Posts tagged Commentary
Holiday Sales Impress
Jan 13th
The Internet marketing research company, comScore, Inc. provides marketing data and services to many of the Internet’s largest businesses. Last week, they announced that 2010 holiday sales advanced 12% in the November and December holiday season. Sales in excess of $32.6 billion took place during that time. What’s impressive is comScore’s assertion of that being a new all-time record.
Impressive, indeed.
Since Amazon.com is a Click. Buy. Help. merchant, it is interesting to keep track of their success, using these kinds of reports as a barometer.
The Ten “C”s of Volunteerism
Aug 23rd
Motorola is not just a major corporation. It is also known for its philanthropy and for its focus on helping its employees volunteer in their communities. Employees are able to take one day with pay each year to participate in the company’s Global Day of Service. Other major employers could learn a lot from Motorola.
Each year, Motorola carries on a tradition that began in 1992 and recognizes exceptional service among Motorola employees. They award outstanding employees with the Motorola CEO Award for Volunteerism. A past winner is Ron Walton and it is his definition of volunteerism for which this post is named.
Although the year of Ron’s award is not known, the essence of the following points are as true today as they were whenever he was recognized. Please allow me to share Ron’s list with you now: More >
Amazon Juggernaut Rolls On
Aug 16th
Amazon.com continues to be the most successful retailer on Click. Buy. Help. Each of the member organizations promote Amazon.com to their supporters and it is surfacing as the most popular place for supporters to start their online shopping. With an enormous collection of products from a seemingly endless (oh wait, that’s one of their brands, too!) selection of merchants, Amazon is one of the best retailers organizations can choose for helping supporters begin their Click. Buy. Help. experience.
And the Juggernaut Rolls On. More >
Board Member Participation Begins with Careful Selection
May 1st
Expect Full Participation
Understanding that the commentary posted on Click. Buy. Help. is intended for everyone at a non-profit organization, this topic may be somewhat “touchy.” A substantial difference in perspectives are brought to bear (rightfully so) between Board Members, Executive Directors, paid staff, volunteers, involved constituents, and loyal supporters. This is not meant to “pick on” Board Members. It is merely intended to bring to light an important and required element for success: Participation. So, for the duration of this post, I will be speaking directly to Executive Directors and Board Chairs.
In the past, I have been exposed to situations where participation and attendance at events by the leaders (sometimes Board Members) of non-profit organizations has been lacking. Other times, leaders from the group directly benefitting from the non-profit’s event have even been absent. While you may or may not be able to relate personally, believe me, those circumstances are awkward at best and divisive or worse at the other end of the spectrum.
Haiti’s Refoundation – Not Reconstruction
Mar 25th
One of the many podcasts to which I subscribe is from National Public Radio’s Planet Money. Being an economics nerd, I enjoy their simple explanations, discussions and conversations about complex financial topics facing today’s world. There have been a number of editions recently where the disaster in Haiti was used as a backdrop for both global and local profiles. However, a specific edition caused me to take particular notice, especially with a connection to Click. Buy. Help.‘s support of Haiti through the American Red Cross.
In Episode 160 on March 16, podcasters Adam Davidson and Chana Joffe-Walt discuss their recent visit and their time with Haitian Primer Minister Jean Max Bellerive. It is interesting to note the Prime Minister’s unique situation as being able to cause a “Refoundation” as opposed to a “Reconstruction.”
The difference between these two terms is profound.
Prime Minister Bellerive does not favor the term “Reconstruction” since it implies the restoring of Haiti to the condition it was before the earthquake. His belief is substantially more visionary – he believes that a “Refoundation” is needed, or stated another way, pursuing a path of building the foundation of a country the way it should be – not the way it was. Naturally, there is considerable discussion along with the actual interview and I won’t attempt to recap it here. Anyone interested would be hard pressed to more wisely invest just under 19 minutes listening to the podcast. The important aspect is this unique, one time chance to fundamentally change the country.
Of course, a “Refoundation” will be expensive. Roads, infrastructure, schools, government, health care – the list goes on and on – will take billions of dollars. But it is not just the sheer volume of funds, but the enormous and varied sources of those funds. A seemingly overwhelming challenge will be in how to manage the sources of support continuing to pour in – and making the best “foundational” use of those funds – from all over the world.
Yes, there is a connection to Click. Buy. Help.
Thank you for your willingness to change a habit when shopping online. Please continue to support the American Red Cross through the Red Cross for Haiti page. If you are a part of a U.S.-based non-profit organization and want to join us, please get in touch. If you simply want to help, click through to your favorite retailer and make a regular purchase – the commission on that sale will generate a donation – and you will have helped Haiti along its path to a “Refoundation.”
Many thanks,
Dave
First Increase in Charitable Giving in Three Years
Jun 29th
Posted by Click. Buy. Help. in Commentary
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Fortunately, there also seems to be good news overall in the world of philanthropy.
More >