Posts by Sherry Budziak
The Right Tech Tools Deliver the Frosting and the Cake
.orgCommunity’s June 9 Innovation Summit showcases the most interesting trends in the association industry and the people who make them happen. Planning this event is an annual reset. It’s an opportunity to consider fresh ideas and the strategies that keep them growing. It’s also a chance to discover the technology that supports this new thinking.…
Read MoreSay Goodbye to the Evil Twins and Use Disruption to Grow
Fear of change and fear of failure are the evil twins. In business, being afraid to fail is a safe strategy. Mess up and you could lose that bonus, kiss your raise goodbye, or maybe even get fired. That’s why it can be hard for people to change. The pandemic neutralized both those barriers. We…
Read MoreStrengthen Your Core—8 Competencies for Success in Digital Markets
As a consultant, I’m in the business of giving advice. But I’ll tell you a secret, my best recommendations often come from the outstanding colleagues and leaders in my network. “Pathways to Excellence: A Journey to Association 4.0,” is a paper that outlines our strategies for success in the digital marketplace. We identified eight traits…
Read MoreTo Discover Possibility, Explore Options—Highlights of .orgCommunities’ Solutions in Action Program
Before 2019, could you name a virtual meeting platform? There are no points for Zoom. My guess is that not many readers could do this. Don’t you wish that you’d been ahead of that curve? It’s tough keeping up with technology. But understanding the products and services that make our lives as association leaders easier…
Read MoreGet Them to Build Castles—Strategies for Successful Cross-Functional Teams
Great leaders rely on both sides of the brain. The right brain meticulously lays out the goals and follows the tasks, timeline, and budget. The left brain uses emotional intelligence, empathy, creativity, and artful facilitation to keep all the players working productively together. The more diverse the group, the harder the left brain must work.…
Read MoreKeep the Dandelions Out of Your Data
Last week I urged readers to take a closer look at their association’s business models. I’ll be the first to admit, that without the right systems in place, my advice might be hard to follow. We’ve all come to appreciate the value of data in planning and decision-making. Fancy new technology makes tracking clicks, opens,…
Read MoreTo Stay on the Bull, Learn From Other Riders
Being a CEO today is a little like riding a bull. The experience is guaranteed to be bumpy. But, if you have half an hour to listen to someone else’s story, you can learn a lot about how others manage the challenge. The leaders I interview for my Association 4.0 podcast encourage me to think…
Read MoreThe Right Business Model Puts all the Wheels Into Alignment
Have you ever pushed a shopping cart with a loose, squeaky wheel? That one misalignment makes getting around the store frustrating and difficult. Associations move toward success on these four wheels. When you’re trying to get ahead, each of these elements needs to be in good working order. We devote significant time and scrutiny to…
Read MoreDiversity Can’t Stand Alone—It Needs Equity and Inclusion To Matter
Like a string of beads, it is our unique differences and intricacies that make us so appealing and attractive. We would not be as beautiful if we were all the same. It’s the contrast and asymmetry that makes us worthwhile.— Lindsey Lunsford, M.E.M., eXtention Foundation, 2019 Impact Collaborative, DEI Fellow One of my early…
Read MoreIt’s Not About You—Put the MarCom Focus Where It Belongs
Are you using binoculars or a mirror to create communications? It’s more than an understatement to say that we have the tools to focus on our members. The ability to know our customers down to their preferred publications, favorite conference destination, and hot button issues has never been easier. The information at our fingertips is…
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