RESOLUTIONS PART II: BULLETS BEFORE CANNONBALLS

 

Once again, Happy New Year from all of us at Donor By Design! In the second blog of this three-part series, I’m going to dig deeper into one of John Norcross’s suggestions for keeping resolutions, and some ideas from Jim Collins’ new book, Great By Choice. (Miss Part I? Read it now.)

Norcross’ second strategy for making lasting change is to define “SMART” goals. When setting targets, remember to keep them: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-specific. (These strategies can be found in his book Changeology: 5 Steps to Realizing Your Goals and Resolutions.)

And, according to Collins, 10X leaders, along with being able to complete successive 20 Mile Marches, know to “first fire bullets, then cannonballs.”

What does firing bullets or cannonballs have to do with modern nonprofit leadership? A “bullet” is an idea that is relatively low cost and low risk.It’s easy to “fire” a few of these “bullets” (ideas), and then assess their effectiveness and make adjustments. Once you have refined the idea and you know it works, you can throw some real firepower (budget, staff etc.) at the idea. In other words, don’t fire your big, expensive cannonballs until you’ve got the target square in your sights.

Just as in business, one doesn’t have to look too hard to find nonprofit leaders who launch uncalibrated cannonballs and waste time, donor trust and investment. This could be a capital campaign without market and feasibility studies. This could be a failed direct response campaign. This could be a strategic plan without any resources dedicated to make sure it becomes reality.

In 2014, let’s commit to bullets first!  What might be your test bullets in 2014?

  • The beginnings of a social media strategy?
  • Targeted donor restricted funds?
  • Launching an online giving strategy?
  • Case for support which is developed by your donors and not staff?
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As you fire these bullets, don’t forget Norcross’ suggestions to track your progress and reward for small achievements.

Let’s fail and learn from our bullets in 2014, so that we may prepare to launch a few well-conceived and effective cannonballs later this year and into 2015.

Posted by Bruce Berglund
Bruce Berglund

Written by Bruce Berglund

For nearly 30 years, Bruce Berglund, CFRE, has been a successful professional fundraiser in the fields of higher education, arts and culture, and social services. Bruce is the CEO and Founder of DBD Group (formerly Donor by Design Group), a national firm providing comprehensive fundraising services to nonprofits, churches, community colleges and schools. DBD is currently managing more than $3 billion in capital, annual and endowment campaigns. Bruce is a highly sought-after writer, speaker and teacher.

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