Executive Issues

Ted Hart speaks with organizational development, fundraising, evaluation and strategic planning teacher and consultant Reid A. Zimmerman about his seven deadly sayings from his new book, "The Seven Deadly Sayings of Nonprofit Leaders: Avoiding Them in Your Organization," on his Nonprofit Coach radio show.

Consistent fundraising success doesn't just happen. It takes serious work and commitment. And many organizations have a hard time getting it right.

Do you have a written operational plan to follow for you and your team? Having a plan helps you see and evaluate the current road map already in place. A plan review helps you determine what resources your organization needs and helps you set goals and objectives for the future. Having said this, you must be experienced with plans and have a vision for what the "master" plan should be, or you may be missing the boat. In this case, mentors, peers or consultants can provide templates for you to use.

If you are struggling with an employee or a board member and your gut says to move him or her along, then make a plan and do it!

The next time you're tempted to say "I'm not interested," I highly recommend you break that down and understand what is really holding you back.

Fundraising isn't painless — but the joy it brings makes our profession amazing.

The skills you will need aren't "rocket science" — they're the same skills that separate the good fundraisers from the great ones even now in boring old 2014.

Now is the time to step back and take a clear-eyed assessment of where you are, what you have to work with and how best to go forward.

The added money to invest in acquisition this year may not be enough to solve all your problems, but if you make it work hard and then show the results of that investment, the challenge to get more may be a bit easier next year, and the year after that.

Allow yourself the essential luxury of thinking longer term. Not day to day — but month by month, year-end and even two to three years out for you and your organization.