We are always fascinated by the range of organizations represented by the people who write to us about using the Go-Giver principles in their work. We recently received this note from Trent Johnson, Director of Resource Development at the Salvation Army in South Carolina, who wrote of The Go-Giver, “This is the best book on donor development I have read.” Here is how he described the book’s impact on his work with the Salvation Army:
I would have always described myself as a go-giver, but after reading your book, I have become very disciplined about starting out each conversation with new relationships with the mission of determining what it is that I could do for this person. How can I add value to this person’s life?
I discovered that that was not as natural for me as I would have thought.
Your lessons are spot on. As I reflect on my most successful business/donor relationships, it is clear that they have evolved because I did not let organizational needs overpower the needs of the donor. When we operate with a donor-focused strategy, both the organization and donor benefit!
Thank you both for your philosophy on selling and living. I will definitely recommend the book to my friends in development.