children cope with and survive during our economic downturn. Cal/Neva, in partnership with colleagues at Marshall Howard and Associates, specifically Mike James MHA’s Vice President of Program Development, has produced numerous video spots showing ARRA dollars at work, providing jobs, training, and essential services. See the Fulfilling The Promise work to date by visiting www.fulfillingthepromise-us.org
More than 20 Cal/Neva agencies currently participate in the exciting Fulfilling the Promise Educational and Outreach Project. As part of the participation package, at all three levels, the logo, depicting a butterfly representing hope, transformation and renewal, created under the direction of Trever Barker of T-Dogg Studios, www.tdoggstudios.com is available for use.
Last September, Tim Reese, Mike James, Marshall Howard, and Richard Lemire presented an overview of the “Fulfilling The Promise” project at the Philadelphia National CAP Conference, garnering significant interest and enthusiasm at a national level.
Nothing seemed to click until he was watching a wecast about the recovery funds and said, "I'd like to do something like this to tell the world what we are doing."
Say no more. . . our agency joined him to outline how we could use the power of the web to tell emotionally engaging stories.
As I travel the country, I find most nonprofits do not know about their local Community Action agency. These are very dynamic agencies and great partners with other nonprofits in their town.
Here's a recent news bulletin about this project:
FULFILLING THE PROMISE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROJECT GAINS MOMENTUM – 25 AGENCIES PARTICIPATING
Thanks to the leadership of Tim Reese and Biz Steinberg, Cal/Neva’s “first of its kind” education and outreach campaign, to show how Community Action Agencies are fulfilling the promise of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), is flourishing.
Tim saw the importance of telling the American public how Community Action is using ARRA funds to help people back to work, help those low-income and vulnerable people, and help families and children cope with and survive during our economic downturn. Cal/Neva, in partnership with colleagues at Marshall Howard and Associates, specifically Mike James MHA’s Vice President of Program Development, has produced numerous video spots showing ARRA dollars at work, providing jobs, training, and essential services. See the Fulfilling The Promise work to date by visiting www.fulfillingthepromise-us.org
More than 20 Cal/Neva agencies currently participate in the exciting Fulfilling the Promise Educational and Outreach Project. As part of the participation package, at all three levels, the logo, depicting a butterfly representing hope, transformation and renewal, created under the direction of Trever Barker of T-Dogg Studios, www.tdoggstudios.com is available for use.
Last September, Tim Reese, Mike James, Marshall Howard, and Richard Lemire presented an overview of the “Fulfilling The Promise” project at the Philadelphia National CAP Conference, garnering significant interest and enthusiasm at a national level.
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