by Lori Richardson on July 29, 2010
Do you have a Mighty Cause you champion outside of your career? Perhaps your Mighty Cause is integrated into your work? For me, helping entrepreneurs and small business owners grow their revenues, and helping nonprofits grow funds IS my professional career and main cause.
Whether you volunteer as a Big Sister or Big Brother, donate to charity events, or make donations online, you need to know that many not-for-profits (in particular the smaller ones) don’t often think like a business – which can cause a lot of struggle, stress, and lower operating dollars.
When I say to “think like a business” – I mean that good non-profits need MORE money coming in than going out – first and foremost. Here are a few other points to think about – and talk to your favorite cause to make sure they are maximizing their time and efforts:
- They need to contact their constituents more than just when you want something from them
- They need to set goals and objectives working off of a mission and vision for the charity
- They need to clearly state who they are and build their brand to gain more supporters
- They need good tax and financial advice so their efforts won’t be in vein
- They need to work on donor retention as well as finding new donors on an ongoing basis
- They need a solid board of advisers or directors
What cause do you champion? If it is not a huge non-profit, are there ways they could be more effective and manage their funds better? Why not offer your ideas to them and help them grow?
Post your thoughts – it will help others.
by Lori Richardson on July 25, 2010
I’m in Austin today and heading to Dallas tomorrow to give talk at a leadership conference on communication and presentation. My big point, and theme for the talk is built around George Bernard Shaw’s quote,
“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”
Think about it. All communication challenges stem from this. We think we have communicated, and the other party did not receive it well, did not even receive it, put on their own filter, didn’t like what they heard so are responding accordingly, or some other issue.
We need better checks and balances when it comes to communication. Some ideas for starters:
Ask people the best way to reach them and the best times to reach them. Anyone under 30 is typically texting (almost exclusively) and many over 45 either rarely text (just to their kids, usually) or occasionally do.
Some people want instant information, others don’t want to hear from you over the weekend if it is business-related.
Many clients respond well to emails – but some still prefer the telephone. Meet them where they are – as long as it is effective for both of you.
I met up with amazing digital strategist and PR maven Nettie Hartsock while here in Austin. For several reasons in and out of my control I was running way late, and thought I had her cell phone but it was her office number. I wondered if she’d see a tweet or an email – not knowing if she had a smart phone. Ultimately, she emailed me with her cell phone number and we did meet up – but I felt that was something I definitely should have had together prior to that day.
Today I’m meeting another amazing colleague – and yes, I have three phone numbers to reach her at, including her cell phone. I’m ready. Are you?
What areas could you clean up your communication? Post your thoughts – we’ll push them out to the world.
How do you communicate?
by Lori Richardson on July 14, 2010
When I was in my 20’s I went river rafting for the first time. I didn’t go on just any-old river for my first time, but instead went on a river that had from Class III to Class V rapids in the Pacific Northwest.
It was such a crazy trip, even our guide fell into the rapids! You know that is bad when your leader is down. I was scared. She was our leader, and the rest of us were strangers – and none of us had any experience at all. What a trip that was.
At one point, when our guide was back in the boat, we went through a particularly rocky part of the trip.
“OK, you guys – nobody fall in here!!” she exclaimed, as we all wrapped our suddenly stronger legs under the inflated sides of the boat. I don’t think I ever held on tighter to anything in life.
Some folks I’m talking to these days have been on a very rocky ride keeping their small business afloat – restaurants and retailers have changed up how they are doing business. Higher end products have had big sale offerings, and lower priced lines of clothing and other “nice to have” products have been rolled out to keep dollars rolling in.
Now is not the time to fall out of this boat – wrap your feet around the sides – get good guidance, and you will find a way to make it.
Lori Richardson is on a “Small Business Innovation” tour around the U.S. and parts of Canada. If you know of a town she should visit, or a local expert she can co-present with, drop her a note. Set your big audacious goals and post them for the world to see – then take action on them. More on Lori and the tour at Small Biz Innovators.
