Its the small things that count

A couple of years ago my wife and I did the amazing trip from Melbourne to Cairns and then back to Melbourne through  outback Queensland and New South Wales.  It was a wonderful experience and we did a lot of things on the way and the way back and we (my wife and I) made some fantastic memories.  There was snorkeling and a visit to the 'Cathedral Tree', driving through Sydney traffic at peak hour, and so much more it was just wonderful.

However when we returned one of the things that stood out in our mind was the toilets that we found in outback Australia.  It might sound strange but they are an absolutely vital requirement that no one can do with out.  What we found was that people would have a bit of a chuckle when we told them; but they were all clean well stocked with the necessities and obviously well looked after.

Imagine my surprise when I read the great Tom Peter's Blog when he was talking about the same thing.  readhttp://www.tompeters.com/pdfs/TLBT_section1.pdf and you will see what I mean.

I am tempted to see this, not necessarily as toilet humour but more about getting the simple and basic things right in the first place.

Fundraising is now a major profession and a great deal of effort is expended in attracting the Donor Dollar, however are we taking care of the basics?

I received a letter today from an organisation that I support and there at the top of the letter 'Peter' was crossed out and 'Fletch' was written, because the person knew that is what I prefer; it was personally signed and there were about 30 words, personally for me, at the end of the letter.

Was I impressed?

Will I continue to support this organisation?

Its a 'no brainer', of course I will.

How clean are your organisations toilets, are your letters personalized; are they prompt; do they make you want to give again?

So much of what we do is not rocket science, so we need to master the art of the bleeding obvious, as one of my UK friends so quaintly put it.