How many times have we heard that adage that you must spend money to make money? During the 2008 recession when companies cut back on travel, SuccessfulMeetings.com posted this article, “Business Travel Study: Companies That Spend More, Make More.” The article shared the results of a 10-year study funded by the National Business Travel Association. The study found that for every $1 spent on business travel, over $15 could be earned. The report cautioned that under-spending on travel ... Read On >
Administration
Outlandish marketing for your benefit auction? Not really.
Earlier in September I was in New York for business. New York City has a lot of street hawkers, and this guy was selling purses. He was dressed as Superman. Carried a purse over each arm. Held up a big sign indicating the price. Wore a big smile and "danced a little jig" to music blaring from his portable CD player. While he oversaw the "in your face" marketing, his two buddies sold purses. Is this idea crazy for your benefit auction? Heck no! It's fun! This past spring, one of my ... Read On >
“Funding Edge” covers managing volunteers. (Red Apple has an article!)
If you are searching for content around the theme of volunteers (managing volunteers ... how many to use at your fundraising auction ... where to find them), check out the latest issue of the quarterly newsletter, The Funding Edge, which is published by the auction software company Auctionpay. The fall issue has several articles devoted to the subject of volunteers, and the lead article is written by ... me! My article is "Four Tips to Keeping Your Volunteers Engaged." Dig in, as I'm sure ... Read On >
Confessions from one of the auction team (Iris)
Here's a first for my blog: a guest article. Iris, one of the Washington, D.C.-based auction team members, told me one night that she felt really inspired to write about her experiences as part of the floor crew. I said, "Then you should write about your experiences." She did. It's below. +++++ With a parting glance in the full length mirror I grab my coat, and make my way to my car. I am off into the night. A mix of anticipation and apprehension fills the air as I careen down the highway ... Read On >
Tips to Reduce No-Shows at Your Benefit Auction
This past spring, one of my clients experienced a higher-than-usual 9.5% no-show rate at their gala. If all of the no-shows had been seated together (they weren't), it would have amounted to over three empty tables. A significant number of no-shows impacts your benefit auction. First, you've likely already paid for the food so that is an incurred expense. Second, fewer guests means fewer people to bid on merchandise. Third, if it's obvious there are a number of guests missing, it may have a ... Read On >