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20 years ago I was offered an interview for a Corporate Fundraising role at Breakthrough Breast Cancer. I could barely believe I'd been shortlisted. I was living in Teesside, the job was starting in 4 weeks, and I knew bugger all about fundraising or charity partnerships...
I just wanted to leave my job dull job working for a dreadfully sexist e-commerce company to do something creative, meaningful, and for women. Interview task: 'Pitch a new corporate partnerships idea'. This was a new one on me....
I was worried about how I'd stack up against experience and London-based candidates. So, I decided 'not' to pitch a product/company that would be a good/strategic brand fit. Odd move, but bear with me, I was worried about someone with more gravitas pitching the same thing..
So off I went to London with my 'big ideas' on acetates under my arm. (Yep, acetates). The printing had cost me a fortune. As part of my pitch, I asked the all-male panel to role-play working for the company that I was pitching to. That company was Durex...
I pitched an idea for sparkly pink 'condom caddy' that empowered women to take control of their sex-lives by carrying condoms in their 'caddy' whilst raising money to save lives from breast cancer
( I know there's a LOT to say about this idea now, but then it was progressive!)
( I know there's a LOT to say about this idea now, but then it was progressive!)
One panel member got really into role-playing being a staff member at Durex, leading him to use the unfortunate phrase 'wearing my condom hat', and everyone in the room being either mortified or in stitches. 'Well, Boult, you've f**d this up' - should have gone for make-up'.
They actually gave me the job. I was asked how much I their £150K partnership with M&S should be worth. I chirpily guessed '£1M - and said 'i can do that'. Within two years I'd turned it into £2M, that partnership is still going, and 5 yrs ago I became a Fundraising Director...
My degree did not get me that job. Ideas and gumption got me that job. Two brilliant men taking a chance on me, got me that job. I also learned how to interview from them. Look for the spark and the potential in someone. Not their academic record. I never did contact Durex....
