Author: whatifconcepts

Empowering those that inspire so they can excel at the work that matters.

Strangers

I appreciate the post by Seth Godin today who discusses the dangers of relying on strangers to fuel your enterprise.  It reminds me of social sector organizations that are willing to invest significant organizational time and resources chasing grants from foundations and federal enterprises which they have no connection instead of speaking to their committed fans.  It is far easier to pin ones hopes to the unknown since the personal risk is minimal but the greatest reward comes from asking the most committed to increase their contribution.  Typically those who deeply support your cause are willing to think about transformational gifts versus an entity that does not run on emotion but rather measures it progress based on criteria and a mandate.  Where are you spending your time?

Big Fish

There is a great philosophy presented Lama Surya Das in his book, Buddha Standard Time.  He speaks about the importance of not keeping each fish you catch metaphorically, but holding onto the big fish that you truly seek.  Would you recognize the big fish you are seeking if you caught it?  Are you easily distracted but whatever pulls on your line?

“The little fish are our momentary desires, ambitions, and goals: fortune, fame, pleasure, comfort, and other fleeting experiences.  None of these can last.  Yet we cling to them as if they will endure forever.  The big fish is finding our eternal dream.  Too many people fail to find the overarching purpose of their lives.”                                         -Lama Surya Das

Your In or Your Out

Trip to Disney World or Disneyland- are you in or out?  Most people can make that decision in a second.  Why?  Because Disney has defined what they stand for better than most organizations.  There are those who have their mouse ears on and already update their Google+ status.  Others would be halfway into their, ‘you would not catch me in a Disney park if I was dead’ speech.  No judgement on your reaction but this is a perfect example of an enterprise that has defined its purpose.  Most people know what they think already.  Does your community react the same way to your cause?  Do you know who is in or out?

For those who are undecided, here is a link to three behind the scenes tours that Guy Kawasaki took recently: Disneyland Dream Suite, Club 33, and Walt Disney’s Apartment.  If you are clicking the links you are probably in.

Context

I read an article that asked the interviewee for a wish.  The respondent said that they wished, ‘a different political party was in control of congress in Washington, DC.’  A wish that probably resonates with half the population at any moment in time.  The issue is that the comment was made before the last congressional elections and the political leadership has switched parties.  Now the statement reads differently than intended.  Had the interviewee been specific and said which party they wished to see in power then the meaning would have weathered current events with a little more grace.  Context is important.  Painting a detailed picture about what you believe typically lasts longer than a vague suggestion.

$1 Coupon

 My father-in-law will not shop at a local market because they would not honor a coupon that he brought in a couple years ago.  He tells everyone about his experience and recommends they shop elsewhere.  I am certain the market has not idea of my father-in-law’s name and has experienced no real discernible loss of revenue but how much marketing must the market create to overcome one former customer who had a bad experience?  If you shop online and read customer reviews, how many low scores do you need to see before you move on to another product or website?  I find that it is the really dissatified customer reviews that I read to see if it the problem is the product or the experience.

How do you handle those who will not recommend your cause?  Do you know their names?  Have you ever called them up and asked them to tell their stories?  What do you have to lose if you invest some time in people who were once fans?

Preach what you know. Share when you have more than you need. Give when the opportunity presents itself.

Simon Sinek  
An interesting way to think about engaging your talent, treasure, time, and touch.  How do you decide when and how to share your talents?  What conversations are you having with your fans and supporters about how to engage their best?           

Linked Social Media Platforms

Should my Google+ account automatically update on Facebook and Twitter?  Or is each a unique platform that needs to be cultivated with posts and activity that best reflect their individual strengths?  How are you managing all your social media platforms?  Are they linked?  Who are you following?  How do they share information that you find valuable?

There is a lot of debate right now on what is the preferred strategy.  Many nonprofits are looking at Google+ because some see it a more advantageous to fundraising, communication, and coordination.  What is your enterprise’s strategy?

Another Reason For Term Limits

A board chair welcomed new board members to an organization by asking them what they wanted to achieve during their four year term.  He would listen and then add their goal to a matrix that summarized all the other board member’s outcomes.  Next to each board member’s name was a countdown timer that listed years, months, days, and hours.  The timer reflected the amount of time left on each board member’s term.  It was an active document that he would display on a screen at the start of each board meeting.  It brought immediate focus with a certain deadline.

What outcomes would you be willing to put on a countdown timer?