62 DEANS AND DEVELOPMENT type of feedback for improving development visits. We recommend that you and your development officer discuss what went well and what could be improved immediately after the visit concludes. Only then will you be able to discuss wording, timing, the donor’s reaction, etc. Making this conversation a compulsory part of your visit routine will quickly make it feel normal for both of you. You both must be explicit about who should change what at the next visit, which means you (even as dean) should accept, and thank, constructive criticism. (BSD)Afteronevisitconcludedwithaprospectwhosaid“just ask if you need anything,” my development officer reminded me that would have been an ideal time to make a “soft ask,” where I would have set up an appointment to discuss with them funding for a specific initiative in the college. I thanked my officer for the feedback, and encouraged her to provide more in the future. (JCH) In my early months as dean, my development officer was already in the final stages of planning two major events in two distant cities. I was too inexperienced at the time to see— although realization dawned very soon—that the develop- ment officer had taken on far too many practical and logistical tasks, to the detriment of any significant cultivation of donor relationships. The events were “successful” to the extent that they went well and were enjoyed by those who were present, but both represented huge investments of time and resources with little, if any, tangible results. Lesson learned! The officer left not long thereafter. My current officer and I are much more judicious in the investment of each other’s time. As noted in Chapter 1, the development officer and support staff may report directly or indirectly to a central Development Office. Regard- less of who carries out the formal personnel review, you will want to have a good working relationship with the development officer’s “other” supervisor. If either side perceives problems in the development officer’s performance, this should be discussed and feedback coordinated. If the