In a previous post, I introduced “A Four-Step Process for Effective Grantsmanship,” including: (1) prospecting for foundation funding, (2) cultivation, (3) grant proposal development, and (4) grant management and stewardship. (See Chapter Five in my ebook: Grants & Grantsmanship) So far, I’ve provided a lot of information on steps one through three, as well as …

This post as a distillation from Chapter IV of my upcoming book: Unleashing the Power of Your Story smashwords, Winter, 2013. My last post focused on learning to see your current story. This entry is about creating a new one. You Can Change your Story Remember that we are exploring the story you have told …

An email raised this question: My organization is in the process of developing a Fundraising Committee. Three of our Board members are on this Committee and we are trying to determine other non-Board members who we could invite to join as well. We have one major gift donor who began to fund us at the …

The World of Stories Human history and literature are replete with myths and stories—about the heavens, the earth, planting, the harvest, winter, summer, light, darkness, nations, war, peace, families, and individuals. All of these stories, our personal ones and our larger myths, are interconnected. Our individual stories are narratives we have told ourselves about our …

All managers aspire to be better leaders — but what is it that makes a leader effective? The Leadership Code offers five pivotal rules that lay out how the leadership game is played. How well do you apply them to your day–to–day actions? 1. Strategist–Leaders shape the future As a strategist, you must answer the …

Most of us would agree that internships are probably the best kind of training since it involves real world experience usually attached to related academic work. There are some disagreements as to the value and cost to the company. And, although how internships operate, whether paid or unpaid, and does depend on the country involved, …

Did Carnival learn anything from a similar 2010 incident? As passengers stranded on Carnival Cruise’s Triumph share stories of disgusting conditions, including cabin carpets soaked with water and urine, overflowing toilets, sewage leaking down walls and four-hour lines for hot food, one has to wonder just how seriously Carnival takes its crisis management planning. The …

“It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” Ralph Waldo Emerson This post is part 2 in a series of posts dedicated to the committed relationships with stakeholders I’ve worked with over the past year, who continue to inspire me …

I work for a non-profit membership society as an advertising and marketing manager, a position that falls under the umbrella of the development office. I am responsible for advertising in our member publications and on our website, and for selling sponsorships to local and national corporations. I am having a difficult time separating out the …

“It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” Ralph Waldo Emerson This post is dedicated to the committed stakeholders I’ve worked with over the past year, who continue to inspire me to follow their example of helping others. The season …