Give people a project; leave them alone; get surprise results!
I’m working with a group of youth interns this summer. They range in age from 16 – 20 years old. Their project: to help me build and grow One Less Meal. Inc. operator of the Double D Diner; The World’s Only Virtual Diner Fighting Hunger.
I gave them a task last Wednesday; to write a letter to the donor base asking them to donate again, soon. I gave them a few instructions and walked out the door for two days.
This was their letter; with very few changes/tweaks by me:
Hello Double D Diner Hunger Hero!
We are writing in recognition of your previous donation to the Double D Diner; The World’s Only Virtual Diner Fighting Hunger! We are a group of youth interns from Waterbury Youth Service System Inc. helping to better the homeless and less fortunate; working with Clyde Sdale and the Hunger Hero and their contributions to many communities. We would like to personally thank you for donating to the Double D Diner. By you giving up or donating one meal for someone else you have helped many people.
Please consider donating again; summertime is when hunger relief agencies need help the most. We would like to help as many soup kitchens, shelters, and food banks as possible. On these hot summer days maybe you should try one of our delicious ice creams; such as Here’s The Scoop of Chocolate Ice Cream. You can also try our amazing Vera’s Milkshake, it’s absolutely refreshing. Your donations are needed and greatly appreciated, especially nowadays where the economy is not what it used to be. Did you know that the total cost of hunger to the American society is said to be about $90 billion a year? We would appreciate your donations, they will make a difference. We hope that you encourage others to come by the Double D Diner, have a slice of All American Apple Pie and help fight hunger too.
Once again, thank you for contributing to the Double D Diner and helping in the fight against hunger. We can assure you that your donations are and will continue making a difference. Please spread the word about the World’s Only Virtual Diner Fighting Hunger. Have them pass by the diner at http://www.onelessmeal.org/. Remember, they choose what they’re NOT going to eat.
Don’t Eat It. Donate It
The 2011 Waterbury Youth Services Tech Media Group, Waterbury CT
on behalf of the Double D Diner, Operated by One Less Meal, Inc.
http://onelessmeal.org or http://DoubleDDiner.org
Employees are often empowered to get things done; yet bosses stand over them. We give people tasks and have this need to correct them. Often times it’s especially hard for new bosses to let go; you want to do what is right; to look good in the eyes of your boss. I say……….Give people a project and leave them alone. I think they’ll surprise you.
But even more importantly you’ll be able to do more of what you want to do: lead and come up with new ideas for the business.
Follow-up Note:
The first 2 donations appeared within 25 minutes of the email being sent.
