Changing the Course of CHQ History

Opening day of the Iowa Legislature, 2003.

At the same time my new competitors were systematically picking off my clients, I’d come to the conclusion that part of my problem was too many one-off clients distracting focus from the ones that mattered.

Nicole Schlinger Iowa Legislature

So I made a list of clients who were “not enough juice for the squeeze” … too much work for not enough pay. One of those clients was Bill Dix. On the opening day of the 2003 legislative session, he asked to meet with me in his office. My intention was to cut him loose at that meeting.

Instead, Bill told me he had met with my competitors, heard their pitch, and decided to stay with me. He then told me all of the things I needed to do better to keep HIM as a client. That meeting changed the course of #CHQ history. It was a tiny little win after a string of painful, crushing losses. But it was enough to keep going.

Bill went on to become a record-setting fundraiser and an anchor client. Like Bill would say, Let’s Make it Happen.

More about Bill when we get to 2006 …

A Walk Down Memory Lane

If you’re not my friend on Facebook, you might not know that we recently sold the original HQ for Campaign Headquarters.  This was our one and only office from December 1999 – July 2011. 

As we got ready to say goodbye, I thought it would be fun to share some of the highs and lows of how we got here.

The first visitor to 700 E Pleasant was none other than Jeffrey Robert Boeyink. It was early December 1999. We hadn’t officially moved in yet, but he heard I’d moved out of the extra bedroom and wanted to check out the new place.

Nicole Schlinger BrooklynWhen he arrived, the phones weren’t working. We had four (yes FOUR) landline phones and instead of ringing through the central phone system, they would randomly ring in different offices. So I had to run from room to room picking up the phone, taking RSVPs for upcoming house parties.

The #CHQ bank account was opened on 2/1/1999 with a small check from our first paying client, Iowans for Tax Relief, because folks like Jeff, Steve Grubbs, and Ed Failor Jr were willing to take a chance on 24-year old me.

On the day of Jeff’s visit, I was still more than three years away from taking my first paycheck.

I’ll be posting these flashbacks the next several posts – I hope you’ll tune back in. Drop a comment if you have a fun memory of our old place.

Thanks for reading,

Nicole Schlinger GOP Fundraiser

Nicole Schlinger

Patch Through Season Success

CampaignHQ’s Senior Campaign Director Marlys Popma recently shared a story with our colleagues and clients. I think it really shows what it means to have CHQ on your side, so I wanted to share it with you today.

It’s Monday morning.

I arrive at work, make myself a cup of coffee, and start thinking about what needs to be done this week.

Then the phone rings …

“Marlys, I need 5 patch through calls to 93 different state legislators. The bill is up for a vote TODAY and I don’t have any data or a script.”

Well, I love a challenge! And this was certainly one of them.

At CampaignHQ, we pride ourselves on Legendary Customer Service. In fact, you’ll see a sign on our doors stating our “Five Rules of Legendary Customer Service.” Here are the first two …

        Rule #1: Speed is key!
Rule #2: Go the Extra Mile (or two)!

I like these rules. I like being good at what we do and working in an atmosphere that fosters this approach to customer service.

So, back to my story:

To get this campaign started, we’d need to pull 93 different lists, write and approve the script, set it up in the dialer, and prepare agents to make effective calls … all before the bill came up for a vote!

I knew I could not do this alone. So several colleagues pitched in to help. (That’s what I truly love best about CampaignHQ!)

It was a race to the finish line … and here is the result:

Nicole Schlinger GOP

Typically we tell our clients,

“Get us the data and approved script, and we will have your project up and running within twenty-four hours.” 

But let me tell you this, if you are in a pinch and you need something right away, don’t hesitate to call!

 

Above all else, Marlys’ story shows that at CHQ, the possibilities are endless and we WILL come through for you.

Thanks for reading,

Nicole Schlinger

Exciting Times in Brooklyn

Some big time news hit small town Brooklyn recently.

Nicole Schlinger coffee
Photos courtesy of Center Ground

A new, wonderful coffee shop opened in our community – Center Ground. We’re so excited to have another great, locally owned storefront in our town. It’s already been such a welcome addition.

I mean, hello. Can you smell these cinnamon rolls?

 

NIcole Schlinger homemade

At the beginning of this month, we took a small group of employees who worked around the holiday weekend to give it a try. Our team was in heaven. We’ll sure to be back often.

NIcole Schlinger remodel

You should too. Don’t forget to follow them on Facebook. Be warned, their pastry picture posts are hard to resist.

Thanks for reading,

Nicole Schlinger, President of Campaign Headquarters

Nicole Schlinger

Flashback Friday – First Shift

Here’s another Flashback Friday post comin’ at ya. Eight years ago we ran our first shift in the new building.

Nicole Schlinger Brooklyn Iowa

See how happy Chad is?

We were still young, and had no clue what we were in for…

Thanks to all of our #CHQ employees and clients who’ve made the past 8 years in our new space so great!

Have a great weekend,

Nicole Schlinger always hard at work for CHQ clients

Nicole Schlinger