tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1410527928650560979.post1272675281339741946..comments2024-03-22T03:36:37.800-04:00Comments on Donor Relations Guru: In Desperate Need: TranslatorsDonor Relations Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768044971685878089noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1410527928650560979.post-2496155441370140892014-11-13T10:07:15.079-05:002014-11-13T10:07:15.079-05:00Lynne, you are right on target, as always. I am a ...Lynne, you are right on target, as always. I am a 'translator' for our office, and have spent a lot of time investigating processes in order to understand and explain them, and how they impact other things, to both the Development Officers and Fundraising staff and to the Chairs and fiscal administrators on the academic side. Understanding how various systems and processes work, and either work together where they intersect (or clash disastrously), is key to getting things done. <br /><br />And yes, I have learned (to my great joy) that when I sit down with the truly technical person who is actually going to build the report I am asking for, that talking about what I think I need and want to accomplish lets her ask the questions, and raise relevant issues, that I didn't know existed, and when answered, makes the reports more robust and accurate, and helps make them useful not just for my office but for our division and other areas across campus. Taking the time to explain what you are doing (or trying to do) is deeply respectful, and allows technical people to bring their specific skills and knowledge to bear on your project, to do it right, and usually to do it better than you imagined--let them help... the payoff is huge. I have found this is also true for subject matter experts in any system or area. Fay Lauro.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1410527928650560979.post-5542028552597692922014-10-15T12:08:52.034-04:002014-10-15T12:08:52.034-04:0010 votes for Prospect Managers, the office bridge-...10 votes for Prospect Managers, the office bridge-builders! We must, or we wouldn't last a day. (We all know the angry PM stereotype: good at data but "bad at people". Run away!) Good PMs love clean data but also care about fundraisers & seeing them succeed. I think there are two types of PMs: desk jockeys vs. those who get up to visit fundraisers in their offices, on their turf, regularly. Doing #2 gets you the results you want: respect for your work & fundraisers who use the data. Bonus: you get invited to more happy hours. Just sayin'. A lot happens at those happy hours. (AJ Wiley)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com