Implementing Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) initiatives can be overwhelming—they require change, disrupt processes and workflows. They force your organization to think about how you manage your existing data and deciding how you’ll move forward with data collection. Internally, business processes and technology may need to be changed. Externally, constituent experiences can be disrupted, […]
Implementing Business Intelligence (BI)—performance-based data, often acquired through software—enables organizations to access constant reporting, meet reporting requirements faster and easier, and foster a broader culture of accountability and data-driven decision-making. BI data can help you from an operational perspective, fundraising and revenue-hitting goals, and organizational efficiency. Develop and analyze prospects and closely measure […]
Data security is critical to making sure that vital information from your organization is not easily accessible, but maintaining data security isn’t easy. In fact, there have been 540 data breaches this year. That’s 163,551,023 people affected in 2020 so far by breaches in data security. Let’s dive into this critical topic as more […]
Everything You Need to Know About Developing Advancement Operations Procedures We’ve all seen what happens when colleagues think the other followed up with a major donor — and then no one does. Without proper procedures in place, it can be difficult to organize complex programs and maintain efficiency. When it comes to streamlining processes […]
Are you struggling with how to fundraise in the current environment? Many institutions are. The uncertainty created by the pandemic, along with a slowdown in our economy and growing civil unrest, can make it difficult for your voice to be heard. So in these times and beyond, transparency and sensitivity are critical in your […]
I often find myself at the intersection of Advancement Operations and IT Support. I consider both groups my colleagues. From each area I hear the frustrations and challenges about working together. What makes it so difficult for Advancement Operations and IT Support to work together and how can you improve these interactions? Acknowledge and understand […]
For all of my Advancement Colleagues, I have a Precision Practices tip for you. I’m going to talk about the 4 stages that will help you prepare for Data Conversion and increase the success of your CRM Implementation. When I first engage with my clients, I routinely ask – what are your major concerns […]
For all of my colleagues in Advancement Services or for anyone in charge of Advancement Information Systems; I have a Precision Practices tip for you. I’m going to talk about the difference between Implementing a CRM Solution for Advancement versus Implementing CRM Software. If we look at implementing new CRM software as the entirety […]
The promise of having accurate and reliable data is often made as a part of the implementation of a new CRM (constituent relationship management) software. It is that promise that often keeps every VP of Advancement/Development Services up at night trying to figure out how to miraculously transform over 10 years worth of information […]
by Mario Houston | Contact Us Why doesn’t Business Process Improvement just happen? This is what many universities are trying to answer. Let me suggest a better question to ask: Why is your University Development and Alumni Relations failing at improving the critical processes that you use everyday? Let’s investigate why this happens …
Even if they don’t say it, your employees may be thinking it. You might even find yourself asking “What is my job?” and thinking about how your duties have changed since being hired in your present position.
There are two main fundraising models institutions utilize. Transactional fundraising and relationship fundraising. Although fundraisers say they want to build lifelong relationships, many fall into the trap of the transactional fundraising model. Can your current fundraising practices pass the pressure test for Relationship Fundraising?
A common challenge in Fundraising is institutions are requiring more results and an increase in productivity using the fundraising infrastructure that is currently in place.
I am going to start out with a startling announcement. The most important tool in your fundraising toolbox is not your CRM system.
If you are not performing this then you may be missing a great opportunity to improve the success of your new fundraising system. There is really only one way to find out how your staff feels about their new fundraising platform.
(This is Part 2 of a 2 part article. In Part 1 talked about the top 10 reasons why you need to add a Trusted Advisor to your team. In this second part I am going to a little more in depth as to why having one will help keep you up to date on […]
(Because this is such an important topic I decided to run a two part article. The following is part 1.) At some point it becomes necessary to bring on a trusted advisor to take your fundraising efforts to the next level. As with any business endeavor it helps to get the perspective of someone that […]
Now that you have finally decided to migrate all the fundraising data you have in various places to a sleek new CRM database there remains only one problem. How are you going to achieve a donor database that provides clean data, solid reports and a staff that buys into the process? Who are you […]
Institutions are now required by their Boards to provide more transparency and accountability for Fundraising Campaigns. This has prompted an array of metrics that not only evaluate progress towards fundraising goals but also evaluates daily productivity. Here are some metrics that might look familiar… Number of Face to Face Visits Number of Phone Calls Number of […]
If you are a diligent Project Sponsor and made sure that your team complied with industry best practices at the end of your project you participated in a Lessons Learned activity that pulled together the entire team to reflect on the project… What worked worked well in the course of the project? In what areas are there opportunities for improvement? […]
I worked with one of my clients to plan the kick off meeting for their CRM Implementation project. I started with my workshop Tools and Techniques – Planning a Successful Project Kick Off Meeting and the team was brainstorming on how to meet each objective of the meeting.. Inspire – establish a context that is […]
Author: Dauwn Parker, Principal Consultant at Precision Partners Maximizing the benefits of Constituent Relationship Management systems has become critical for organizations that are looking to solidify the long-term viability of their fundraising, advocacy, and advancement programs. This has created an urgency for organizations to find answers to the following question… Why do so many Constituent […]