Maintain Unadorned Directness (Eschew Complexity)
This past week Google alerts notified me that a new “Associate Vice President for Advancement” was hired for the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus. Give it a quick read.
Immediately they were awarded with my infamous SHUN award! Congrats to Virginia Tech. What is SHUN, you ask? SeekingHighly Unnecessary Nuances. Some of you may recognize it as SNUB: Strategically Nurturing Unwieldy Bureaucracy.
My heart sank for Larroque as I read his duties, which included: “maximize support and exposure”... “oversee integrated development, engagement, and communications”... “create and implement an advancement strategy”... “create connections and foster partnerships”... “raise the profile of the campus”... “drive philanthropic support”... “secure private philanthropic support”... “producing target engagement opportunities”... “usher in a new era of achievement and impact”...
[quick commercial break while I tend to a sudden bout of sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia…]
And the kicker? Larroque will report to twobosses. The author of the article actually feels the need to point out that stinker of a fact. Even the worst managers and leaders among us know this is a problem.
But, hey, I’m sure Christophe Larroque is up to the task. This isn’t his first rodeo. Since 2004 he has held 7 (seven) different financial development positions, with an average stay of 2.5 years. In one of his positions Larroque stayed for more than sevenyears. Remove that anomaly and he’s squarely positionedin the “18-month-and-move-on-club” of frontline fundraisers.
So, quick question: What do they think they're doing? This doesn’t feel like good business to me. Alas, trying to turn the Titanic quickly is a fool's errand. Can they at least work with theirmessaging? I might suggest something like this:
(Headline)
Chalk up a win for the students and alumni of Virginia Tech Innovation Campus
(Article)
"Every day at VTIC feels like a new adventure. The hands-on experimentation has completely transformed my learning experience; it's like we're not just studying technology, we're living it. Diving deep into real-world problems and being encouraged to tinker, fail, and succeed has ignited a passion in me that I never knew existed.” Jane Jones, current student
"Reflecting on my time at the VTIC, it's clear that engaging with real-world challenges prepared me for more than just a job—they paved the way to my dream career. Today, I'm not just working in technology; I'm shaping its future, thanks to the solid foundation and the passion for innovation I developed back at the campus. It was there I learned to embrace challenges, think critically, and innovate relentlessly. Everyday I’m solving complex problems and contributing to groundbreaking advancements." Ben Benson, 2016 graduate
As the new Giver Engagement Director at VTIC, Christophe Larroque celebrates those stories and plans to usher in “more of that goodness”.
He continues, “I am honored to join in supporting the creativity and hard work of these amazing students and alumni. Stay tuned for some super innovative ways that individuals and businesses can partner with us. I may have to create a first-come-first-served queue! It’s going to be a blast to see what our students and alumni continue to create.”
Welcome Christophe!
So, my encouragement to you this week is to KISS, not SHUN or SNUB (or be clear as MUD).
Keep It Simple Super-cool-people-that-I-love 🥰.
* * * * * * * * * *
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Blessings,
