Profile:
The Challenge
The vision required a significant amount of fund-raising, more than had ever been done in all the years it had operated, for the vision for become a reality. It required employees, the corporate community, as well as all levels of government to believe and endorse the vision and be willing to support it financially. The challenges for the young visionary were 1) management leadership and motivation, 2) selling the vision to employees, the corporate community, all three levels of government and the Canadian music industry, 3) building a landmark facility equal to the vision, and 4) acquiring the required financial support and investment to build the dream
The Solution
The Executive Director’s vision needed to be developed and articulated in a manner that potential stakeholders would be energized and excited by it. It was essential to develop the strategy to not only secure government funding but also private donations to this initiative. Similar in some ways to sales, we needed to communicate the “What’s in it for Me” message to secure the funding to make this a reality. It was also essential that the Executive Director remove himself from daily operation, which consumed 80% of his time, if his dream was to come true.
The Results
The 160,000 square foot facility was built after $191 million was raised and the facility was opened in 2016. It is recognized across the country for its contribution to preserving and telling the story of music in Canada.