Is your non-profit event destined for failure before it even starts?

A lot of time and months of planning often go into preparations for a non-profit event. The location, the food, the attendees, the giveaways... but is it all destined for failure before the event even starts?

In my line of business, I am fortunate to work with businesses of many types, from small business to local government agencies, to non-profits. I get to see what works and what doesn't.

Recently, I was asked to help out at an event. They were short on volunteers and needed help. So, I showed up, ready to pitch in where I could, but ended up standing around. This didn't end up being a bad thing tho.

I stood around and observed. I watched how the event was going, thought about the communication leading up to the event, listened to what the attendees of the event were saying. I was soaking it all in.

In the end, I deemed the event a failure, not because of the event itself, but the pieces that all came together to make the event. One person was in complete control, while the staff stood around, waiting for direction from this person before their next move. Everyone afraid to make a move on their own without getting prior verbal instruction. Why would they want an event like this? Why would they want those type of feelings spread around?

I thought about another non-profit I work with. It is like night and day. They continue to blow me away with everything they do. Their events are well planned out. They publicize leading up to the event. They have meetings before the event so everyone knows their role and what is expected of them. When you show up at the event, nobody (including the Executive Director) is running around in a panic because something did not go according to plan. They have already thought of the what ifs and planned for them accordingly.

Why don't all organizations do this? When I compare these two organizations, they are more similar than they are different. They are both non-profits. They both have small staffs. They both are trying to raise money for their respective causes. The only difference is the cause.

In the end, after helping out with the event, I totally felt like it was a waste of my time in being there, wasn't thanked, and chances of be helping out again are pretty slim.

Question: How do you ensure your event isn't a failure before it starts?

What a difference a week makes...

It's interesting what happens when you change your focus and energy. The week before last was a challenging one, one which had many trials and tribulations thrown at me, all at once. Then, something happened. I'm not sure what it was, or if God intervened, but I suddenly snapped out of my funk, the trials and tribulations thrown at me seemed miniscule, and it was time to get back to business and life.

I shifted my energy and focus back to the things that I wanted to get accomplished, both personally and professionally, and finished most of my to-do list. It felt amazing to finally get back on task.

The result... Last week was an amazing sales week. We ended up selling more equipment in the last week than in the previous three months, and this week is looking equally as good, if not better, in life!

I'm excited about my business again, excited about life, and sit amazed at all that I have accomplished in the last year, despite the trials.

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. - 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

Shift your energy and focus, and you'll be amazed at what happens. Look for the good and positive in your life. Focus on that.

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? - Romans 8:31

Needless to say, I'm looking forward to an upcoming business/marketing conference in Nashville next week!

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger...

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger... Stand a little taller...
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter... Footsteps even lighter...

It's Monday morning (again)... Where to start?!

Another dreaded word in the English language is Monday.

Monday used to be an exciting start to a brand-new, fresh week. Clean slate, fresh start and lots to accomplish. But the last few Mondays (every one for the last six months), is dreaded. Monday starts off with a million thoughts racing through my head, a million things that need to get done, but instead, I start off with reading the news and checking a few of my favorite blogs (ironically a few talk about productivity). Next thing you know, it's noon, then 3pm, then finally... 5pm rolls around. Yay Monday is done! But is it really? Now there are a million and one thoughts going through my head... the things that did NOT get done on Monday, and the new things that need to get done on Tuesday. Pretty soon, it's Friday, and looking back over the week, albeit a brief look, only a handful of things got done. Why?

This train needs to get back on the tracks, but where do I start? What gets done first? How do I handle the million things that need to get done... ok, maybe not a million, but some days it seems like it.

Welcome to Monday!

Cobwebs and dust...

Wow, having just looked at the site, the last post was back in January 2009... can't believe how time flies.

It's probably about time I clear up the dust and get rid of the cobwebs, and resume posts to this corner of the interwebs.

So much has gone on in the last few years, especially in the last six months, so stay tuned, as I'm sure there will be posts to catch you up on so we can get through 2012. Much like everything going on in my head right now, the question is and remains, "Where to start?".

Until then I think I need to probably check the settings here, and perhaps pick out a new look, seeing as how it hasn't been touched in a few years.

Lunch money...

...For those tough economic times. :)

In the car & at home...

I think cnn comsumes me.