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Welcome to the Dark Side...

By Becky Hardekopf, Customer Relations Manager - ZoomGrants

Welcome to the dark side. These were the sarcastic words I heard over and over when I started my new position as a Customer Relations Manager last fall. Ironically, from those in the same field as me. I was beginning to think that the makers of Star Wars had begun paying random people to do shameless plugs for their upcoming new movie! But this was not the case. No, you see, I recently started this new career, this venture, that used to be so foreign to me. A world that was, well, not necessarily dark, but on the "other side" from where I used to stand. I'll get to that in a minute. First, let me give you a little background on myself.

I have invested the last 15 years of my career into the nonprofit field in one way or another. I have been a grant writer, grant administrator, grant manager, fundraiser, C-Suite nonprofit manager, established and managed my own professionals' network, volunteer and numerous other roles that I'm sure I'm forgetting. It's been my life; my passion, working for and with these nonprofits. So, when offered a job for a tech company as a Customer Relations Manager, which to some is known as sales, many would ask...why?!

Well, why not? This may be something I'd like to do as well. Something I'd be really good at. I mean, we're all in sales in some aspect of our careers, right?! Whether we're trying to "sell" a marketing idea to our boss (been there), why we should fund a new nonprofit (done that), why we need to share stories of our impact (yup, that was me too) or why we need to budget for that new office coffee maker to supply us with our life lines in the morning (no brainer). So, ya...I can do this! I can allow for that idea to sink in; of seeing myself as others may now see me, as a *gasp* SALESPERSON!

So, back to the "other side." As a nonprofit funder, we tend to go to conferences hosted by leading organizations seeking answers. Answers on how to improve our grant making, streamline our work, network with peers, etc., etc. I used to love these conferences! I got a lot out of them. But, the networking was the most valuable take-away by far. But then...then came the exhibition hall. The other side of the conference. The hall where vendors put up their booths with hopes to sell you their software with the promise to streamline your work; to increase your efficiency and make your process easier for your grantees!!! Yah, okay, sure. But there was also the promise that you would feel awkward walking into that hall, with all eyes on you. And during that time, you're trying not to make eye contact with the "other side" for fear that conversations on these promises would ensue. And gosh, all you wanted was that free water bottle!

But you know what I've learned since crossing over to the "dark side?" There is so much light over here! I can't even begin to tell you how much additional insight I've learned from the funders I've met about streamlining, strategic planning and thoughtful questions to ask your grantees since joining my new team at ZoomGrants. Because, I'm not just working for one organization anymore, I'm working for hundreds! I have access to a larger network than I could have ever imagined. I am still learning great tips and tricks from how foundations run in my new role. But now the best part is, I'm able to pass my knowledge on to so many more.

I would have never been given the opportunity to have this position if I myself had never made eye contact and spoke with my now boss, Geoff, at one of those conferences. I would have never found out how ZoomGrants actually  does deliver on those promises. I would have never learned that he had a background in the nonprofit field before creating this company. Cool, right?! I would've never looked to him for ideas on how other funders did their grant making to improve mine. He would've never been able to ask me for my opinions on how to serve foundations' grant software needs better. But...I would've still gotten that free water bottle. Hey, we like free stuff too. We get it!

Next time you're at a conference, it's okay to make eye contact with me on the "other side!" It's not dark at all over here; it's a lot of fun! I encourage you to expand your network by talking to me and others in that exhibition hall. Just think of the expansive network we can connect you too. Many of us have a lot of experience we can share beyond the software we offer. So, don't be afraid to ask. Maybe I or another member of our ZoomGrants team can help shed some light on the problems you're facing. (pun intended!) Because after all, I'm not just salesperson, I'm a Customer Relations Manager. 


Becky Hardekopf
becky.hardekopf@zoomgrants.com
866.323.5404 ext 6