It's Not What You Know...

... It's who You Know

This is a line I have heard constantly over the past couple of months. It seems to be appearing in every conversation I have, and every presentation/talk I listen to. Maybe it is time to take note of this and to really put it into practice.

Networking is an extremely vital and important part of charities and fundraising. The more people you reach out to, the more chance you have of succeeding.

In an online magazine I have been reading: Brass, they list 6 key points they recommend you take note of in order to be effective in collecting contacts.

 

- Conquer your fear.

- Know how to shmooze.

- Find common ground.

- Pitch your idea.

- Have a business card.

- Follow up.

 

One of the hardest things is making that initial leap to actually interact with somebody, especially if they are a stranger. I have found it useful to ask other people around me if they know anything about my 'target' person. By doing this, I can gather information on them and it makes them think I have a keen interest when I am knowledgeable. It also gives me the opportunity to find something in common. As Brass have said, if you find common ground with somebody, they are much more likely to remember you and ask you questions about yourself, which you can then guide the conversation into your field of interest/work and hand a business card out.You have to try and show your contact that you are able to benefit them as well as them being an asset to you.

In my opinion, even if a person doesn't seem to be appropriate in what/who I am looking for, saving them as a contact could prove useful in the future as they may remember you and pass your details on to somebody else.

The chance to network could appear anywhere, you don't have to be actively looking for contacts, but talking to people about what you are doing really helps. I have been standing in a bus stop and started chatting to a man who knew somebody on the Photography course at Staffordshire University, so I looked in to it; and here I am. The amount of people I have met and my network of contacts is incredible and without talking to this man, none of this may have been possible or even crossed my mind.

A effective and highly sought after network of contacts isn't going to appear overnight, so I have to start now and build up gradually as the years go on. 

Just to compare 2 completely different sectors, I have been reading London's HR Connection website. They have a whole section on the importance of Networking and how it is beneficial. The key points that they list are the same as what Brass have noted as important. This proves that no matter what sector you are in, or what your reason is for networking; the same approach applies for everybody and it is a crucial part of every successful person.

1. Research – depending upon your overall objectives, you should do your homework to ensure that you’re in the right room with the right people. Ask for the guest list beforehand and do some internet research to familiarise yourself with the people and companies they represent. If the content and guest list looks interesting, why not invite a colleague or client along too?
   
2. Rehearse – prepare some conversation lines if you’re worried about ‘sticky silences’. Try offering two topic choices, e.g. ‘do you know many people here or are you a newcomer like me?’ If they know lots of people, they can introduce you or if they’re new too, you could offer another open question or information about yourself, e.g. ‘I came here because I live around the corner and thought I might meet some fellow HR managers’.
   
3. On arrival – take a quiet moment to review the attendee list, observe the room and notice the different groupings of people. If there’s someone in particular that you’d like to meet (but don’t know), ask the host if they are able to introduce you. If you feel uncomfortable, break yourself in gently by chatting to a few people around the refreshment table.
   
4. Body language – think about your posture, levels of eye contact, facial expressions and your handshake. These all influence peoples’ perception of you and give off signals as to how confident and engaged you are. The key to good networking is establishing rapport, do that by listening and showing the other person that you’re listening.
   
5. Follow-up – as soon as you leave, begin thinking about how you’ll follow-up new contacts. Take a few notes on who you met, their interests and how you might add value to them – did you promise to send them an article or introduce them to one of your contacts? Ensure you follow up within three days of the event.

(Heather White: Smarter Networking Ltd)

Suggested reading for becoming more confident at Networking is Heather White's book: Networking for Business Success - Quick Tips for Busy People

And employee of the month goes too....

Jackpot...

Every now and again, somebody hands you a gem and they become your new best friend.

I have just been introduced to Google Alerts, which will send you emails when new material is added to the web in your area of interest. I added Childreach International to my alerts list and, already I have been sent a number of emails informing me that content has been updated or added, and the appropriate links to view it.

By having a selection of alerts active, I am able to monitor and keep up-to-date on the latest information being released. Another brilliant advantage of this Google application is it will give me access to areas I never thought of looking in to and give me the opportunity to collect some great qualitative research. Google Alerts monitor Blogs, Articles and Web pages.

As WRAP – the Waste and Resources Action Programme say: "The possibilities are endless!"

• Find out what is being said about your company or product.
• Monitor a developing News story.
• Keep up to date on a Competitor or Industry.
• Find out what's being said about yourself!!

A 1000 Alerts can be created and stored, but only 10 can be active at one time.

I strongly recommend it to everybody because I think it will be a great asset, and a piece of software that is used frequently. We will start to wonder how we ever worked without it! I have already found this application beneficial and I am certain this will continue to be the case.

A Definite Interest

I have spent the majority of my night reading through Childreach International's progress report for 2010/2011. I have come across such a wide range of information that will really benefit my research in to how charities function. One document can easily lead you astray by handing a numerous string of ideas over and coaxing you to follow all directions because each one is interesting and has possibilities. My head hurts already! Each charity I look at in-depth will form the basis of a case study, and then I can compare and contrast different organisations, pull out ideas from each and merge them together to form my own visions.

All of these findings aside, it is just one sentence that caught my eye and has really made my brain come alive with possibilities and a passion/urge to make something happen...

Progress Report 2010-2011

What if I could help areas that charity hasn't managed to reach yet? Be the first to offer them hope and potential for their futures? Give everybody an equal chance, and not allow them to feel neglected?

When I cycle across India in June/July, I will be visiting areas the charity is set up in. I will be seeing how my money in contributing to already installed systems.

Is there a job within a charitable organisation that would allow me to seek the not already touched areas and set up a network for these individuals too? Reaching out to a wider focus area. More success stories can be generated from new links. Everybody deserves hope and aid shouldn't be restricted, as there will always be a community desperately seeking help, who are still to be discovered.

It could be any form of aid, such as building shelters, education, food, a simple support network, safety, healthcare, or just friendly faces. There will be communities that rely on you more than others. Just to have to comfort of knowing you are there to support them if they ever need it, is often all that they want.

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around" 

- Leo Buscaglia

Food for thought, discussion, research...

Children's Lives

The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery will be hosting an exhibition starting on the 24th March, looking in to the lives of children from the 18th Century to the present day. The exhibition is called 'Children's Lives'.

I came across this event completely by chance when browsing through a Birmingham Hippodrome Programme. It instantly caught my eye as it is a perfect opportunity for me to gather some primary research within the fields of photography, children, exhibitions. All 3 of these topics are major sections in my Masters Degree. Valuable find!

It is part of a local project taking place in Birmingham, drawing together artefacts, oral histories, film, archives etc, relating to the children's lives in the past. The exhibition is only one section of activity taking place.

Upon further reading, I am able to see that the project is funded by the Heritage Lottery fund. Not only do I want to visit this exhibition for the content it is producing, I would like to pick it apart and analyse it as an exhibition on a whole.

I knew from the beginning that the event I hold will have to include more than one focus. A constant stream of activity needs to be occurring. Within this event, from what I can gather at the moment (their website is undergoing maintenance), blogs are frequently being updated on the latest project news and announcements, links to resources are being produced, education projects are being planned, the exhibition will be open, and I presume there will be a lot more to follow once the website is active again.

"The Children's Lives project website is presently UNDER CONSTRUCTION and will go live soon..."

As it is the case with every event, there is a project team, who oversee all the planning and organisation. Even though events are a collective activity, a backbone is needed to keep the structure in place and running smoothly.

http://www.bmag.org.uk/events?id=1734

This find has got me really thinking about what I am planning to do and how I will be successfully achieving my goal. I need to create a selection of activities to take place over the course of my event and not just have one focus. I need to keep my audience engaged and constantly interested in what I am trying to show them.

The exhibition for this 'Children's Lives' project seems to be the central attraction, just as I hope my photographic exhibition to be. A fee is being charged to enter this particular event, which I assume gets put back in to the project to aid the continuation and development. When I contact the project organisers, this is a question I will raise with them. When I charge a small fee to enter my event, all funds raised will go to my chosen charity, Childreach International.

'Children's Lives'

 

24th March - 10th June 2012

Gas Hall, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery,

Chamberlian Square,

Birmingham

B33DH

Reflection After Feedback

Working backwards is one of the many great ideas that has been discussed in relation to my project. I have been getting bogged down with so many ideas, that if I start at the end and clearly define what I want my outcome to be, I will be able to get a clearer picture on what it is I need to do to achieve my goal. By working this way, I can set a path of specific topics which I need to be looked in to. Hopefully then, I can begin to discard other possible avenues for now, and concentrate on the paths that will push me successfully towards my final outcome.

It has already been decided, and previously mentioned that this module will be research based, preparing me for my main MA project, which will lead directly on from my findings this semester. There is a lot of hard work coming up in the next few months, but I am excited about what I can potentially discover and there's my determination to succeed alongside my passion for the subject.

3 research routes have been identified, which I will be focusing on and then linking together in to one presentable research file. These are: Photography, Charitable Organisations and Events Management. Each one is a vital topic in the journey to successfully achieve my final outcome of a charitable event incorporating photography at its heart.

The question I have to ask myself now is where do I begin within these topics to accomplish the task of in-depth, relevant, but interesting research.

Events Management & Fundraising -

• Mark Webster

A key contact for me. He is very experienced within the field of community arts and fundraising. A major advantage of knowing Mark is that he's accessible due to working for the university. Keeping on the good side of him will be very important as he could prove to be very beneficial to me. I have a meeting with him to discuss helping out at the Degree Show and Fringe Festival, which are events linked to Staffordshire University. Volunteering for these will be a great achievement because I can collect a wider database of contacts as well as gain valuable first-hand experience with organising events linked to the Art Sector. It isn't often that opportunities like this are available, so I feel lucky to be given the chance. As I have always said and stuck by; There is no harm in asking. The worst case scenario is that the answer is no. You should never assume because if you never ask, you never get. Mark is just one road within events management and fundraising.

A series of case studies is the most effective way to start my research, I believe. This approach will enable me to pick apart a selection of events within charity to see their Success, Target Audiences, Pros, Cons, Ideas, Duration, Public Reactions and so on. By doing this, I can begin to generate my own ideas, thoughts and concepts from the information I gather. If I build up a strong board of ideas from each case study, I can incorporate everything I have learnt and develop it in to one amazing event to get me recognised and really stand out in the crowd. As well as promote my chosen charity in the process and fundraise for them. Ideally, my case studies will be based around photography/moving images within charities.

In my opinion, one of the most essential things I have to remember is to make any event I organise, interactive, interesting and fun. People need to forget they are at an event with the purpose of fundraising. They need personal enjoyment, even so far as to say self-fulfilment. That is one of the reasons I am cycling across India. As much as I am taking on this challenge to raise money, I am completing this life-changing expedition for myself. To gain once in a lifetime experiences, find myself, grow, develop, and see the world in a different light are the main factors. The fundraising is purely a by-product of a much bigger picture and fills the gaps to make everything complete.

Photography - 

This is the path I am most worried about because there are so many avenues I could potentially get lost down. I need to stay focused and keep my goal in mind to stop me steering off course.

Finding charities that use photography/film to engage the public, needs to be my first point of research. How are images used (still and/or moving), to get attention? And why is this method the most effective way to get a message across?

A keen interest I have is finding out whether the charities I look in to are using the 'guilt-trip', tugging on heart-strings, 'look at the suffering' approach, or are they promoting the success of the public's generosity by showing positive and promising scenes? Which of these methods is more successful? My primary charity, Childreach International, only show positive images. I intend to write to the charity and ask them what their views are and the reason why they choose the imagery they do.

© Childreach International

A questionnaire will be created to gather opinions on people's views related to these issues. I will possibly show a focus group a selection of images portraying both positive and negative situations, and then ask which collection has more of an impact on them and why, as well as what feelings are provoked from viewing the photographs. Choosing questions will have to be considered carefully because I don't want to influence any of the answers. The same applies for the images I select.

At this stage, my research will then lead me in to semiotics and how images are taken in a particular way to influence how a view sees and/or thinks. I have a book already on this topic, which has been a great aid to me through my degree and will continue to do so within my MA.

Finally... For now... Who are charities targeting? Who will I be targeting? These are yet more questions I need to answer because it will influence the type of event I organise, my marketing, my promotion, and they selection of photographs exhibited. For example, the maternal side to women kicks in when they see sick/poor/ill-treated children, so images of them suffering will be directed towards the female audience more so than others?

I have definitely got my work cut out, but I am excited for the challenge. It is a truly inspirational project and the prospect of what is to come beyond the next couple of months is intriguing.

Through the my research, my outlook on life and my opinions may change. My personal outcomes are going to be just as important as my MA outcome.

Welcome to the journey...

My Idea...

When I'm are given a blank canvas and there are no instructions to follow, I suddenly become swallowed by this vast space of words and idea flying around. I have no idea which direction to take and where I'll ultimately end up. This makes me edgy and I try to take on a lot more than I am capable of. 

This is exactly how my idea for the module started. I knew that it was events management I wanted to pursue, incorporating Art as my background and interest lies within Photography. But helping others within this had to be a part of the process too. I always want to be doing something good and making others happy. Therefore, it seemed appropriate to go in to events management for charitable organisations. Even though I had narrowed it down this far, the vast space of ideas kept growing because there are many paths I could follow within this sector.

My first idea was linked to children with learning difficulties and how art could help them improve and form better future prospects. This would have involved me looking in to what types of learning difficulties there are, what type of art I would focus on and whether children would benefit more from viewing or from making. The research possibilities were endless and I realised that it would be so much to try and take on in a short module.

Initial Idea MindNode™

My second idea has turned out to be my final idea and the one I will be proceeding with throughout the whole of my MA course. This smaller module will be the research basis for my main project. I need to consider a lot of avenues and then stick to just a few to stop myself getting tangled and confused in a multitude of possible tangents. The idea for this project came from events currently taking place in my personal life. Childreach International is a charity I am raising money for at the moment. A percentage of the money I raise will allow me to travel to India where my money is helping children gain better prospects in life. During my time there, I will be cycling over 500 miles as a personal challenge, as well as visiting a selection of areas in which children are provided with the support they need as a result of the donations received including the remaining percentage of the money I raise. I couldn't think of a better project to base my module idea around. It is an area that I have a great interest and passion in so it will be extremely interesting and beneficial to me to research in depth.

Keeping with what I mentioned earlier in regards to wanting to combine events management with being charitable and the Art World, I propose to create an event that combines the images I will capture in India, with raising money for the charity.

This module is to become my pilot study and research base because I go to India after the module has concluded. Perfect timing in preparation for my main project to start. I'll have my collection of images captured and ready to be analysed.

Initial Idea 2 MindNode™

It went from this, to this....

All Avenues So Far... MindNode™

...Which just confirms what I have previously said about so many ideas flying around and not being certain on which road to take. The more I think about it, the more confused and frustrated I get at not knowing where to start, or what I ultimately want to achieve with this project. My biggest worry is getting lost in a world of irrelevant research that isn't going to help me achieve my goal.

One question that has come out of generating all these ideas is, how does the charity engage with the public to understand the nature of the charity and to then donate their hard earned cash, especially in a recession. This is something I have to research in to because if I am putting on an event to fundraise, I need to ensure that money will actually be donated and the event becomes a success. Also, how big a part does imagery play in public engagement.

Another major question I have to keep in mind and constantly up-to-date is how charitable organisations keep their profiles high. The bigger the charity and the more they are seen to be doing, the more money that gets donated to them. This is key if I want to become successful and then stay on top. It mostly always comes down to the events the charity holds and the recognisable faces they use to help promote.

I need to look at who my target audience would be, because at the moment I'm not sure who to direct my idea at or who to pay more attention to. This is an avenue I need to research. Do I target people with money? Etc.

What do you really think?

After the talk Jackie gave on Personal Branding, I became interested in knowing what people thought, and what it was about me that really stood out.

I selected people who I believe know me well and asked them to list 5 things that best describe me (in their own opinion), and a short reason on why they thought so. When asking, I made it clear that it was an honest answer I wanted, and not one they thought I might want to hear. The truth is key in helping me find out what I am really like. From the results, I can pick out my attributes and use them to my advantage. Or if indeed, some of my negative points are brought to light, I can analyse if they are holding me back or needed for me to succeed.

The question I am asking is, How am I seen? After this has been answered, I then need to look deeper and ask myself, What do I want people to see? And am I going to be able to succeed in my chosen career path with the way I am portraying myself currently? Changing will not solve anything and will not further me because I will no longer be myself, the answer to this is being selective on what I openly show and what I keep back.


The words that have appeared most frequently are: Caring, Loving, Trusting/Honest/Loyal. In my opinion, people have been extremely kind in their words and I don't deserve such high praise! Every word that has been used to describe me, expect a few, are the traits and attributes you would expect to find in someone who worked in a role helping other people. Somebody with a lot of compassion and time to make sure others are happy before themselves. I do often think of others before myself, but this may not always be a positive as it could cloud my judgement and stop me from seeing the bigger picture. I need to take a step back sometimes and realise that I can't make everybody happy.


Even from those who I don't know well, I received words back such as friendly, helpful, positive, ambitious.


This small task has been a success because it has really made me think about what type of person I am and what vibe I give off to others. It is something I have always been concious of as I would hate for people to feel any negative attitude towards them or misinterpret me.


First impressions are what the majority of people judge by, and although they say not to read a book by its cover, it's often this judgement that either pushes you on in life or leaves you behind.


If I feel I have done good towards somebody, it makes me much happier within myself and I continue to stay positive and have a great outlook on life. There is a 'working paper' which I came across during my research which looks in to the suggestion that 'helping others leads to higher levels of happiness' (Anik, L et al: 2009). I will analysing the content within this paper later on in my research when I start to look at topics within target audiences, and the impact images have on getting the public to become charitable.






I'll conclude by giving a preview of some of the words and reasons people came up with when faced with the question of describing me:

• Colourful - I'm always excited to see what you'll be wearing, you're one of those irritating people that looks good in any colour!!
• Accepting - You will learn about someone before making an opinion and are acceptable of so many different people and their flaws! After struggling to tell you certain things (I'm sure you know what I mean) I was worried I would lose your friendship. I had no need to think this! You are amazing.
• Trustworthy - When Emily says that she is going to do something or be somewhere she never goes against her word. She has been one of the most trusting people I've ever known and her trust also works with her instinct on a project and on a general situation.
• Fussy/Perfectionist - Likes things done her own way and has to be done at a high standard.