Finance vs. Fundraising

boxing gloves

Every nonprofit knows both the finance and fundraising departments are critical to its success. So why does it always seem that the two departments almost never get along? Communication and understanding – or lack thereof – is typically to blame. The finance department needs a consistent monthly cash flow to ensure operations continue uninterrupted. The […]

Are you a “checklist” Marketer?

Check List Marketing

I recently took the Real Colors personality test through the Marion Leadership in Action program. I found the test to be quite accurate and very enlightening. (If you have not had the opportunity to find out your “real colors”, I would encourage you to do so.) Through the process of taking the Real Colors test, […]

Customer Service is the NEW Marketing!

Hug Your Haters

Everyone says they provide excellent customer service, but studies show that this is actually a pipe dream most companies have. Customer service has actually become a rare practice and exceptional customer service is almost unheard of. To change that, companies must recognize that customer service is everyone’s job and that it has become the new […]

Business Development: It is Everyone’s Job

teamwork ocean

Business Development. Sales. Client Management. Client Retention. Customer Service. No matter what you call it – developing and maintaining relationships with prospects, customers, and clients is the key to getting and keeping work in any industry. While this activity usually falls under the marketing umbrella of activities, it is not a Lone Ranger job that […]

Are you all atweet about twitter yet?

birds

As a marketer, I am all atweet about using Twitter as a marketing tool. In the past, many were skeptical of using social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter for professional representation of their firm or non-profit organization. Nevertheless, like anything else with time the twitter facts speak for themselves. As of today, Twitter […]

“To Be or Not To Be.” LinkedIn – Take 2

fashion show

In my last post “To Be or Not To Be.” LinkedIn – Take 1, I started the conversation about being LinkedIn.  In this post I will help guide you into having a rock star LinkedIn presence and answer the most frequently asked questions when I am presenting on getting LinkedIn. Why LinkedIn? It is so […]

“To Be or Not To Be.” LinkedIn – Take 1

LinkedIn Profile

I have this LinkedIn conversation regularly with so many professionals. I am very passionate about every professional person and aspiring professional including college students having a completed and active LinkedIn profile. I am so passionate about it I have been asked to give this presentation about being LinkedIn over a dozen times. It does not […]

Meet Cam Nelson

Cam Nelson

HI, I’M CAM YOUR SPARK TEAM ASSISTANT 01 A LITTLE DITTY Cam is a Sophomore at Grand View University in Des Moines studying Sports Management and Human Resources. Cam is a member of the Men’s Basketball Team, the View Crew, Team GV, and FCA. His responsibilities include giving tours of the campus, freshman orientation, and incoming […]