Mapping out your Career!

It has been over 7 months since I graduated from Lindenwood University, with a B.A. in not-for-profit management. Since then, I took a job selling websites, advertising, tried to start a business, and now sell hair care products to salons.

The field of not-for-profit (my passion) has yet to cross my path, so I wondered; why in the world did I get a degree in non-profit management and start my career as a salesman?

Today I took out one of my old text books (GOD thats like taking out an old girlfriend on a "I've got no one date") and started flipping through it. So many ideas started racing through my head. Is it possible for a social-preneur to get excited about sales? Why do I take jobs in fields that do not relate to my interests?

I want to help people and make a difference. I want to change society for the better, but currently, I can not find a cause or issue I am interested in. Of course I want to help where it is needed but, where do you find the need?

I know that a sales career is helping people help themselves. The good thing about selling hair care products is that you don’t get thrown out on you ass, like in advertising sales, however, I wonder how big a difference do I make in peoples life?

Growing up I was always in the leadership role, but now not so much. I like the idea of leading organizations, setting the culture, and helping people grow; how do you do that as the salesman?

This blog was a lot of philosophical personal question, I know that. I recommend that in your daily journal you take some time to jot down some of your questions you have about your life. I read somewhere that questions are like the road map, you keep driving and driving thinking you know exactly where you are, but you have no idea (you’re truly lost). You reach into the glove box and pull out the folded up QUESTIONS. I can't ever fold the questions back up and put them back in the glove box!

What are your goals for the future?

I recently read a good book that helped me re-evaluate my goals. In previous post I wrote about ideas of value-goals. It is important for you as the reader to understand the value-goal before you continue reading this post.

I found it is easied to focus on your goals if you separate them into seperate catagories. The catagories let your mind develop ways to help each happen. Our brains work simaliar to a computer and by labeling the files it is easier for you to recall the goal every day. Next, filing your goals allow you to pull or draw from other information that can be vital in accomplishing that goal. Lastly, Filing goals help you to create a balanced life.

The three catagories I used when setting my goals include: health, wealth, and love. According to all the books I have read, and experience I have gained, goals are not accomplished just because you write them down. In a previous post you will learn that goals are accomplished when you do the following: Read about topics related to your goals, write about ideas and actions to accomplish your goals, investigate or ask people questions that relate to your goal, and lastly, speak or talk about your goals. (do forget you have to provide the actions, take opprotunities, and not procrastinate.

My Goals Broken Down:
Health
Chemical: I will enjoy not smoking and abuseing alchol
Physical: I will enjoy weighin 185 lbs
Mental: I will enjoy reading 3 new books per month
Wealth
Financial: I will enjoy my first day as a millionare
Work: I will enjoy making over $100,000 a year
Lifestyle: I enjoy vacations once a year and appreciate the people that help around the house.
Love
Friends: I will have 6 groups of friends that get along with my wife
Family: I will spend more time envolved with my family every year.
Sexual: ************** Not appropriate

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is!

Have you ever made someone put their money where their mouth is? Two years ago, as a college student, I was leading a fundraising campaign for our Annual American Humanics Golf Tournament. American Humanics is a campus organization that develops non profit leaders. The goal was $5,000 and it was going to come from HOLE sponsorships.

As the fundraising chair, I began to make it my personal goal to raise all the money as I loved the organization, and I wanted it to continue to grow for future nonprofit leaders. Chris Burk, was the president, Bryon Haverstick, was the vice president, Sheryl Guffy was the Dean of Humanics and Jack Beckerle was our Campus Advisor. Not to mention Jack was my fundraising teacher the semester prior.

Sitting in my dorm room I began to think back to last semester: What did Jack teach us?

Raising money lessons:
The Board of Directors, The volunteers, and the staff have to buy into the mission and support the organization with their time, talents, and money.
Ask for specific amounts, People will give you $100 if you ask for it but they could give you $20 if you ask for a donation
Have one major Goal for the entire campaign, and have all the specific reasons that you are raising money lined out for people to follow.
Before you can ask for money you must first have give your donation.

So I finished my planning, and I had three levels of sponsorships $50 silver, $75 gold, and the big $100 platinum donation levels. I also completed designing the pledge cards with all the future goals of American Humanics.

The next day I had a conversation with Jack our student advisor after his new fundraising class let out. The conversation went a little like this:

Me: Hi JACK how are you?
Jack: Fine, how is the fundraising going
Me: Great! However, Last year I had this very WISE professor teach me that the first people to give during the annual campaign should be the people with the most invested interest. And I would say that the student Advisor has an Invested interest. What would you say!
Jack: Nathan you are killing me.
Me: Jack that $100 hole sponsorship pledge card is due by next Friday for all board member and advisors.
Jack: Nathan you made me put my money where my mouth is!

We laughed and I became $100 closer to our fundraising goal.

How much do you give?

4 Ways to Attract Success

Sometimes living everyday it’s hard, when going through the motions, to step back and evaluate where you are and where you want to be. There is always something that is important and needs to get finished. As we grow older time seems to fly by and personal time disappears. It’s funny and ironic that: in our personal time we as humans dream, discover, and explore our inner most desires.

So, as the days go on, the time for planning our future is reduced to the carpet that needs replacing and the PRM report need by Friday. Is it possible to find time to dream?

It is in those times of dream, discover, and exploration ideas are created, enterprises are discovered, and communities are changed. If it is true that success attracts success; how do we get the ball rolling with all of the other challenges in our lives? Can a person continue their life, job, and responsibilities and make a difference in the future?

The following and methods used to create success, build wealth, and fulfill dreams

I have discovered 4 ways to get the ball rolling and get on the right track. These methods are for people dedicated to taking the lead in life and are methods used by many of the world’s most successful people.

1). Read
It seems simple enough, however my suggestions is to read things you are already interested in. By reading you can begin to distort your experience cure. Reading can eliminate many of the problems someone else had in your similar situation. Reading expands your mind and helps you to dream. Reading can be accomplished while standing in line or waiting for an order. I read somewhere that if you read about a topic for thirty min. every day for the next five years, about one topic, by the fifth year you would be an expert on that particular subject.

2). Write
Keep a note pad and when you have an idea where ever you are jot it down. After six months go back and read through your note pad. If you remember what you were writing about it is probably important to you. Not only is it important to write ideas down on note pads. It’s important to make lists of things needed to be accomplished, and to keep a calendar. It is also important to develop writing skills; it will help with person to person communication.

3). Investigate
Ask thousand of questions about the things you are interested in. When you do this you first do not come across as a know it all, and second, by asking questions people will begin to realize you are interested in one particular subject and lead you in the direction of answers. People will be on the look out for you. Say you wanted to change the local community center for the better. By asking questions people you know will lead you to where you want to be.

4). Speak
It is funny that when you share information how much more knowledgeable you become. (A side note: people’s number one fear is public speaking.) Many times the thing that keeps people from accomplishing thier goals respectfully is fear of success. By overcoming your fear of public speaking you are moving psychologically into a transition and therefore able to tear down the mental barrier that keeps you from becoming successful. It is not only important for you to speak but it is also important for you to listen to others speak.

How successful are you?

5 Responsibilities of the Board of Directors

The roles of the board of directors:

In the not-for-profit industry there are many misconceptions about the board of director’s role. First of all, all members of the board of directors have to be volunteers. Those volunteers have agreed to carry out the mission of that particular organization. It is the responsibility of the executive director to keep the relationship between the board and the organization healthy.

The five main responsibilities of the Board of Directors include:
Maintaining the mission
Developing long term plans
Financial stability of the organization
Developing policies and procedures
Building a supportive network and atmosphere

Maintaining the mission
It is the responsibility of the Board to ensure the direction of the organization. With that in mind the mission is the symbol of what the organization stands for with out a mission there is no organization. But over time organization can lose focus, direction, or support. A strong Board can make the difference between a growing organization and a shrinking organization. Over time the mission of the organization may be met (ex: curing cancer) what happens when the cure for cancer is found? It is up to the board to help redirect the new mission of the organization. Most missions theoretically could be met but will never be accomplished, over time the board may narrow down the mission or change the direction of the organization to provide focus.

Developing long term plans
Now that the mission has been established by the Board where to they go from here? Long term plans and goals. Goals are formed in the progress can be measured. Goals are to an organization what a map is to a vacation. In the same way a map tells you when you’re on the right track so do the goals the board set. Lastly, the board evaluates their long term plans to determine where they are at on the map, and to see if the organization needs to take a different path to end up at the mission.

Financial responsibility
It is the responsibility of the board to maintain good financial standings, and many times that means digging deep into their own pocket first. In an organization where a board provides direction how can anyone honestly believe that a board member is serious and committed to organizations success if they can’t put some money into help. If they don’t donate they should not be on the board. Donations are not the only thing financial responsibility means, when organizations have large sums of capital it is important to manage that responsibility, the board should approve budgets and keep an eye out for fraud and embezzlement. The Organization should be able to meet financial goals the board determines in their five year cash flow projections.

Developing policies and procedures
Policies and procedures reduce risk, and improve productivity. Getting the board involved in setting policy is one of the most important keys to meeting goals. Policies and procedures reduce the amount of discrepancies with in a company. The policies the board usually set revolve around legal and personnel issues.

Building a supportive network and atmosphere
It is not usually thought much about but the working atmosphere is important to the long term success of an organization. With out the correct atmosphere turnover rates skyrocket and the company spends countless hours and dollars training new employees. Not only is the atmosphere important to the success of the board and the organization, the network of who the board knows becomes important. Many times building a strong organization starts with a strong network of people. When the board members are firmly grounded in the community, the community allows the organization to influence to the people.

32 Steps to Starting a New Business or Non-Profit

Background work
1. assess your strengths and weaknesses
2. establish business and personal goals
3. assess your financial resources
4. identify the financial risks
5. determine the start-up costs
6. decide on your business location
7. do market research
8. identify your customers
9. identify your competitors
10. develop a marketing plan
Business transactions
1. select a lawyer
2. choose a form of organization (proprietorship, partnership, or corporation, for example)
3. create your business (register your name, incorporate the business, etc.)
4. select an accountant
5. prepare a business plan
6. select a banker
7. set up a business checking account
8. apply for business loans (if applicable)
9. establish a line of credit
10. develop the mission
11. obtain business insurance
First steps
1. get business cards
2. review local business codes
3. obtain a lease
4. line up suppliers (if applicable)
5. get furniture and equipment
6. obtain a business license or permit (if applicable)
7. get a federal employer identification number
8. get a state employer i.d. number (if applicable)
9. send for federal and state tax forms
10. join a professional organization
11. set starting date

The Best Coffee and the Best Way to Drink it!!!

Shane Scott Coffee Co's beans are roasted to satisfy your individual taste. The founders of Shane Scott Coffee Co. recommend using one level tablespoon of grounded Shane Scott coffee for three ounces of hot water. However, the coffee’s strength depends on the amount of coffee to water ratio. You ultimately determine the brewing amounts that satisfy your taste.

It is important to remember to use fresh coffee bean. Making a fresh brew of coffee requires the proper equipment, clean water and beans of the highest quality. Using Shane Scott coffee, 100% single-bean Colombian gourmet coffee, will assure you a bitter-less, smooth cup, fresh cup of coffee with no aftertaste.

The Equipment
There are many different ways to brew coffee. The better ways include:
French Press Percolator, Drip-filter type, Espresso & Cappuccino
Coffee makers and other utensils must be clean. It is important to wash the coffee maker thoroughly after every use to prevent the accumulation of residues that will alter the flavor and aroma of the brew. For best results always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

The Water
Water is an important ingredient. You want to start with cold pure water, preferably filtered, if possible. Heat the water to almost the boiling point, but it should not boil. This is the optimum water temperature to fully extract the substances that give coffee its characteristic aroma and delicious flavor.

Your Coffee
The quality of the coffee bean depends largely on : 1) the soil conditions and altitude where the coffee trees grow, 2) The appropriate amount of rainfall, 3) the care and handling of the coffee from the moment of harvesting ,& 4) beginning of the roasting process to the end
Because the demand for freshness, aroma, and flavor Shane Scott is determined to provide the highest quality roasted beans on the market today, the roasting process is a crucial phase in the final product. Roasting the beans for too long at high temperatures (what’s called "dark roasting") will result in a flavor that masks the natural flavor of the bean. A light roast uses less heat. This method does not injure the bean and reveals its full flavor. Do you expect to get a great cup of coffee if you use a low-grade cheap coffee? Of course, taste is a matter of individual preference. A high quality coffee like Shane Scott is processed to meet the requirements of most demanding and discriminating tastes.

with so many post about topics that will help in the nonprofit sector, this one will become a life savor to anyone who has to work long, long hours.

15 things to remember when starting a new project, business, program, or event

Keep others best interest at heart
Don’t Give Up
Hire a Good Lawyer
Hire a Good Accountant
Give more than you ever have before
Don’t let others run your project for you
Marketing & Sales are everything
Build an Image
Branding is important
leaders are readers
Pay people on time
Designate one weekend a year for retreat/ alone time (reflect)
Create a atmosphere of teamwork
Training saves money in the long run
Do what ever it takes to keep a good employee

3 Ways to Significantly Reduce the Cost of Advertising!!!

Non-profits can save extra money on their advertising bill by keeping the following in mind:

1. Cooperative advertising – This is when two or more companies teamup. They may offer complimentary products or services. The teammates may share the same space.

2. Co-op advertising – Ask a supplier or manufacturer to pay part of the costs by including their logo in the advertisment.

3. Trial advertising – It is perfectly exceptable to try smaller ads in your immediate target area before unleashing your entire budget.

The four C’s of team success

–Collegiality :
working as colleagues, with respect for intelligence and capabilities of others
–Collaboration:
working together towards a common goal
–Coordination:
well planned activities, being able to work independently for the sake of the team’s goals
–Coaching:
the leader guides the team in setting goals, trains the team lacking in areas, and motivates the team towards a common goal

A team is a group of people who collaborate and interact to reach a common goal. Corporations use team because they can get accurate input on decision making from the entire organization.

Provided by idiot's guid to team building!!

Why a web site?

Credibility
A web site validates your business. Think of the number of times someone wants to know more about your business and resorts to the internet to find this information. If you don’t have a web site you are missing out on the opportunities of connecting with customers, employees, potential partners, donors, and investors.
Access
The internet works for you 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Therefore your website is always accessible to your potential customers. Your web site never makes a mistake or doesn’t show up for work. It sounds like your web site is your best employee already.
Exposure
The internet reaches people in every state, country, and continent. No other channel of distribution can possibly offer that kind of exposure for your business.
Innovation & Relative Cost
Relative to other forms of advertising, your website will be the least expensive form of advertising you will ever incur. A web site can do more to add to the bottom-line of your company as well. Ask any representative how integrated databases report effort, improve efficiency, and increase productivity.

8 Powerful Ways to Improve Your Advertising & Make More Money!

1. Keep it attractive, reader friendly, and above all simple.


2. Put yourself in the customers shoes. Think: “what offer would I respond to.”

3. Pack a powerful headline that is highly targeted. Use subheadlines sparingly.

4. Ask others such as co-workers and/or family if they would respond to your offer.

5. Keep running a successful advertisement until it becomes unsuccessful.

6. Remember advertising is usless unless it gets into the hands of a specific target audience.

7. Specialize in one particular product, service, or idea. Selling too many things confuses the customer.


8. Give a reason to buy now!

The Most Important Things to Include in a Business Plan

Many people have been asking me about writing business plans and grants. I have outlined a sample of some of the work I completed . This format has been funded before.

Your success in being funded will ultimately be determined by your ability to create a vision, demonstrate passion, and structure a plan that is easy to understand and follow.

You may ask for some help when putting together all the numbers.


1. Executive Summary
2. Business Description
3. Business History
4. Statement of Impact (to the community)
5. Business Highlights
5a Product
5b Market
5b Customer Base
6. Sales/ Marketing Strategy
6a Advertising
6b Competition
6c Direct Competition
7. Management Structure
7a. Key Management
8. Goals and Objectives
9. Financial Budget
10. Terms and Conditions

Appendix
Sample marketing materials
Sample of Systems (such as inventory control methods)
Contracts (agreements with customers)
Vision for the future

Nathan Bush © 2006

Advertising in Unlikely Places

Today in between sales calls I went to the book store to do some research. While I was there something interesting happened. I ran into a gentleman whom I happened to know from a while back.

He asked me what I was doing these days and I responded with a power packed phrase, “at Hometown Family Savings, we help companies increases opportunities for specific industries such as home & garden, restaurant, children & teen activities, and holiday gifts!”

I asked if he had a minuet and he did. I went into my presentation at the Barnes and Noble off Midrivers mall drive. (Thank you for the good coffee Sam).

By the end of that encounter I was able to help another business owner increase his opportunities and increase his exposure to 130,000+ homes.

Always be ready for anything.

Advertising morale: Like my encounter at the book store, nonprofits can find customers/funders in unlikely places. Remember to keep 3 things in mind when advertising:

1. Target your message – Like I did. I was able to use the book store to build common points of interest.
2. Use powerful wording – The words you choose move people to action whether they are written or spoken.
3. Be in front of the customer when they are ready to buy- the customer was obviously in the mood to spend money, it just so happened our publication appealed to him and he was ready to make a purchase/decision.

Branding For Nonprofits

Today, I woke up and ate a bowl of frosted flakes (Tony the Tiger). Next I took a shower and scrubbed my head with dove shampoo (White Dove), and as I drove to work in my Ford F150 (Built Ford Tough), I thought about the meeting I had coming up at subway (Jared) for Lunch.

It seems to me that these companies have a direct influence in my life and they have also built a strong Brand Name, or influence in other peoples lives as well. Branding is not something new to the corporate world, but to the not-for-profits, branding has yet to be implemented as part of major marketing plans.

Brand, what is a Brand? The term originated in the days of the Cowboys and the Wild West. A Brand or an iron rod shaped into a recognizable image was used to mark cattle. The Cowboys would heat up the rod until it was red hot and literally burn the shape into the cow’s hide. Now, that cow was forever known as branded, marked, or identifiable. If a cow was to wonder astray or become mixed in with the other cows, the Cowboy could easily spot his cow and separate out the rest.

This concept applies in the same way to not-for-profit branding. Who are your company’s cows? How can you mark the people who should be reached by your organization? Which clients, donors, or volunteers do you mark and claim as yours?

Every time your organization is able to brand the correct cows, then your advertising dollars are more effectively spent, it is easier to target you market (because you know your customers are the ones with the brand), and your organization has the ability to reach more people and influence more lives.

Herman in his book The Jossey-Bass Handbook if Nonprofit Leadership & Management states marketing for nonprofits unlike the private sector marketing, which defines the market solely in terms of customer, is always focused on two major constituencies, namely, the resource provision market (volunteers, donors, funders, government grantors) and the resource allocation market (clients, patients, students, legislators, general public).

Further more he goes on to say, a brand will embody a set of organization or program characteristics that the market believes will be delivered consistently…. It can position and organization, builds trust, raise an organization’s profile, and provide insulation from competition.

4 easy steps to remember when branding:

The 4 R’s of branding
Recognize – how your organization is positioned in the marketplace
Remember- your brand is your company’s image
Remind- markets of your brand
Reevaluate- how your brand fits into the marketplace

10 things that payoff when fundraising or selling

1. People don’t care about your company they care about theirs
2. The less information the better
3. Every technique you learned in school is theory and not reality
4. Giving up is not a good idea because persistence pays off
5. Get the amount of the money out of the way first
6. Show up on time
7. Call before appointments (gas is expensive)
8. Try to be good at what you do but not too good
9. Invite people to do things with you
10. Ask for payments not lump sums

Ten Things to Keep in Mind When Working with Mentally Challenged

Working with the Mentally Challenged can be a tough job. If you are considering a job within that specific field there are 10 things to keep in mind:

1. The people you care for, care even more for you
2. Losing someone is hard
3. Some people can get you to do things for them that they could do themselves
4. Give options
5. Let them try to do things on their own (you are there to assist them with living not live for them)
6. Take good care of yourself (including personal hygiene)
7. Introduce them to everyone
8. Smile even when things are rough
9. Don’t encourage negative behavior, reward positive behavior
10. Be ready for anything.

P.S. Mentally Challenged people are the most loving people on this earth. It is best to approach a job working with the MC from a best friend’s point of view. Treat them as though they are your best friend and they will be.

Case Study & Team Leadership

1. Michael is a coworker and he has been assigned to your team. You have no choices, but to work with him and his abilities. Michael is a worker with a MBA in Marketing and is the Vice President of the St. Louis region of Core Express, a company that builds telephone networks and sells them to Southwestern Bell and other telephone companies. Michael always does just satisfactory work but that’s all.

When projects fall behind Michael’s work is slower or less accurate, the other associates/technicians have to help him catch up when confronted work speeds up, but then slowly reverts to mediocre performance. What type of trouble maker is this? What can you do as the team leader when assigned to a project with this team member?

1. Low self esteem
2. A Member Who Does Not Carry Thier Load
3. Overly sensitive
4. Can’t keep their cool
5. Information hoarder
6. The Naysayer
7. The know it all
8. The prima donna

You can respond to this question: bignatelu@hotmail.com

What First Money or Mission?

Continue to be money driven and be out of business in a year’s time; and with only mission an organization cannot continue to sever the very people they are trying to help. One good example to understand this principal comes in a story. The story of the little boy who was on a mission to find his dad a father’s day gift:

There was a little boy on a mission to find his dad a father’s day present. The little boy only had a small savings of $5 but it was important for him to go look. He went to the shoe store to look for shoes, but they were too expensive. Next he went to the bakery, but the goods would have molded quickly. He went to the tackle shop, but the fishing lures did not seem to be the perfect gift for his dad.

It was getting late and dark outside. The boy had to be home by dark. He stopped at a watchmakers store on his way home. Out side he ran into a gentleman to whom he told his story about the father’s day gift. The man bent down and handed him $100. The little boy took that $105 into the watchmaker’s store. The kind gentleman was sitting on the bench when he came out of the store.

The man asked the kid, “So, what did you get him?”

The kid responded, “nothing from the watch shop that’s were my dad works!”

“What are you going to get him?” The man asked with a confused look on his face.

The kid responded, “I think I’ll give him an awesome rock I found and a kiss for father’s day. I’ll spend the $105 on candy for my friends and me.”

The moral of the story: the kid’s mission was to find his dad a father’s day gift and the man thought it was money that was important to the kid. Without money organizations can not possibly continue to operate, but without the right mission they would not exist.

Advertising & Not-for-Profit Organizations

There are two different types of Advertising: Image (Brand) advertising and Retail advertising. Image advertising is a way to change the life styles we live, and the items of importance to a society. Retail advertising is a way to move people to buy a specific product from a specific place.

One good example of Image advertising is a full page advertisement for the YMCA; it may show some kids in the daycare while the parents work out in the gym, the advertisement might read: we build strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. A good example of retail advertising might be the advertisement of ¼ a page for the YMCA, with a coupon for one month’s free membership if you sign up before the following month.

Nonprofit image advertising could be thought of as a way to change the way people think, feel, or act about their organization. Not only that, but image advertising can help people become informed of ways to: donate, volunteer, or participate in a program or service that they wanted to, had the desired to, but never knew, that such a/an program or organization existed.