This issue about Boomers was so well put together and so important for my professional passion, planned giving - I had to flag it for my network as a must read.
Doesn't hurt that it's a damn good looking publication, a fun read, a thinking read, one you want to share and talk about.
What makes this issue a must read?
I have been sounding an alarm in presentations I've been giving for the past few years. The Boomers are coming and they are going to change philanthropy and the way we fundraise. The issue starts off with a fascinating article on how charities should think about positioning themselves in this change. Doesn't hurt that it's from a professor from Queens eMBA.
I won't hide my bias, that I have great respect for a fundraising leader I worked with at UofT, Avon MacFarlane who is now VP of the Offord Group. She has a strategic mind and I listen to everything she has to say and every word she writes. Period. Her article on the great wealth transfer, is of value to anyone who wants some of it! Tired of this topic? Her perspective is a refreshing one too as she addresses the fizzle that many of us waiting for this big transfer have felt for the past decade. I've had a lot of fun this past year, getting up to speed with social media. All this fun took me a little off the path of why I was learning it. 90% of those who I interact with are Gen X, Y and Millennials but the reason I'm there is business, and if you want to do business with revenue-line results in social media right now... you better be aware of where boomers fit in. The wonderful Robin Fowler reminds us where that is. Robert Harris, CEO of Altruvest provides some important insight about volunteer engagement that will soon be the new normal. Several of my peers are looking forward to hearing Robert at the February 3 Schulich Nonprofit Board Governance and Leadership conference - I hope he addresses this! Having a strategic conversation about the demographics and future impact of boomers without talking to Founding President of Environics Michael Adams ( author of Stayin' Alive, on my ready to read list.. _) is like doing a mustache retrospective and not talking to Tom Selleck or Dom DeLuise. The issue includes a fun and thoughtful Q&A with him.
Now, it would be dishonest of me to claim I love the boomers. Full disclosure, I'm a Gen X'er who at times can have a less than sunny attitude towards them. With their "demographics has nothing to do with it, we're just that good" attitude. How Boomers donate and tips on working with them by Offord team member PrabhaMattappally had a nice Gen X edge to it. I tip my hat to you Prabha, one X to another.
So get over to the Offord site, I know they're not 2.0'd out and you have to submit an email address... but looking at their client list - they are all about making big players big money and big results. Their network are big thinkers who are changing the face of Canada and the world. So if you want to think smart in 2012, this is worth the trouble.
Couldn't be happier to see the recommendation to read CARP's "Zoomer Magazine". I've been a member on and off since I was 23. Yes, the Canadian Association of Retired People. Why? Because being a demographics nerd that they were going to change the very fabric of Canadian life. Why not ride the wave and have some fun? You can't beat demographics, why not join them? Not a believer? Check out this full page ad that Moses took out in the G&M. Funny and a little terrifying right?
Just in time for the Holidays when foots the world over, are placed in mouths
Funny enough, Gandhi & Mother Teresa were known for their sometimes scathing tirades instead of the peaches and cream platitudes we so often hear... not because they were bad people but their passion often lead them to demand more of others and it didn't always come off well...
I'm neither of them but I've had plenty of challenges communicating my intentions in my working life and beyond..
Swearing at work always confused me. Don't get me wrong I love to swear like a sailor on my own time. Great fun. But at work I personally feel we should be able to express ourselves intentionally with professionalism. But it's hard some times, and I haven't spent a lot of time managing people. I know it's a challenge.
The darkest conversation I ever had at work was in 2011, a critical error and miscommunication led me to a blood boiling raised voice confrontation. I hated to be in that position and if not for some basic training I would have just quit my job that day.. Enter this tiny book. Not even 100 pages to read.
I took so many notes I think I may have transcribed the whole book! I WISH I had this book before that day.
This book not only gives you the words but the context for work, home, coaching, conflict
Learn to build trust, motivate and simply get your point across ( or listen to get someone else's point ) with everyday conversation
A must read for managers and client/donor service professionals
This book is so solid in its' simplicity you'll realize you're doing 80% but just not that last 20% - that's the magic, the words in this book aren't a stretch at all!
If you want to do more, get more in 2012 - here's a quick read to do just that.
Best wishes for a great holiday season! Keep those feet on the ground...
Anyone who knows me knows I'm crazy about LinkedIn Social media is fun but unfocused and messy. LinkedIn is about real business networking.
A few weeks ago a wonderful peer saw this resource and sent me a note. I was fascinated and ordered a couple to check out. What followed changed my year, and will make my 2012 ( and yours if you choose ) a LinkedIn business success.
I get my hands on this little book, it looks like a passport. You can fill it out over an hour or so, but it makes you think. It guides the reader to create a well rounded profile - ON PAPER!!
Why is this a revolution? All other books just tell you what to do and leave you on your own. That doesn't work for any business professionals who are not digital natives (coined by Humber educator Ken Wyman) , ie. anyone over 30.
Also, most other great books on LinkedIn are out of date with the constantly evolving program - this was just published.
THIS book, changes the game.
I showed it to one executive who wanted to help their staff get better at LinkedIn, they said "holy crap, this is it" and did a bulk order with 24 hours.
So take heed, I am getting behind this 100% in 2012. You can order it online here but I'll be doing bulk orders and helping my network get their hands on them, let me know if you want one. $10 ( total! Tax and shipping) to make your profile better? That's an easy investment.
As another business executive who saw it and bought it right from my hands said to me "online, I don't get it, I can't do it. I don't have time to figure it out" but holding this hand-sized book "but THIS, this I get. THIS I can do".
A quick read from the master of marketing - Seth Godin Guaranteed to get you out of funks, blocks, procrastinatory type situations.
"The job isn't to catch up to status quoit's to INVENT the status quo" What a perfect way to start a book like this.
It's no secret I'm a fan of Seth Godin, recently I met a marketing guy who says he's a guru and has never read Seth - that's like the Pope saying "Jesus who? Nevah hoid of him" ( I may be thinking of Groucho Marx but I digress )
This book exists to in the same way you carry kitty-litter in your truck during the winter, when you get stuck, use it for traction.
"When was the last time you did something for the first time?"
For established successful professionals, that answer may be, "not in a long time" - When was the last time you scared yourself?
In his chapter the seven imperatives of explosive business success Seth hits home that 99% is common but the one uncommon spark is 'initiative' the gumption to just bloody START something.
He builds on his message from his last book "Linchpin" with the question for you to ask yourself, how do you respond when people ask "what do you do here?" - A very Robin Sharma "Lead without title"concept
His basic push to start, do, act is motivating and helpful. The differencebetween saying at an event "let's do lunch I'll send you an email" to "we're holding our mobile devices with schedules in our hands - let's book this meeting right now!!"
Isaac Asimov the amazing Sci-fi writer wrote 400 books! It was his drive and commitment to start, go, do, finish...great chapter on this
A helpful chapter on how to make team meetings and accountability meaningful and helpful to productivity - pick this book up if you'd like to boost that. Another great note on the concept of mistakes and failure - I too am so tired of the culture of succeed or die, so inauthentic - I recently read a quote that said the world's greatest discoveries weren't made shouting "Eureka" it was when a lab person said "huh, that's funny"
For those who want to improve HOW they work I loved his line that "juggling is not just the art of catching, it's the art of throwing better" For the business professional, the time crunched creator this is a very quick read but a value read.
I know. This post is long overdue. The networking enthusiast not sharing books on connecting. So here we go! My top seven ( kind of )
My number one, the go-to book is "Work the Pond" because: - It's all about the social science of connecting - It's the most approachable of all the books - Canadian culture content (90% networking books are American) I have personally bought over 50 copies over the years to give away.
2) Business cards to business relationships - Another Canadian author, more business focused - Goes back to the basics of business networking - Every business person should own this book 3) Susan RoAne has written a dozen + books, 7 best sellers on the topic of networking. She tackles every subject from the mind to manner to application - I count her as the international champion of connection! Pick one that works for you!
4) Smart Networking - This book is not just great and very strategic (includes how to make a long and short term networking plan ) it's a quick read. - If you're looking for a job pronto, buy this book - If you work a lot and don't have time, buy this book
5) I call them the dynamic duo. Keith Ferrazzi's internationalbest seller "Never Eat Alone" and his confession/apology and solidfollow up "Whose got your back" - together they make the best business read on networking that I can actually say was as much enjoyment as it was work. Best read on how to network in social settings and how to create your own networking board!
6) As the flying lizards once said "Money, that's what I want". If money's your bag - rainmaking is your task and this book was like a football playbook. So strategic, so methodical, it was referred to me by a lawyer and I consult it often. (speaking of football I wrote a whole post on a football fan queen of "connecting" , don't miss it ) 7) INTROVERTS. I know you have suffered under the tyranny of "Type A" jerks your whole career. This book will help you survive and maybe...thrive
1. WHY use social media 2. WHY care and engage in 2.0 networking online or off? 3. HOW to engage authentically, strategically but practically
JUST NAILED IT - If you are a social media skeptic, this is the read for you.
A tiny bonus for much of my personal network, the author lives in Toronto Canada and rather than all the New York, San Fran, LA references of my favourite authors he cites examples I can totally relate to.
Things I loved about this book:
- Tearing up old world marketing: "Buy or Goodbye" - Gloriously dispelling the tyranny of the "Free Consultation" myth - 100 tips on better twitter use for results - The best argument to kill cold calling and what to do instead
I don't know why but he has a couple mentions about how to market and network for artists scattered around the book, it's a hard market and I found the stories and examples fascinating. Very business applicable.
I love that he doesn't focus on one medium for social media, this is a lesson in 2.0 engagement that goes far beyond JUST Twitter.
I got GOOSEBUMPS reading the chapter "Twitter Vs. Facebook Vs. LinkedIn" and truly appreciated that he cites the good, bad and tips for using each.
Me personally, I totally back Darkhorse Coffee and think the author missed their point. Jerks with laptops terrorize the coffee shop business and I for one applaud any business who stands up to them. Networking masters Starbucks have solved this problem with new zones for networking, working and socializing - genius!
Discussion of how to use newsletters and the power of pull in 2011 was brilliant and so helpful to much of the business my network engages in for both nonprofit and seeking profit.
I shudder to see that he nailed the marketing essence of the coffee war in Canada, my family and network went through the same experience. I would love to hear from others who read the book if they agree.
His story of why YouTube is NOT NOT NOT the place to go viral is a fascinating business case study, along with his personal story of botched internet stardom is what makes this book a must read.
Also of high value a powerful story, study and recommendations for booth-dwellers at conferences! If you're an avid exhibitor, get this book.
Lastly, people think that I, as someone who lives and breathes networking is all about face to face events. But I totally agree with the author that 90%+ are terrible and he outlines the people to avoid at them.
Never cold call, never cold network, never go to an event cold. Stay warm and succeed!
This book is something anyone who is curious about what 3-dimensional marketing looks like in 2011. And if you want to succeed in 2012? Get it. Period.
I leave you with a good business interview on UnMarketing
If you are part of my fundraising network, you'll find great value in this talk at last year's "Digital Leap" conference organized by the ever-awesome Stephen Thomas team:
Perfect start of the end of summer, get my brain working again book. It won't hurt your head, I promise.
Something to read at a cottage, on a dock, in a boat where you have time to think in between and after
Yes Guy, Enchanting. ( TOO enchanting, I got #@$!#$ library fines because I kept it to read it slow, like eating rich food)
Now don't get me wrong. There are some busine$$ tips in here I LOVED the script to turn your front desk into front sales
Descriptions of what makes: - A product enchanting - A brand of value in 2011 - A strategy worth committing to
What is the most enchanting length of: - Email - Video-PowerPoint
I love that Guy quotes my favourite networking book of all time on the topic of networking!! "Work the Pond" rules!! As I was hoping, like Sally Hogshead takes apart "Fascination" for business, Guy takes apart enchantment and shares all the moving parts for you to create success.
Every chapter ends with a real world story. So thrilled a business hero of mine, Garr Reynolds is one and there's a whole chapter on the beauty and simplicity of Japanese culture.
How to enchant - Volunteers - Your boss- Your employees
And how cultivate enchantment Kryptonite to not be swayed by others..
The very best of pull marketing education. The business read of the summer. I leave you with my favourite quote from the book and a great visual plug...
"The function of the muscles is to pulland not to push, except in the case of the genitals and the tongue". Leonardo Da Vinci
Whose desk isn't over flowing with "things I should read"
a demographics nerd that they were going to change the very fabric of Canadian life. Why not ride the wave and have some fun? You can't beat demographics, why not join them? Not a believer? Check out this full page ad that Moses took out in the G&M. Funny and a little terrifying right?
