Tuesday 28 February 2012

The true value of networking?

So here’s the opening statement – working for a charity opens up the true value behind networking.
Surely it’s the same for anyone networking? Maybe, but hear me out.
You see so many blogs, articles, tweets, and books about networking. Most of it focuses on changing people’s opinions on networking, especially those that think it’s a quick win. It’s not. It never is. And if it seems like a quick win, the chances are it will peeter out to nothing.
I’ve been to many networking meets, including BforB, 4N, Chamber of Commerce, BGS, Business Plus, and Business with Pleasure which is soon to be added to the list. I’ve met countless numbers of people and never have I had an instant result.
I recently read an article passed to me by a friend (Check her blog out), about how people should be connectors, not networkers. My interpretation of this fits perfectly with how I believe charities should “network”.
The great thing about any charity is the extensive and varied network of warm contacts. These are people that are naturally philanthropic and understand the values of helping, supporting and encouraging. This leaves us charity workers with a distinct advantage – we are connectors.
What better way to gain the support of a “cold” company than to appeal to their entrepreneurial mind. Companies are always looking to network and find business through referrals, so let’s start sharing our networks.
When I meet with a company representative, I will always ask what they are looking for. Usually they misunderstand the question and answer “well I’m looking to support a local charity”. Great. I know that. I want to know what your business needs to function at a higher level, I want to know who you want to talk to and how I can help you do more in return for the generosity they have offered.
The penny drops and they open up. 
“Well, we need a photographer for a PR exercise” great – Terry Mc.

“I want a lead into schools to promote our service” Even better – Support our world record attempt.

“we want a team building event with a fundraising element” – Jackpot –Espionage

“I’m looking for a marketing agency to help with our latest product” – WhaleMarketing
My point? Always scratch beneath the surface. People have expectations and stereotypes of  charities, not realising that we have a wealth of knowledge, contacts and experience beyond shaking buckets and packing bags.

Networking is about building relationships, sharing contacts and linking business. It’s not about “me me me”. Take on this attitude and the direct result for any organisation is income.

Don’t believe me? Get in touch and I will show you how working with me and The Children’s Air Ambulance can help you. 

Ultimately, networking with a charity can prove to be a vital resource.

Keep an eye out for my next blog – that one will be a little less serious and you’ll see an insight into some of the hilarious sides of this great job – especially when a Freudian slip shows it’s ugly head!

Wednesday 15 February 2012

in·spi·ra·tion; Noun; an inspiring or animating action or influence

What is inspiration?

Believe it or not, it's actually the "act of inhaling", although dictionary.com doesn't show any real value to it's true meaning. 

So how did it develop into the inspiration we so widely refer to these days? According to Lucia Zambrini, it developed from the idea that we breathe life into things. Perfectly understandable given the modern day definition of inspiration. 

So why am I talking about inspiration? Well, inspiration is at the heart of everything we do. In Psychology (particularly Health Psychology), they are always trying to bridge the "Intention - Behaviour" gap. In plain English, that's the moment when you think you would love to go to the gym every morning before work, but actually, you end up just staying in bed (I know... I’ve been there!). My thinking is that inspiration is that bridge between an intention and a behaviour, and let me explain why...

While in college I had always intended on doing some good - volunteering for a worthy cause (I know that link was a cheap sales pitch for my charity, shh, don't tell anyone) - but I had never got round to it. I spent all day at college "working hard" and had to catch two buses back home which took up a lot of time and energy, so I just never bothered. But then I was inspired. Unfortunately, this inspiration was born out of the loss of a lovely person, but ultimately it drove me to where I am now. That inspiration drove a number of people to do the same thing.

I got involved with an amazing event (yes another cheap link, but take a look, it might change your life), which ignited my passion for fundraising. You will find with any job or activity that motivation begins to fade after the "honeymoon" period, but I will challenge you to ask any fundraiser if that's the case with their jobs.

There is no end of inspiration in this field, from the people you meet to the stories you hear, face to face, in real time, and on your doorstep or end of the phone, all day, every day. Yes, we have moments when you just want to bury your head and give up - it's not an easy job! But it's those people that keep you going. Let me give you a great example...

I met an incredible young boy that I heard about through colleagues of mine. I met him in an usual circumstance, I mean, how many 11 year old boys do you know that would stand up in front of hundreds upon hundreds of professional fundraisers and tell their story?

The story starts with a young man who had sadly been suffering with an inoperable brain tumour, meaning his time with us was limited. His inspiration began in hospital where he met another young man that had terminal cancer, and this is where Help Harry Help Others was born.

This quote says it all:

"When my friend Robert Harley became very ill because of his brain tumour I set up my campaign Help Harry Help Others. I started making and selling bracelets in the hope that I would raise enough money for brain tumour research so that I could help get my friend better"

Harry found his inspiration from the suffering of another person, who sadly died shortly after Harry started his campaign. Since then, Harry helped to raise thousands and thousands of pounds for research into Brain tumours.

It's at this point where the audience felt humbled by Harry's story... then came the bombshell... Harry said:

"I have made you all a bracelet to take with you. Whenever you have a bad day at work and you feel like giving up and going home, use my bracelet to remember why you do what you do. People like me are still alive because of people like you"

400+ professionals that deal with cancer stories all day every day...

...not a single dry eye in the room.

And as good as his word, Harry handed everybody one of his bracelets.

I still have my bracelet nearly a year on, and I still use it for the purpose Harry intended. It's inspiration that bridges that gap between Intention and Behaviour. Those days when I have a 4am start and 12 hour day, travelling over 200miles (at the time of writing - much like tomorrow), it's things like Harry's bracelet that get me out of bed with a smile on my face.

Sadly, Harry lost is battle to cancer in October last year. His legacy lives on in the form of Inspiration in millions of people in the UK and beyond:


So where is all of this going?

Whatever it is you need to do, find your inspiration. Without inspiration, you won't act. Nothing is impossible...

Tuesday 14 February 2012

Bloggin' 'Ell

So here I am... joining the world of the bloggers. But why?

Well, quite frankly, I was told to. After having attended a great talk from a social media expert based in Manchester, I felt the need to join the movement. Let's face it, it's hardly going to win any awards, but hopefully you will find it engaging and interesting.

So what's the point? For me, it's an outlet that relieves my girlfriend and immediate family from my endless twittering (yes that's a different story, but since I mentioned it, @TCAADave. Ta.) about work.

I intend to post something weekly about the life of a fundraiser, past, present and future that you will find comical, inspiring and useful. I'll provide links to great resources, interesting stories and amazing people that fundraisers have the pleasure of meeting every single day.

One thing I have learnt, amongst all of the animosity in human life - there are some incredible people that make up for it, with some amazing stories.

Hold on to your hats...

Ok, maybe hold on to them for next week's post about my one inspirational meeting with Harry Mosely

Dave.