Three Ways Highly-Trained Callers Make a Difference Beyond Donors and Dollars

Are you considering cutting caller training hours this fall to save time and money?  You might want to rethink that strategy and find other areas to reduce expenses.  Of the over 125 programs I have consulted with in the last few years, I estimate that only a handful (less than 10) exceeded my minimum expectations for caller training.  The vast majority of institutions did far less than the 12 hours I advocate for.  In fact, most only did one or two nights of training for a total of 8 or fewer hours.  This is a big mistake in my opinion.  Yes, we need to be very wise in our expenditures this year in phonathon.  But reducing a principle component of program productivity should not be first on the chopping block.    Here are three additional reasons outside of raising dollars and donors not to skimp on new hire training.