Are You Working on Somebody Else’s Problem?
You are if your modus operandi is fire fighter.
Because, let’s be real, you’re mostly putting out fires set by other people.
It may make you feel like a hero, but it’s not the best way to approach your job on a daily basis. Let me explain by asking you to answer these questions:
- Do you find yourself spending most of your time responding to other people’s crises?
- Is your day consumed with disruptive activities?
- Do you answer email all day long?
- Do you immediately respond to texts and voicemail?
- Are you constantly reacting, with little time left for acting?
If so, you (and most likely your co-workers too) are probably not doing the important preventive work that must be done so these urgent fires don’t break out.
Prevent vs. Fight
Anyone can fight a fire; “Only YOU can prevent [forest] fires.”
So, get out of the trees for a minute, take a perch at the top of a hill, and get a panoramic birds-eye view of your organization’s forest. Look for the places where danger lurks and fires might break out. For example (this is a non-exclusive list), it could be the way:
If you’ve never read management and marketing guru 
Have you been struggling with whether – and how – to incorporate generative artificial intelligence (AI; ChatGPT) into your work? Or perhaps you’ve been worrying your job will soon be obsolete?
Early in my career I received a piece of fundraising advice that has stuck with me to this day:
Have you ever received confoundingly terrible customer service? Maybe at a restaurant, hotel, fast food restaurant or retail outlet? It happens all the time and, likely, you’ve thought to yourself: “Why on earth are they treating me like this? It’s so stupid! Don’t they realize I’ll never come here again?”
Today a friend, who serves on the board of a struggling local arts organization, asked me what they can do to increase their fundraising. I asked her a few questions; then answered simply: “Have more conversations with people; make more friends.”
Did you ever wonder if there is a foolproof way to communicate with donors?
Annual reports don’t have to be dry as dust. In fact, the most effective ones are not financial reports; they’re a story with the donor at the center. And they inspire action.
For many nonprofits, the yearly annual report is often just another task on a very long to-do list. Most charities are juggling a lot—development, program maintenance, fundraising, and more—and the annual report can feel like yet another mandatory routine project. One that often gets handled at the last minute without much intentional care and effort.
Okay, I recently let folks know I’d “finagled” a discount for them. After one reader told me the word “finagle” means “to obtain something by devious or dishonest means,” I sent an apologetic “Ruh Roh” email. I received a lot of forgiving feedback. Thank you! Many of you kindly supported my initial use of the word “finagle.” Apparently, there is more than one definition.
This Thursday folks in the United States will celebrate what I consider to be the social benefit sector holiday of the year.
In 2018, WSJ columnist Christopher Mims observed:
Have you started working on your annual appeal and year-end fundraising plan?
This year Giving Tuesday is November 29th. So, soon.
In 
You’ve got one month before fall fundraising season begins in earnest.
Babies can teach you the same thing.
You bet!
I had a fundraising post all ready to launch today, but I just couldn’t do it.
Here’s the deal: When you match people to environments or roles congruent with their skills, knowledge and strengths, they’ll do better.
What I have for you is something you can do this week (or you can pick another week on your calendar that isn’t already overfilled with appointments, assignments, meetings and what-not). It’s really simple and really powerful. There’s one catch: you have to put aside 45 minutes/day for five days. If you’re resistant to change, read no further. This post isn’t for you. If, however, you have a hunch you might be able to move from good to great, then… read on (oh, and there’s a little bonus ‘gift’ at the end).
I’m excited to share three easy tips with you, and the results are measurable. Do these things and you’ll be able to tell if they impact your bottom line!
For this year’s appeal, are you shooting from the hip?
TRUTH BOMB:
I know you’re working on calendar year-end fundraising right now.
Whatever side of the political spectrum you’re on, the photo below is triggering.
The modern model is more like a vortex — an energized circle where everyone is equal. People move in and out as needed, and your job is to keep the energy flowing.