How many of you reading this blog have had the magical experience of several hours of immense creativity happening? Just such a phenomenon happened recently right in our Bloomerang headquarters.
Before we explore the event of magic, let me provide a bit of background. There are many ideas as to what constitutes an expert in any field. Among the factors commonly accepted are:
- Has made direct and undeniable impact in a certain field or industry
- Is quoted often by others in the industry
- Is the go to resource by the press for an industry
- Is well published
- Is in high demand for their services/expertise
- Their body of work created breakthroughs and establishes new standards
Tom Ahern, Bloomerang’s new Donor Communications Head Coach, certainly fulfills all of the above criteria and more. The more in this case might be my favorite because he is a genuinely nice person who literally loves the nonprofit sector.
He is the author of four well-received books on the topic, with two more in the pipeline. Each year, he delivers dozens of workshops internationally. Tom specializes in applying the discoveries of psychology and neuroscience to the day-to-day business of inspiring and retaining donors. As a “message strategist,” he’s won three prestigious international IABC Gold Quill awards, all for communications campaigns which achieved phenomenal success.
Tom graduated from Brown University with a BA and MA in English. He completed his Certificate of Advertising Art from the Rhode Island School of Design.
Within the comfortable confines of Bloomerang’s main conference room, Rob our CTO, Melissa our head of product management, Tom and I sat down with fresh cups of coffee to determine how to best implement the multitude of donor communication best practices into Bloomerang.
Tom must have been pondering how to apply his vast multitude of “donor communications best practices” for several days prior to our meeting because the ideas flowed out in rapid order. We could not write them down as fast as he was sharing them!
Brainstorming was fun, but the magic began when we started discussing the details of each suggestion. We all reveled in thinking outside the box. It soon became obvious, we were going to be breaking new ground in how a donor database could, and in the future should be used. The blended vision became one of a system so smart and helpful it was literally like having a communication expert peering over your shoulder while you were working.
The magic came as each suggestion was evaluated and in most cases turned into a method or function that allowed Bloomerang to deliver it!
We will not steal the thunder and excitement surrounding what you will soon see come to life. It is just a release or two away!
Until then, close your eyes and just imagine what having one of the best donor communication experts there with you on a daily basis could mean. You may not want to open them until the next release is done!
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