Assignment:
1- research - what do I know? ...what do we need to know? ...who is solving this - is there a college or university out there doing it?
2- brainstorm - share what you know, (S+W we have) and where are the opportunities and threats ...
3- best opportunities - bring the best ideas forward ... work them up, develop ideas/strategies - work them through to a few tactics (short-term, long-term - but everything should be forecasting to a long-term success)
4- small, deliverable ... come up with a ‘step forward' ... something they could be doing now to make a difference
5- write it up
Possible projects:
Improve communication with stakeholders for connecting with past alumni and attraction of new potential donors
Improve relationships with .... ?? surrounding municipalities, government, industry - which could result in stronger partnerships leading to gifts
How do we make an acting impact on students today - tomorrow, so we position ourselves for the gift in the future?
How do we connect with staff and faculty, present and retired to ensure future gifts -
Writing it up! STAY STRATEGIC
12pt font - Calibri - spacing 1.5
Page one - cover, with the client logo and the strategy (your business problem you will be working on) and your names/participants
Page two - current situation analysis - what is happening, right now. You may want to include areas of the SWOT, the strengths and weaknesses. State the area you will ‘tackle', in hopes of improving growth and/or remove barriers to growth (one to two pages). REMINDER - when doing the SW and the research - focus on the business question you're trying to solve.
Page three - research - what you found out, site sources (one to two pages) you should provide the research, and narrate how this may/could/would/should impact the Foundation/Alumni Association.
Page four - opportunities and threats - forming the strategy - within your ‘strategy area', show the areas you feel there is or are growth opportunities or development --- working towards long-term growth and sustainability (one page).
Page five - THE IDEA - this is where you show the strategy you will tackle - the business problem you will try to address. You will work up an idea ... with an outcome you can show (such as: ...
Addendums - attach pieces to your presentation, to help showcase your ideas (if necessary).