Random Rant: Don't Be So Demanding

I entered the world of management over 2 decades ago. Since then, I've always embraced the simple tidbit of knowledge that "it's all in how you present something." If I had to correct a poor work habit with one of my employees or, years later, had to give constructive criticism to a young, budding writer, that's the first thing that would surface in my brain. How was I going to present it in a way that would result in improved productivity or writing skills?

This practice plays a huge role in my day to day life in virtually every aspect. From Bodacious Biscuit Love to conversations with Lisa about new ideas and strategies and everything between. I'm almost certain this is why I've had such a problem with recent posts from various animal rescue groups and organizations along with a few people helping people groups.

"Last year we only raised this amount of money. That doesn't nearly cover the cost of (insert services)."

"We've got over 2,000 people who like our Facebook page. If everyone donated $1, we'd have $2,000 to cover the costs of (insert services or products)."

"If you can fork out $5 for your morning latte, you can afford to donate a few bucks to help with (insert service or product)."

"The only way we can help more dogs in need is if you can continue to donate and get your friends and family to help out too."

"Our success depends on you. When we don't get in enough donations, we can't do what we do."

When I read updates and posts with any of the above, I just sit and shake my head. I'll even go a step further and say that if I were actively donating my time or money to any of these groups and organizations, I would probably take a few steps back and discontinue both.

It doesn't matter what type of mission you're striving for whether it's to help homeless people or rescue dogs. Presenting things in the above manner and tone isn't going to get you anywhere. People don't respond well when you're acting like a spoiled brat or slathering on the guilt.

People work hard for their money. In this economy, people are struggling to pay their own bills and keep food on the table.

On the flip side, there's hundreds of other groups and organizations out there who need monetary donations and other donations like food, supplies, and clothing.

You're not the only one.

If you want people to consider, and continue, donating to your group or organization, maybe it's time to reconsider how you're presenting things.

For example, Lisa and I have operated Bodacious Biscuit Love for over 3 years. We still run out of pocket. That's just how it is.

Granted, we're a flea on an elephant's ass in comparison to what large rescue groups are accomplishing each and every day, but in the world of striving for the greater good, it's not a competition.

Earlier this week we shipped out a couple of biscuit love care packages. We posted this photo on our Bodacious Biscuit Love Facebook page.

The photo was accompanied with a short paragraph...

Later this afternoon, we're shipping out a couple of bodacious care packages. One of 'em includes a gift card to purchase some dog food. To everyone who purchased and spread the word about our Bodacious Holiday Ornaments, grabbed any of the items for the Bodacious 12 Days Of Christmas, donated toys, treats, and other supplies, and the gift card to purchase ingredients, THIS is what the funds are used for. We're also in the process of stocking our Bodacious Biscuit Love Bin and we've got more biscuit love care packages on our list to send next week. Big. Huge. Smile.

This year, we only participated in one event. We also pulled 2 out of our 3 displays because of distance. Over the summer, we shared the recipe for our Bodacious Biscuit Love Peanut Butter Dog Treats. And, we didn't host our Summer and Fall Bodacious Yard & Bake Sales. The result was a decline in funds. To be expected.

Instead of focusing on what we didn't pull in, we choose to focus on the continued efforts of our Bodacious Community and beyond. Over the holiday season, we received quite a few donations of food, treats, toys, and pet supplies. This helped to fill our biscuit love care packages this week and will continue to in the weeks ahead.

In addition, we were also able to restock our Bodacious Biscuit Love Bin for the 3rd time since the Fall. The money we made from the sale of the Bodacious Country Holiday ornaments, and the items sold during the Bodacious 12 Days Of Christmas, will continue to fund this for a few months and provide us with the means to purchase food for pet parents who have fallen on hard times.

Another avenue of presenting something in a positive light is to post photos of the end result. Back in December Lisa and I launched a fundraiser to collect items for a family who had fallen on hard times a few weeks before Christmas. The evening before we delivered, Lisa set everything up and I snapped a photo. I shared the photo on my Facebook wall so people who shared our original post asking for help and to those who contributed could see what their efforts resulted in.

We do the exact same thing when we launch a fundraiser to collect items for a local animal shelter. This is how we keep everyone in the loop. It's our way of saying, "Awesome job! Look what we've all done together as a team!"

Those team efforts include extending gratitude to everyone equally. The person who has faithfully shared your posts is just as important as the person who donated $100.

What has also worked very well for us is giving something back. Whenever we launch a fundraiser, we've always offered something in return like a small bag of homemade cookies as a token of gratitude.

Or, we offer an item for a specific amount. In the past, we've done Bodacious Grab Bags and Bodacious Biscuit Love Bundles. Every penny earned goes towards whatever we're raising money for.

At the end of the day, regardless of what your mission is and the amount of funds you need to provide services and items to humans and animals in need, it all boils down to presentation.

Be grateful to the community you have and the efforts they put forth. Show them some love. Give something back. Post lots of photos to keep everyone in the loop and treat everyone within your community equally.

Don't be so demanding.

That doesn't go over well with a lot of people.