Really Doing More with Less
CURRENTS Article DePaul University made the unpopular decision several years ago to limit major gift officers' portfolios to 70 prospective donors. The new system, which included changes designed to improve accountability, forced the development office to prioritize the prospect pool more effectively. The department has seen increases in both the volume of gifts and amount raised.

La palabra con B
CURRENTS Article Los bonos en la procuración de fondos son una táctica usada para atraer y retener a los que contribuyen de alguna manera a la institución, aunque de alguna forma son menos controversiales que antes, no todos creen en los bonos. ¿Cómo son los programas de bonos y cuáles son otras formas de motivar?

The B-Word
CURRENTS Article Fundraising bonuses are one tactic used to attract and retain those who contribute to the institution's bottom line, but while they are less controversial than they once were, not everyone is a believer. What do different bonus programs look like and what are other ways to motivate top talent?

Closing Remarks: Plan Overboard
CURRENTS Article The author describes executive teams in which some vice presidents not only withhold their support of the campus CEO and institutional planning privately but also have no compunction about doing so publicly. Such vice presidents won’t commit resources and expertise to institutional efforts and insist on revisiting agreed-upon plans about speed, direction, and destination. He asks why campus CEOs tolerate this behavior and suggests eight costs to the institution when it persists. Further, he suggests solutions for dealing with recalcitrant vice presidents.

Manager's Portfolio: Play Nice
CURRENTS Article Generational differences in the workplace create the potential for workplace conflict and confusion. Understanding the nuances of each generation's preferences can make giving and receiving feedback more pleasant and effective.

Manager's Portfolio: This Won't Hurt a Bit
CURRENTS Article Performance reviews provide opportunities to improve communication, set goals, provide motivation, discover talents, and uncover problems. Managers can minimize the stress of reviews by recognizing and counteracting the main sources of anxiety: concern about confrontation, lack of appropriate format, improper timing, inadequate preparation, and cursory reviews. Employees can help by insisting on knowing the grounds for evaluation and asking for an appropriate setting.

Manager's Portfolio: Out of Line Means Out of Time
CURRENTS Article Many managers are reluctant to confront a poor performer, but the problem becomes harder to solve the longer it goes unaddressed. A management consultant recommends this action program for getting difficult employees to shape up: 1) Confront the problem. 2) Establish open lines of communication. 3) Empower the employee to propose solutions. 4) Reinforce the message in a second meeting. 5) Craft an improvement plan. 6) Talk to human resources. 7) Resolve through probation and/or termination.