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"Benchmarking in Action:  Implementing Advancement Metrics"

January 13, 2010 – Program Summary

Presenter:  Deborah Taft, Associate Vice President, Simmons College
Round Table Discussion Leaders:  Beth Kramer, Assistant Dean of Development, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Ann-Marie Ward, Donor Relations Manager, Children’s Hospital Trust, Mary Doorley, Director of Development, Reach Out and Read and Cristine More, Senior Consultant, C&C Consulting Group.

Deb Taft provided an insightful discussion style presentation in which she successfully demonstrated the value of benchmarking at Simmons College. Deb presented slides with actual information from the College’s most recent fiscal years detailing the discovery process which lead to successful assessment of strengths and weaknesses of the organization, and the resulting set of benchmarks now utilized by her staff.  She spoke extensively about the “why” and “what” of the measurements she has used and the series of inquiries used to develop dimensions and characteristics of portfolios, prospect ratings, individual and team visit goals and proposals, as well as accompanying ask and dollar goals. She was able to successfully convey the accomplishments this extensive study offered her staff, and the hopes she has for continued understanding to their work.

Following Deb’s presentation, each discussion group was lead through a series of inquiries designed to help participants discover potential value-added methods, and challenges to a benchmarking program.  Discussion leaders described thoughts and strategies on benchmarking in her shop, and also how these current methods could be applied to participants’ situations.

Submitted by Judy Wolfe and Cristine More, WID Programming Committee