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Our researchers here at the Easier Said Than Done Pavilion and Golf Course have turned their considerable skills to predicting your future. To discover what’s ahead for your nonprofit organization in 2008, simply match the year of your founding with its Chinese zodiac symbol. (See the paper place mats at your local Chinese restaurant if you don’t know which years go with which creatures.)
Year of theRAT
Your organization will become infested with vice presidents. Most of them will be harmless, genial types who make excellent lunch companions. One of them, however, will have an addiction to massive, organization-wide initiatives that are meant to “change everything.” This will go on until you reach a Zen-like state of disequilibrium that will make you a legend in the industry and the subject of many business-school whitepapers.
Year of theOX
Your marketing department will retain the services of an ad agency to create a “cutting edge” marketing campaign. In doing so, it will redefine your mission in direct conflict with what your donors have been supporting for years. This will not be seen as a problem. Fortunately, the inept execution of the campaign will minimize any damage to your brand or reputation.
Year of theGOAT
Year of theDRAGON
Your board of directors will accomplish nothing this year.
Year of theRABBIT
Your organization will decide to issue an RFP for your general marketing needs. Unfortunately, so many people will be involved it will end up an impenetrable maze of vague philosophical rambling, wishful thinking and outright lies. The only vendor that will respond will be an ice-cream manufacturer. To save face, you will retain the ice-cream company as your marketing agency. See next year’s predictions for the outcome!
Year of theMONKEY
Someone will say your direct-mail program mails too much. There will be wide agreement and, like a snowball dropped at the top of an alpine slope, the opinion will gather momentum and following until you have no choice but to cut back on mailings. This will be followed by a quick and corresponding drop in revenue, the cause of which will be an utter mystery to nearly everyone.
Year of the
Your organization will become infested with vice presidents. Most of them will be harmless, genial types who make excellent lunch companions. One of them, however, will have an addiction to massive, organization-wide initiatives that are meant to “change everything.” This will go on until you reach a Zen-like state of disequilibrium that will make you a legend in the industry and the subject of many business-school whitepapers.
Year of the
Your marketing department will retain the services of an ad agency to create a “cutting edge” marketing campaign. In doing so, it will redefine your mission in direct conflict with what your donors have been supporting for years. This will not be seen as a problem. Fortunately, the inept execution of the campaign will minimize any damage to your brand or reputation.
Year of the
Year of the
Your board of directors will accomplish nothing this year.
Year of the
Your organization will decide to issue an RFP for your general marketing needs. Unfortunately, so many people will be involved it will end up an impenetrable maze of vague philosophical rambling, wishful thinking and outright lies. The only vendor that will respond will be an ice-cream manufacturer. To save face, you will retain the ice-cream company as your marketing agency. See next year’s predictions for the outcome!
Year of the
Someone will say your direct-mail program mails too much. There will be wide agreement and, like a snowball dropped at the top of an alpine slope, the opinion will gather momentum and following until you have no choice but to cut back on mailings. This will be followed by a quick and corresponding drop in revenue, the cause of which will be an utter mystery to nearly everyone.
Companies Mentioned:
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Hitting the Email Inbox
Email Marketing that Works (2nd Edition)
