The Ask

The Ask: How to Ask for Support for Your Nonprofit Cause, Creative Project, or Business Venture

Don’t think this is a book for fundraisers!

How to ask for a promotion, raise, help, advice. This is a book about the mechanics of asking and it is brilliant.

It’s also a current publication that takes the post-recession job and donation into consideration at every turn so if you’re afraid to ask because of this reason – this book will help you navigate this tough topic.

Take a trip “behind the curtain” with a master multi-million dollar fundraiser, ex-lawyer and top-rated speaker ( I have heard her speak and she is top rated for a reason ) Laura Fredericks.

The side by side comparisons of the social-profit and for-profit asking are very helpful because there are lessons to be learned by both types of professional.

THANK YOU Laura for debunking the myth that if you want money – ask a rich person. Her entire chapter on how to engage, approach, research and ask the wealthy was not just illuminating it just may be worth the price of the entire book.

This book is filled with the WORDS of asking which again has never really been put down on paper in either for-profit or charity world. What the actual conversations look like.

The chapter on “asking for yourself” – Wow. Big value. Very thoughtful and objective real world advice. Young people take note, a raise isn’t the only thing you should be asking for. This book walks you through title changes, pay increases and most importantly when NOT to ask and why. Take it from Laura who at Pace University managed hundreds of staff. Another ‘worth the price of the book’ chapter.

Lastly and this is why every fundraiser, business person, board member and young professional should read this book. The chapters on “No” and “The response to your ask”. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen a non-negotiation book go so deeply into this topic.

 
This is required reading for development professionals, Executive Diretors, board members and career hungry professionals in marketing and sales.

If you ever think of booking Laura as a speaker, I highly encourage it…

Paul

This is an odd computer generated review – but a good one!

Social Intelligence

Originally Read May 2010 Social Intelligence: The New Science of Human Relationships

Seth Godin in cahoots with the legendary Daniel Goleman?

Not yet but they are both in lockstep on the power of the “old brain” or “lizard brain” and it’s ability to do damage to our daily social interactions.

Love Mr. Goleman’s description of the daily social interaction economy in our lives and its impact on our fulfillment and success in business and life.

What Susan Scott calls “being aware of our emotional wake”.

The last book and Human Resources game changer “Emotional Intelligence” was of great help to me, I’m not an HR person, nor am I a scientist ( I’m an english lit guy who is deathly afraid of math, science and boredom inducing conversations ) but this is very interesting stuff that has a huge impact on work, career and success.

Ps. I listened to the audio version. These types of methodology books that do have a lot of “science talks” are impossible to read ( for me ).

The first book I read by Goleman caused me to pass out on the subway and miss my stop. Subway security woke me up and asked if I was a stock broker who had just lost my job.

So um……get the audio book!

The Anatomy of Peace

Originally read May 2010

The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict

It’s been a great fear of mine because I know it’s true.

We can’t change others, the most profound and powerful change is the ability to change ourselves.

It’s the key to our own happiness.

But I can’t find any good resources to start about this mind-altering change!

The previous book by this group ( Leadership and Self-Deception ) was amazing but this book blows even that away.

A fable format book ( so you can’t skim it even if you wanted to ) this resource is has given me specific methods to change my own thoughts, actions and feelings.

I have read so many management books about “dealing” with others.

So many problems can be solved if I “deal” with myself first – and finally I can.

This book has applications for work yes but please know it is a powerful tool for personal/family life. The core part of the story deals with parenting troubled children and working in a toxic workplace.

Thank you to LinkedIn Answers and a fellow fundraiser for the book referral!

The Best Service is No Service

Originally read Jan 2010

The Best Service is No Service: How to Liberate Your Customers from Customer Service, Keep Them Happy, and Control Costs

Best on audio this book is the PERFECT read/listen if you’re thinking about how to improve your customer service and website in the new year!

I actually ran out of ink in my pen taking notes!

The concept is simply how to boost customer service through 100 simple methods so you can cut down on traditional customer service time and money wasters!

Attention non-profit folks who have no “front line” army to answer the phone!

High value – NOTE it’s a long listen/read so don’t feel guilty skipping and skimming.

It’s worth the effort! In less than one quarter I used these methods to boost both my closed deals and higher level customer contacts.

This book has become one of my top referrals in 2011 and I’ll be using it 90% of my presentations in 2012 – we always talk about what we should START doing but never what we need to STOP doing.

Think smart.

Let me know if you want details.

Leave you with great video talking about the book:

Step Into the Spotlight

Originally read Feb 2010

Step Into the Spotlight: ‘Cause all business is show business.

I KNOW what you’re thinking.

Even the author admits “I should sell this book in a brown paper bag” because no one will read this in public.

Even I let it sit and then read it in private – the title insinuates shallow promotion. WRONG AGAIN.

This book should be titled, “tips for real human beings who work in client service, want to stand out and not be phony”.

It is the sharpest book I’ve ever read on being your best professional self, heck it’s helped me to be “on” much less.

Two side notes: 1) If you are a fan of “wise quotes to make you think” this book has over two dozen killer quotes peppered throughout.

2) I pity you if you take this as a negative but this book is surprisingly written by a Canadian!

Our culture, tons of good business references from Ontario you can learn from.

Probably the highest print quality Canadian book I’ve read in a long time.

If you serve clients, donors, customers – read this book to make better impressions, stand out and above the boring drone of your profession for the right reasons and oh yeah, make money/close gifts too.

The author is a high priced connecting consultant to those employed to do the above…
we got to chatting once about great reads..

Shame about the title though.

Crucial Conversations

Feb, 2010

Crucial Conversations:Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High

FINALLY a book about real life situations.

“Negotiating” books are very popular
I can name you a dozen titles recommended to me.
Great bedtime reading. Most are useless you are a CEO.

But this book is all about (don’t be fooled by the “stakes are high” phrase in the title) those every-day critical conversations that affect your day, week, month, job, life and relationships at work and home.

I’m talking hallway talk, return from weekend talk, start of the meeting talk, walking to elevator talk, ambushed by boss talk, ambushed by spouse coming in the door talk – Wow it was short and powerful.

A surprisingly quick read with razor sharp concepts you can understand.

Are you being pushed at the office/home from the top, the sides and from below?

Read this book sooooon! A powerful weapon for peace at work and home.

Only problem, after reading this book I put every title by the authors on hold at the library. Each one is a “must read” and I refer them weekly.

A good follow up to this book for managers is “Crucial Confrontations
If you’re a LinkedIn or networking fan you’ll need to read “Influencer

Seems each of these titles are on the reading lists of over 60% of my network.
Let me know if you want the titles.

Until then, enjoy these helpful tips from the authors..

Be the Hero


Be the Hero: Three Powerful Ways to Overcome Challenges in Work and Life

Six words: Change your stories, change your life.

I love fable format books.

This book was a quick read that will help anyone get out from under “victim thinking”.

Most importantly it can help you dissolve bitterness and have a hopeful outlook on the future.

I had to come back and change this review 24 hours after – as I started to apply the learning ( change: the stories I tell myself about me, situations, about others….) I had a wonderful experience and can feel a change in the way I relate to my immediate family, co-workers and my job.

Are you stuck in the middle of what you know must be a change in your attitude?

Get unstuck with this book!

Fierce Leadership

Fierce Leadership: A Bold Alternative to the Worst “Best” Practices of Business Today
This is a book that is needed right now.
In all organizations and sectors.
It’s like a medicated balm for the professional challenges of myself and my network.
A lot of tools on how to reset your compass and follow your moral gut in a sea of gutless leaders.
This book describes many of my best mentors who exist in my network – young professionals take note – this is a must read or you’ll end up like the managers you hate.
Thank you to the Association of Fundraising Professionals International resource network on LinkedIn for first sharing this title.

Old Habits Die Hard – 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

It was the first “business book” I ever read.

Like most people, it was given to me by a parent.

I read it and forgot it almost instantly.

But a decade later, I picked it up and it became the foundation of what I consider a “professional” and a “leader” to be.

It’s not fun to recommend this book.

Everyone looks at you condescendingly like you’re an idiot and says “oh that, I read that eons ago” and turns away half muttering “naive child”

But do they remember even one habit?
Do they live any of them?
Probably not, I know because I was one of those people.

And now I read it every single year.
I get something new and powerful out of it every time.

To start this blog off, it is the perfect first step on our journey together.

I leave you with the most powerful chart that I first found in the book.

It continues to rock my world. Q2 rules.

Twittervenger or Twitternoyance?

Two connected profiles.
One too weak, one too active….

I do spend a good deal of time on LinkedIn.
Make no mistake, it pays me dividends in work and life.
It’s the Facebook of business.

But a select few were hogging my update page.
With good and interesting information – but too much.
Then there are the um. other posts.
The ones meant for Facebook [ I crinkle my nose at that word ]

A week ago a peer of mine confessed to me ……
“You post too much on LinkedIn, it’s annoying”
Me?!?!? But then I realized that I was caught between worlds.

Too much on LinkedIN…not engaged enough on Twitter.

Just because you can link them, doesn’t mean you should. Got it.

So three steps here….

1) I’m going to “hide” the updates of those who post too much on linkedin. Yes, I’ll miss their useful updates but when you swear or post too much about your day or dinner – I’m out

2) I’ve partially disconnected my two accounts. Good for you LinkedIn, they have a new feature where you can still post but in a modified way.

3) I am going to commit to learning how to use Twitter. Found out that I’ve missed a few opportunities because I didn’t know. I just don’t want to end up like this guy.

So, I’m going to learn from the jedi masters in my business network who put out useful information….
The Agents of Good
Scott Fornum
Claire Kerr
Paula Attfield at Stephen Thomas
Jenny Henry
Kimberley MacKenzie

Thanks for teaching me how to do it right!

Just one confession to be clear.
I started using LinkedIn a lot more when we had a baby and I was home a lot more.
I’m using Twitter a lot more because I finally got a smartphone
So THAT’s how I’ll manage the time. Waiting for the bus!

Now my profiles will hopefully look and be more like this