Comments on: Is Your Sales Funnel More Like a Sales Sieve?

By: Mike Stankavich

Mike Stankavich — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:53:56 +0000

Charlotte, your experience reminded me of thoughts I have had lately about leadership. It sounds like many if not all of the groups that you contacted were lacking in strong leadership. I’d be willing to bet that if you engaged any one of those volunteers under neutral circumstances, they would admit that their organization could stand some improvements, but they are all waiting for somebody else to step up.

I’ve come to realize that any self-doubt that I have about leadership abilities is just that, no more. I’ll bet you could start your own group and run rings around all of those outfits.
Mike Stankavich´s last blog ..Home Networking Versus Voluntary Simplicity

By: Charlotte | inspirIT

Charlotte | inspirIT — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:25:33 +0000

@ Nathalie – Definitely don’t give up on rescue organizations just because of a couple of bad experiences. I used to volunteer as a foster family/home visitor at a wonderful Golden rescue when I lived in TX. You’re right that because the organization is made up of volunteers it can be a little hit or miss sometimes – especially when the rescue works with popular breeds, because in this economy so many people are abandoning their dogs and everyone is overworked – but on the whole, a good rescue will work closely with you to find you a dog which matches your personality and lifestyle. If you’re not set on a particular breed you can also work with all-breed rescues, which are often quicker about placing dogs.

@ William – That’s a very good way to look at it. Seeing it from the rescue’s perspective, I’m sure they don’t know how their “sales” process looks to potential adopters, or presumably they’d change what they do.

@ Joshua – Vegetarian turkey? Is that kind of like the “mock duck” that comes in cans? Glad you found the post useful.

By: Joshua

Joshua — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:04:16 +0000

Charlotte,

I have to say that this post really made me think. It made me think about ALL of my consumer experiences. About buying the vegetarian turkey for thanksgiving…and not getting a reply to the email I sent. etc….

It also made me think about my own biz. Am I adding value…Do I have a strong sales process…Do I respond to customer inquiry, and I think most frightening, do I even have a product to sell!

My main take away: put on my customer’s hat and see what they experience.

Thanks for sharing this anecdote.

By: William @ DIY Video Marketing

William @ DIY Video Marketing — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:03:12 +0000

I love working with nonprofits and organizations with a mission… but one thing I’ve learned is that ofttimes some people within them have, shall we say, a martyr complex. Which makes it hard to step back and look with an objective eye at one’s own shortcomings…
William @ DIY Video Marketing´s last blog ..YouTube Gets One Quindozillion Views a Second

By: Nathalie Lussier

Nathalie Lussier — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:03:04 +0000

Wow! I’ve been wanting to adopt a dog for a few months, or at least considering the option since I just moved. I didn’t know how much of a weird organization this might turn out to be. A friend of mine had troubles with dog adoption / fostering places as well here in Canada… so maybe it’s the industry or the volunteer thing that doesn’t seem to work well?

I loved your take away points. You definitely zeroed in on changes that would make this whole thing so much better!
Nathalie Lussier´s last blog ..What Eating Raw Food Has to Do with Tree Planting