Guy Richards - Ordinary life with a brand strategist

10 Secrets of Successful Fundraisers / Free e-book

Hi Everyone,

Below is a link to a short e-book from my good friend Jerry Twombly. Jerry is one of the world leaders in Non-profit fundraising. He has helped organizations like Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, Campus Crusade. His heart is to stop the estimated 30% of Chritian non-profits from going under in the next year. Please pass this alogn.

NOTE FROM JERRY-
My new book titled 10 Secrets of Successful Fundraisers is now available for immediate download. You can secure your free copy now by clicking on this link: 10 Successful Fundraisers

This 26 page book is filled with practical steps that anyone can apply immediately and be assured of dramatic results.  Follow the time honored principles and your organization will flourish in its efforts to increase annual giving while posturing you for intermediate and long term success. 

And while you are at it, would you pass on the link to a friend in the business of raising funds?  If you maintain a website or personal blog, feel free to add the link as a service to others.  My goal is to help as many organizations as possible in their efforts to maintain viability in this challenging economic environment.  Thanks for your willingness to consider being a part of my distribution team!

When you don't have it, you just become them / CREATING IT

Here is the latest column I wrote for CBA Retailers+Resources.

Enjoy...When you don't have it, you just become them.

(CLICK ON BRANDING UNDER COLUMNS)

Common Theme All Great Leaders Have

I was thinking about leadership today and it struck me that the best leaders I have met share one thing in common: discernment. They use it to inspire and direct people to a bigger purpose regardless of their vocation.  The best leaders connect. 

Look at Jesus who used a rock for a pillow but inspired thousands to live for eternity.  Love you guys!

PS. Those crowds of thousands multiplied to millions to billions.

Christian Leadership Conference

Picture summary of the Christian Leadership Conference.

 

Executive Brand Counsel / Booth set-up

Booth set-up / step one

The Abiah booth / "What is your dream?" board starting

Dreams are coming

People dreaming big

Just spoke at the CEO forum
















Executive Brand Counsel /About to teach the workshop "Affecting millions to develop billions in a Facebook world"

Executive Brand Counsel / Riding the 47 floor glass elevator

47 floor elevator next to Starbucks / Free rides

Farewell

Hurting Parent

My daughter was running with her hands in her pockets stumbled and smacked her face on the pavement this week. The day after it happened she was throwing up all day.

That night I was putting her to bed and she held me, looked at me with her scabbed up face crying "daddy give me something to drink." I couldn't because she was throwing it up. My heart broke. Her I'm her dad and I can't comfort her.

At that moment I thought of all the parents around the world listening to their kids cry of hunger. This was hard to go through but I'm thankful I was able to be reminded of the lives saved through Abiah's "Precious Seeds" program. This month 504 kids were feed and told about Jesus through Compassion.

From phone

Purpose

Without a purpose decisions are near impossible. You will always second guess yourself. What is your pupose?

AMI Rebrand

I have had a busy few weeks. Here are a few pictures of AMI's two 09' Mini Coopers that were apart of the rebrand we rolled out yesterday. Enjoy...

Sorrow Through Wisdom

Today, I spoke at a donor development conference on building brands that impact the world in our new social culture.  After watching this video I couldn’t help to think how true this verse is that was written thousands of years ago.

"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief." Ecclesiastes 1:18
(NIV)

Knowledge is different than wisdom. Knowledge is to know something but not discern its ways. “To be aware” would explain it in simpler terms.

And wisdom is to be able to discern the right course even if it is painful. 

I guest wisdom could make you sad because of the pain it causes watching other people fall off a cliff that could have been avoided.

We the people of this world have never been more advanced in technology, communication and knowledge, yet we are slipping faster away from morals, respect and authentic relationships.  

Top 20 Mistakes Marketers Make When Rebranding

This is a list of mistakes published by my friend Anaezi Modu, the founder and Executive Director of ReBrand. ReBrand recognizes the world’s most effective rebrands in its annual ReBrand 100® Global Awards. This program has become the benchmark award for the brand development community over the last 5 years.

They'll make you smile...enjoy!

1. Clinging to history.

2. Thinking the brand is the logo, stationery or corporate colors.

3. Navigating without a plan.

4. Refusing to hire a branding consultant without industry experience.

5. Not leveraging existing brand equity and goodwill.

6. Not trying on your customer’s shoes.

7. The rebrand lacks credibility or is a superficial facelift.

8. Limiting the influence of branding partners.

9. Believing rebranding costs too much.

10. Not planning ahead for adaptation.

11. Bypassing the basics.

12. Not calling the call center.

13. Forgetting that people don’t do what they say.(They do what they do.)

14. Getting strong-armed or intimidated by consultants.

15. Putting the wrong person in charge.

16. Strategy by committee.

17. Rebranding without research.

18. Basing a rebrand on advertising.

19. Tunnel focus.

20. Believing you’re too small to rebrand.

For the full explanations on each…

Strategic Pricing

I was talking to a printer a few days ago for about a job we were doing. While I had him on the phone I asked him to ball park another job for me.

That’s when the “brace yourself” dialog started. He proceed to tell me how the print industry is currently running at about 94% capacity and that the paper manufactures have been putting out communications to the printers that prices will increase due to the stimulus bill. (Think of all the paper that has to be printed for the billions being lent.)

The print industry won’t be the only one raising prices. Keep an eye out for areas where demand will rise. Because there you will see the price tags follow suite. 

Talk soon