USA Leadership Corps - Jason Rubottom

Jason's Background

Currently a senior consultant for CRM Consultants in Seattle, Washington, Jason specializes in developing go-to-market strategies for software products and services. He has also developed and implemented operational improvements in a variety of business settings.

Jason earned his Bachelor's Degree from Pacific Lutheran University where he studied Business and Finance.

Jason Learns about the Corps

While browsing Vault.com for articles about the consulting industry, Jason came across an ad for the Corps program. He was immediately interested in the idea of becoming a volunteer consultant because he has a great passion for both business and helping others. He was extremely excited to learn more about the Corps' work and how he could be a part of it.

At the same time, he did anticipate several challenges while participating in the Corps:

A. Balancing his Corps commitment with the time-consuming obligations of his work.

B. Understanding the cultural differences between his for-profit clients and those of non-profit clients.

Jason Rubottom

People of Color Against AIDS Network

(POCAAN)

C. Adjusting to a high learning curve associated with the Corps methodology and consulting approach...

Jason Applies to the Corps

"The Corps' interview process was a good test," Jason recalls. "It challenged me to understand and apply their methodologies. Further, because the methodology and training was robust, it also showed me that the Corps was serious about the work they do."

Jason's Client

One month after completing the Corps interview and training process, Jason was matched with a Seattle nonprofit: People of Color Against AIDS Network (POCAAN). POCAAN is a multi-cultural AIDS prevention organization created in response to the impact that HIV/AIDS has had on communities of color. They develop, implement, and promote comprehensive multicultural HIV/AIDS prevention models for these communities.

Like many nonprofits, POCAAN was challenged financially. It had recently decided to pursue public fundraising avenues to improve its financial situation. Its Finance Director engaged the Corps to help develop their strategy.

"The Corps' methodology and training was robust... It also showed me that they were serious about the work they do."

Jason's Success

After three months of discussion and analysis, Jason and his client team developed key fundraising goals for the organization and four core strategies to achieve this goal.
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While completing the project Jason confronted the challenges he anticipated:
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A. Balancing the Corps program with his work: "There were times when my full-time job really made it tough to have another serious commitment like this, even for a few hours a week. It was common that I did my Corps work on the weekends."

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B. Cultural/working differences with his client: "Because nonprofits don't have a 'bottom line,' they often make decisions collaboratively and minimize confrontations... Understanding these cultural differences compared to the corporate world was important to my success on the project."

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C. Project learning curve: "Understanding fundraising and how the "system" works was a challenge, especially with limited hours per week. I had to get up to speed quickly, do my homework, and be on my toes to ensure that I was asking the right questions and proposing solutions I was confident with."

By the conclusion of the project Jason thought, "What a rewarding experience! I truly felt that it was one of the coolest projects I've ever done in consulting...

"My client was an excellent team member and very passionate about the results we were trying to achieve. At the same time, the Corps and my client were also respectful of my limited time. We kept our weekly meeting times to a minimum."

Jason's client also thought the project was as a success. "Jason was great. While fundraising was not his 'forte' he did all the research necessary to get background on our situation. I appreciated his professionalism and his ability to see 'the big picture' as well as the details."

"Nonprofits often make decisions collaboratively... Understanding this cultural differences was important to my success."