One of my projects in my last year of working at GE was planning the annual senior management meeting. That’s when all of the senior team convened in an upscale hotel and spent 3 or 4-days in executive-level strategy and training sessions. Although we had internal speakers, we also hired outside facilitators, motivational speakers, and similar types. The vetting process was aggressive. I spent hours selecting contractors, watching their videos, reading articles, studying websites, and calling referrals. Why did I bother with such intense vetting of a mere contractor who would be working with us for an hour? Because I « Continue Reading »
May 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Should you really give that guy a microphone? (Or “How to lose your corporate job.”)
May 14, 2013 By 2 Comments
Where smart Auction Chairs spend their money
Established auction committees tend to write lots of checks. A budget for fundraising gala will vary by group (for instance, you might have access to a free venue; others might negotiate discounted printing), but when we look at the budgets of committees coast-to-coast, we see common expenses. And it’s not uncommon to see costs shape up like the chart on the right. So do you think that if you write the biggest check to the caterer or the venue or the band (pick a category), they are providing the greatest help to you in your mission? Probably not. Let's consider some examples ... If the florist creates « Continue Reading »
May 7, 2013 By 2 Comments
Auction decoration ideas: Elegant (yes, elegant) balloons
I don't like to write about auction decoration ideas. If it doesn't make you money, I'm less inclined to spend time educating you on it. And rarely do auction decorations make you money. But many of the volunteers on your benefit auction committees LOVE talking about decor, don't they? They get excited planning the colors ... considering the centerpieces ... thinking of ways to incorporate fun elements. It pains me that your budget for the decor may grow out of control. (It's so much smarter to spend your budget on more important elements, like a top-notch auctioneer.) Sadly, I'd also be willing to guess that « Continue Reading »
April 30, 2013 By 6 Comments
The OTHER thing to never say on stage at a benefit auction
Back in 2009, I penned an article that got quite a bit of traction on both my blog and social media outlets. It was called, “The one thing to never say on stage at a benefit auction.” (You might want to read that, if you haven't.) It’s time to revise. I now have TWO things you should never say on stage. When I wrote that article, I was referring to the recession. Some of my clients were hell-bent on reminding their auction guests that the USA was experiencing an economic downturn. They felt obligated to remind everyone of precarious times. In some twisted way, they thought that reminding guests of life's « Continue Reading »
April 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Silent auction entertainment that startles
One of my auctions this past weekend used this silent auction entertainment idea. As the idea is fresh in my mind, it’s a perfect time to give you some pointers on using this concept. They’re called living statues. Also called “human statues,” the idea is that a person stands “frozen” until he receives a donation or otherwise wants to startle a passer-by. At that point, he changes his position. Here’s why I like this form of entertainment ... and some tips on getting the most out of this investment. 1. Unlike casinos, which physically and mentally take guests away from the silent auction, this form « Continue Reading »
March 25, 2013 By 2 Comments
Use lemon scent to boost charitable giving at your gala auction
Before the live auction begins at your next gala, consider running through the ballroom spritzing a lemon-scented air freshener. Worst case, ask the hotel housekeeping for a clean smelling window-cleaner and do the same thing. Some 2009 research proved that smelling citrus dramatically increases our charitable nature. The study found a big improvement in ethical behavior with just a few spritzes of citrus-scented Windex. Katie Liljenquist of Brigham Young University, Chen-Bo Zhong of The University of Toronto, and Adam Galinsky of Northwestern University published their findings, titled "The Smell of Virtue: Clean Scents « Continue Reading »
March 19, 2013 By 2 Comments
Too good to be true? Playing it smart with unsolicited auction items.
When I first started my business, I prospected for business by cold calling. (Cold calling means reaching out to someone who doesn’t know you and to whom you have no connection.) At the time I was living in Miami, FL so I Googled lists of area private schools and nonprofits. I’d visit each group’s Website, researching it to see if they held an auction. If they did, I’d call them to tell them about my services. I share this because if you’ve posted anything about your benefit auction on your website, don’t be surprised when “donations” start appearing in your email inbox! Photography services, fabulous homes « Continue Reading »
March 5, 2013 By 9 Comments
How to get auction guests to notice your fabulous benefit auction items
The last time I visited my parents, I did a lot of work outside. But before I could mow, trim, dig, rake, and haul, I needed to remove about 30 orange and yellow flags from the yard. The city had cross-crossed my parents lawn with small flags identifying various cable and utility lines in preparation for some work that had been completed a couple of months earlier. When I asked Dad why he wanted me to store the flags versus just throwing them away, he said, “You never know when they might come in handy.” Well, he’s right. And as I knew he'd never miss one flag, I packed one into my suitcase to share this idea with « Continue Reading »
February 26, 2013 By Leave a Comment
5 ways to keep your benefit auction’s sex appeal
February is synonymous with Valentine's Day, so this month I've committed to writing every blog post with a tie-in to love, romance, sex and even lust. We've covered auctioneer one night stands, training your auction volunteers to flirt in the silent auction, and showing the love to your guests. Today, it's about sex appeal. (You know, keeping your benefit auction fresh and attractive.) +++++ Has your gala auction lost its sex appeal? Earlier this month I talked with a long-time auction chair. For 17 years she's overseen the auction and she's bored. Her loving feelings are gone. After almost two decades of « Continue Reading »
February 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment
How to write auction thank you letters that show the love
February is the month we set aside for showing affection (Valentine's Day and all that...), so this month every blog post ties into love, romance, sex and perhaps lust. Last week covered one night stands. The week prior looked at training your volunteers to flirt in the silent auction. Today, it's about showing your guests some love. +++++ Here's a short blog post with a big message. It's an easy way to show your guests you love them. Thank them. And make it all about the cause when you do. Last year I worked with Headwaters Foundation, a public school foundation that supports what has traditionally been one of the « Continue Reading »
