My manager had what was affectionately called a “Tickler File”. The black box held his general relationships and the red box held the “Hot” or new relationships. Each week, he went through his tickler file, and recorded notes about these relationships and would make lists of activities or things to do with these relationships (the post-it notes).
Buzz Words and Boards
The roles of Boards are ever changing. Whether they are changing from fiduciary to advisory, or just gaining new members, Board management and engagement can be a full time job in itself. Here are some best practices that make Board engagement more manageable.
You can never say THANK YOU too often nor too late
In this age of digital communication, it is easy to think that it is more important to be quick with a response or a thank you….I would like to share a few brief stories of how handwritten notes have impacted my career.
Manage the Elephant in the Room
An agenda helps everyone to be focused on a goal, and to understand your expectations as the meeting organizer. It makes the most of your meeting with your prospect and demonstrates respect for the time they are giving you.
This glass is always empty
Before you suggest that my territory is too small for some sort of plan, answer this: are there parts of your territory that routinely require you to drive 25 minutes plus from your base of operations? It is easy to think 25 minutes, one way, as not that much area, but that is actually about an hour of “windshield time”. If you go and comeback for 2 or 3 appointments in a day, that is 2-3 hours of productivity you lost (and may be making up after hours).
Fundraisers, it’s time to ACT!
Sportscasters would define him as a natural talent, and Michael Jordan would quickly correct them and explain how he had to work everyday to be the best, and if he couldn’t he stepped aside (ref: his brief baseball career). In his words, “My practice habits were great”.