I’m about to take a picture of the back of a pick-up truck which reads, “CONSTRUCTION VEHICLE – ___ ___ ___.” What do you think are the three words?

Never mind the misspelling of “potholes” but I took a photo of this sign in a neighboring town because it occurred to me that given the time and expense it took to have the sign made and put up, the town’s workers could have filled the potholes. Problem solved.

Sometimes people will go to undue lengths to communicate with us that a problem exists, but they don’t do the work to make the problem go away.

What other examples of this have you seen?

I recently attended an event of NEADS/Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans, which celebrated the new teams of their highly trained assistance dogs and their Clients.

One woman, sitting in a wheelchair, spoke about her first assistance dog as she lovingly held the leash and the head of her new assistance dog. She said, “These dogs changed my life. In fact, my first dog saved my life…literally.”

I’m helping NEADS grow and plan for a future that’s even more exciting than what they’ve done over the past 33 years, and I’m donating some of my services.

As we move into this season of being thankful and cheerfully celebrating holidays, please share a little bit of your treasure with NEADS. You’ll be supporting an organization that rescues dogs…dogs that saves lives.

Please visit this page of mine and a special message I have for you.

A few thoughts and interesting items contained…I mean seen…in this week’s news that Walmart now sells caskets online.

The timing, just before All Hallows Eve, is priceless.

This gives a new meaning to their slogan, “Save money. Live better.” Apparently this applies to the after-life, too.

Caskets (and urns) are sold in Walmart’s “For the Home” department. For the home?

The first casket listed is the Regal Wide Body Steel Casket.

Is it any wonder that none of their caskets have customer reviews? Each model offers us the opportunity to “Be the first to review this product.” Maybe their next casket promotion will be surrounding the news that a customer submitted a review, timed with Easter.

The first rule when planning to motivate or persuade anyone: consider who you’re communicating with.

What did the authorities know (or assume) about the drivers of this road that such a sign was necessary?

What other signs are likely to be further down this road?

“CAUTION – WIDELY SCATTERED LIGHT WHEN SUNNY”

Reminds me of the Scarecrow with his arms pointing opposite directions in The Wizard of Oz

When we try to communicate more than one main message and too many details in any form of media, the more confusing and less motivating we become.

Define your one, primary message, and then carefully select what supporting messages are necessary, if any.

Meanwhile, be careful when driving in Hawaiian parking lots, and send me your photos of funny signs and messages like this one.

I just set up my first Twitter page and am exploring how to leverage this “broadcasting” app.

You can find me at https://twitter.com/RickCram.

Are you on Twitter? And if so, are you on to follow or be followed?

Some have the perception that the person in control of a meeting, such as a sales call, is the one doing all the talking. Truth is, the person who asks more questions and listens is in greater control.

“A real leader faces the music, even when he doesn’t like the tune.”

— Anonymous

If you’re interested in being more effective with your fundraising…and doing it more efficiently…you’ll find this webinar time well spent.

Hosted by OneWorld.net in Washington, D.C., four speakers presented to a local and an online audience on May 21, 2009.

My presentation, “Understanding Your Donors and Using this Knowledge Effectively,” was the second one.

Use the following links to bring up in different browser tabs or windows the podcast (audio only) and the slide show.

With the .mov version of the slide show, you’ll need to PAUSE and PLAY the movie to keep pace with my comments on each slide. First launch and play the podcast and advance it to when I am introduced (about one-quarter of the way into the podcast), then launch the movie of the slide show.

Click Here for Podcast

Click Here for Slide Show Movie

You’ll hear references to my document with a list of key questions to have answered before developing any appeal or marketing piece. Contact me for a free copy.

I look forward to your comments and questions.

Meanwhile, the three other presenters were excellent and the audio of their presentations are worth your time, as well.