Meet Majestic, one of the dog greeters at the NH SPCA Auction for the Animals. He’s “worked” this event every year I have … perhaps more!
This past Saturday night while I was working with the very lovely guests supporting the New Hampshire SPCA, a hacker broke into my website.
Some of you alerted me via email and Facebook. I never saw the posts because I was working. Until one of my team members called me on Sunday morning, I was blissfully unaware.
When I went to the site, I certainly wasn’t happy. But I also didn’t melt into a pile of tears.
I recalled a story about a magician who was headed to Las Vegas for a national convention. He was scheduled to perform several tricks. When his luggage was lost by the airline, he stayed up all night in his hotel room, working to create a new trick from a deck of cards. His new trick turned out to be a fabulous one for which he received many accolades.
What my website looked like for three days. It remarkably resembles my morning face, pre-coffee.
So what did I do when my website and online blog – which I’ve spent thousands of hours building – disappeared?
First I thought, “How did this happen?” I thought perhaps it had to do with my traveling. I travel so often, I can see as where someone techy could steal passwords from me wirelessly. It would be nice if hackers applied their talents elsewhere, but my life perspective is such that I’m not one to judge someone for their choice of hobbies, either. I’d rather this happen than – say – be the surprise victim of a knock out game.
Next, I started to think.
On the plane ride home (when I was unsure if I’d be able to get the site back), I imagined re-creating my online business using a new model that didn’t have a blog. On the downside, there would be no more free content as I lacked the time to recreate it. On the plus side, it would streamline my business. I shared the concept with a couple of people.
“Lemonade from lemons” said my friend when I told her, “That sounds like you.”
As of last night, the site was restored. I was prepared to “go with the new flow,” though! There’s only so much bi*ching I’ll do.
Personally, I’m not a fan of complainers. I don’t mind someone voicing brief displeasure, but 15 minutes at a Pity Party is enough. Move on! Complaining gets you nowhere.
When I meet with an auction committee, I most often hear frustrations and complaints around procurement. Someone will say how hard it is to get items … how they can’t get volunteers to ask … they can’t get nice items … or how they don’t sell their donations for what other groups do.
When I’m working one-on-one with a client, I offer help. But outside of an onsite client relationship, I’ve previously not had a way to communicate all the knowledge accumulated from working with hundreds of nonprofits.
This was why I created my upcoming intensive course, Big Ticket Procurement Secrets. If you have some complainers on your committee wailing about procurement – this is your chance to present a solution that solves their problems. They should enroll in Big Ticket Procurement Secrets.
But let me warn you … some people just like to complain. They’ll say they don’t have the time for the classes. Or they lack funds. Or they have a spring auction and this course is at the wrong time for them. I don’t buy it. Most people enjoy complaining for a plethora of reasons. Yet when the desire or pain looms large enough, these same people figure out how to make obstacles disappear!
To that end, if you know someone complaining who is as I just described, don’t bother telling them about BTPS. I don’t want Debbie Downers in the course!
On the other hand, this intensive course is perfect for these people:
- Seek a strong dose of creativity for auction items
- Don’t want to waste time. They have the mentality of, “Tell me what to do and I’ll do it.”
- Like ready-made processes they can follow for results.
- Get excited thinking about the possibilities for your event
- Strong desire to help your charity
- Lifelong learners; eternal students
- ave a long-range view. Want to set up your auction for future success not just this year, but down the road
- Belong on a team with many new people who need proper guidance
This intensive course examines all elements of getting great items for your auction: what, how, and the techniques that enable you to sell something for more.
If you happened to catch my free 90-minute training on procurement that introduced you to the course, you got a baby taste of what is in store. (The recording of that training is in the Digital Lounge, which is where I’ll store all of the course materials, transcripts, recordings, etc.)
Plus, there are multiple bonuses … a procurement database of 500+ companies, a webinar on art projects, and an interview with a secret guest who has the full scoop when it comes to getting hot items for goody bags. (I can’t wait to pick her brain on getting goody bag bling!)
The course starts next Thursday. Enroll and get details here.
See you soon!
P.S. Turns out the hacker entered via an outdated version of software.
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