At a morning meeting with Monsignor Greico of Weston, CT we were discussing the "case for support" for his parish's upcoming offertory enchancement appeal. We covered the usual topics of budget vs. income, rising expenses, a slight dip in offertory due to the recession, the desire to expand ministries.
I thought we were doing pretty well-Monsignor didnt seem quite satisfied. As the discussion continued Monsignor became quiet, leaned back in his chair and seemed to settle into deep reflection. After a few moments he asked me this question:
"John, with all that is going on today, where do my people go to get hope?"
And there you have it...
Showing posts with label economy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label economy. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Sales! Sales! Sales! SALES!
We are all salespeople! Yes even our parish priests, our business managers our non profit directors-we, in one way or another are always selling something. Selling our vision, selling our passion, selling our product or service, selling our solutions, selling others on our mission-selling, selling, selling!
In order to sell you must believe that you are a salesperson!
Back in August I wrote a blogpost about this: http://cunneen.blogspot.com/2008/08/face-it-you-are-salesperson.html Apparently I was ably assisted in my passion for all things sales by Tom Peters. As a long time follower of Tom's work I can only conclude based on the following video that he was the first to introduce me to the "everyone is a salesperson" school of thought.
Tom's style is not for everyone but his message is usually pretty good. Enjoy if you can.
Tom Peters on Yes! You Are in Sales! from Tom Peters on Vimeo.
In order to sell you must believe that you are a salesperson!
Back in August I wrote a blogpost about this: http://cunneen.blogspot.com/2008/08/face-it-you-are-salesperson.html Apparently I was ably assisted in my passion for all things sales by Tom Peters. As a long time follower of Tom's work I can only conclude based on the following video that he was the first to introduce me to the "everyone is a salesperson" school of thought.
Tom's style is not for everyone but his message is usually pretty good. Enjoy if you can.
Tom Peters on Yes! You Are in Sales! from Tom Peters on Vimeo.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Good Advice!
Consider ...
Daily Wisdom for Troubled Times
Get up earlier.
Go to bed later.
Work harder.
Finish what you start.
Learn one new thing.
Renew one contact.
Ask, "How can I help you?" at least once.
Make yourself visible.
Be of good cheer.
Catch a break.
Or not.
Repeat tomorrow.
Courtesy of Tom Peters blog. http://www.tompeters.com/
Daily Wisdom for Troubled Times
Get up earlier.
Go to bed later.
Work harder.
Finish what you start.
Learn one new thing.
Renew one contact.
Ask, "How can I help you?" at least once.
Make yourself visible.
Be of good cheer.
Catch a break.
Or not.
Repeat tomorrow.
Courtesy of Tom Peters blog. http://www.tompeters.com/
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Things are looking up!
‘Times are tough, but people still give’
Twin Cities United Way posts fundraising record for 2008
The above headline and sub-header were part of a very recent front page article in the Minneapolis StarTribune. The article, in part, discussed all that the United Way has done and continues to do for the community in the areas of ‘hunger, homelessness, financial and health problems, family violence, and children’s success in school.’
Not only are their efforts important and needed for the community but they clearly understand better than some nonprofits, that even when times are tough, when asked, those who can will give. As Randi Yoder from the United Way stated, ‘People understand there are pressing needs in our community-made worse by layoffs, foreclosures, and other economic stresses-and want to make life better for those who need a helping hand.’ Amazingly, in the midst of these very troubled times, their efforts raised an all time record $95,000,000!
While acknowledging the seriously challenging times that all nonprofit charitable organizations face and pointing out that ‘there may be leaner times ahead’, the CEO of United Way specifically noted the importance of all their agencies to both stay focused on their core missions while keeping close tabs on finances. Even cautioning that ‘in this economy, flat may become the new up’. But with that, also noting that this most recent effort once again proved that people will support causes they believe in when asked to do so.
As a Catholic parish fundraiser, this article clearly reaffirmed an axiom we have always known to be true; if you respectfully ask for their support, people will give. But with that said, the flip side of that is equally true; if you don’t ask, they will give to those who do.
While United Way obviously understands the need and importance of asking, we are now frequently seeing Catholic parishes who, despite the same needs, have decided to not ask their parishioners to do anything. Neither asking regular supporters to consider a new level of support or to minimally recommit to their current level of support. Or to ask the majority of parishioners at every parish, those who currently give very little to nothing, to consider some committed level of support. Pastors and Finance Committees at some parishes have essentially shelved the parishes financial needs as an area of emphasis or discussion. Even if it has meant to possibly run in the red or to cut back on the ministries, services, support, and staff, they have traditionally provided. This, even though when asked, most Catholics say their church is their #1 charitable priority.
Why the concern to ask? The two most common explanations I frequently hear from Pastors who have chosen this approach to their finances is that it would either be ‘insensitive to ask now’ or that they are going to ‘wait until things get better.’ Unfortunately, the question with no clear answer for any parish is, when exactly will that better time be? In the meantime, many of their parishioners support United Way and other charitable causes, and will continue to do so, because those organizations do ask.
If you agree that doing nothing is not a good option and may prove very troubling for your parish, we will be happy to meet and discuss your overall needs. Following that we will review your options towards developing a plan that will assure that your parish will, now and always, be able to continue to provide for all who need your help, support, and guidance.
Wayne Miller
Regional Director
The Cunneen Company
866.223.7128
Wayne-Thank you for putting this together-I couldnt agree more! Awesome article and a great message for our clients and those that read this blog. Good stuff.
-John
Twin Cities United Way posts fundraising record for 2008
The above headline and sub-header were part of a very recent front page article in the Minneapolis StarTribune. The article, in part, discussed all that the United Way has done and continues to do for the community in the areas of ‘hunger, homelessness, financial and health problems, family violence, and children’s success in school.’
Not only are their efforts important and needed for the community but they clearly understand better than some nonprofits, that even when times are tough, when asked, those who can will give. As Randi Yoder from the United Way stated, ‘People understand there are pressing needs in our community-made worse by layoffs, foreclosures, and other economic stresses-and want to make life better for those who need a helping hand.’ Amazingly, in the midst of these very troubled times, their efforts raised an all time record $95,000,000!
While acknowledging the seriously challenging times that all nonprofit charitable organizations face and pointing out that ‘there may be leaner times ahead’, the CEO of United Way specifically noted the importance of all their agencies to both stay focused on their core missions while keeping close tabs on finances. Even cautioning that ‘in this economy, flat may become the new up’. But with that, also noting that this most recent effort once again proved that people will support causes they believe in when asked to do so.
As a Catholic parish fundraiser, this article clearly reaffirmed an axiom we have always known to be true; if you respectfully ask for their support, people will give. But with that said, the flip side of that is equally true; if you don’t ask, they will give to those who do.
While United Way obviously understands the need and importance of asking, we are now frequently seeing Catholic parishes who, despite the same needs, have decided to not ask their parishioners to do anything. Neither asking regular supporters to consider a new level of support or to minimally recommit to their current level of support. Or to ask the majority of parishioners at every parish, those who currently give very little to nothing, to consider some committed level of support. Pastors and Finance Committees at some parishes have essentially shelved the parishes financial needs as an area of emphasis or discussion. Even if it has meant to possibly run in the red or to cut back on the ministries, services, support, and staff, they have traditionally provided. This, even though when asked, most Catholics say their church is their #1 charitable priority.
Why the concern to ask? The two most common explanations I frequently hear from Pastors who have chosen this approach to their finances is that it would either be ‘insensitive to ask now’ or that they are going to ‘wait until things get better.’ Unfortunately, the question with no clear answer for any parish is, when exactly will that better time be? In the meantime, many of their parishioners support United Way and other charitable causes, and will continue to do so, because those organizations do ask.
If you agree that doing nothing is not a good option and may prove very troubling for your parish, we will be happy to meet and discuss your overall needs. Following that we will review your options towards developing a plan that will assure that your parish will, now and always, be able to continue to provide for all who need your help, support, and guidance.
Wayne Miller
Regional Director
The Cunneen Company
866.223.7128
Wayne-Thank you for putting this together-I couldnt agree more! Awesome article and a great message for our clients and those that read this blog. Good stuff.
-John
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Who needs 15 minutes of fame - l will gladly accept my 15 seconds!
http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/news_wtnh_hamden_banking_economy_200903182337_rev1
This was easy to do because it is true. We always make a point of trying to do our business locally it strengthens our ties with the community, helps our friends and neighbors and provides us with much better service. A true win win!
Mark Candido and Dick Barredo the leaders of the Quinnipiac Bank and Trust Company are good people running a great bank-our economic recovery might really benefit from some "back to the basics" relationship building.
This was easy to do because it is true. We always make a point of trying to do our business locally it strengthens our ties with the community, helps our friends and neighbors and provides us with much better service. A true win win!
Mark Candido and Dick Barredo the leaders of the Quinnipiac Bank and Trust Company are good people running a great bank-our economic recovery might really benefit from some "back to the basics" relationship building.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Enough by John C. Bogle - send me an email and ill send you this book!
Tom Peter's the management guru referencing one of the best business books he has ever read. The book titled ENOUGH by John C. Bogle shares with us his thoughts on the current economy and society in general.
The chapter titles-they speak volumes:
"Too Much Cost, Not Enough Value"
"Too Much Speculation, Not Enough Investment"
"Too Much Complexity, Not Enough Simplicity"
"Too Much Counting, Not Enough Trust"
"Too Much Business Conduct, Not Enough Professional Conduct"
"Too Much Salesmanship, Not Enough Stewardship"
"Too Much Focus on Things, Not Enough Focus on Commitment"
"Too Many Twenty-first Century Values, Not Enough Eighteenth-Century Values"
"Too Much 'Success,' Not Enough Character
The overarching theme captured by the book's title, "Enough".
The chapter titles-they speak volumes:
"Too Much Cost, Not Enough Value"
"Too Much Speculation, Not Enough Investment"
"Too Much Complexity, Not Enough Simplicity"
"Too Much Counting, Not Enough Trust"
"Too Much Business Conduct, Not Enough Professional Conduct"
"Too Much Salesmanship, Not Enough Stewardship"
"Too Much Focus on Things, Not Enough Focus on Commitment"
"Too Many Twenty-first Century Values, Not Enough Eighteenth-Century Values"
"Too Much 'Success,' Not Enough Character
The overarching theme captured by the book's title, "Enough".
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