Association Management
If a Chatbot Can Replace Your Value, It Was Never Your Value
Only eleven percent of associations describe their value proposition as very compelling. Sit with that number. Nine out of ten organizations in our sector, asked to assess their own case for membership, decline to make a strong claim about it. That is not a marketing gap. That is a group of experienced leaders quietly telling…
Read MoreNobody Can Find You Anymore
A thirty-four-year-old engineer has a question about a licensure requirement in her state. Six years ago she would have searched, landed on your association’s guidance page, hit a form, and eventually become a member. Last Tuesday she asked an AI assistant. She got a clear, correct answer in nine seconds. She never saw a website. She never learned your organization exists. Here is…
Read MoreAI Is Exposing the Patterns Holding Associations Back
For more than 20 years, I have helped associations lead change—first from inside associations and later as a consultant working alongside executives, boards and teams navigating digital transformation. The technology has changed dramatically during that time. We moved from early websites and databases to integrated platforms, cloud systems, data strategies, automation and now artificial intelligence.…
Read MoreThree Books. One Methodology for Leading Associations Through Disruption
Strategy. Mindset. Self. That is the work of leadership now. Association leaders are not navigating a temporary period of change. They are operating in an era of continuous disruption. Member expectations are shifting. Technology is accelerating. Business models are under pressure. Boards are asking harder questions. Staff teams are stretched. AI is changing the nature of work.…
Read MoreFuture-Ready Leadership Means Making Hard Decisions Before the Pressure Forces Them
There is a pattern I see often in organizations that feel stuck. Leaders know something is not working. They can see the strain. They can feel the drag. They know a process is outdated, a structure is too heavy, a team is overloaded, or a strategy has lost momentum. And yet, they wait. Not because they are careless. Not…
Read MoreStaff Augmentation Is Not a Shortcut. It Is a Smart Leadership Move When Capacity Is Breaking
Many leaders hesitate before bringing in outside support. They worry it will look like weakness. They worry it will signal that the team is not capable. They worry it will raise questions about planning, priorities, or budget discipline. That hesitation is real. But here is the bigger risk. Waiting too long to bring in support when your organization is already…
Read MoreNavigating Uncertainty: Scenario Planning for Associations
Every association leader dreams of confidently steering their organization towards success, even amidst uncertainty. Yet, the past few years have taught us valuable lessons about how quickly circumstances can shift, creating unexpected challenges—and opportunities. While we can’t predict every twist and turn ahead, scenario planning equips association leaders with the tools to adapt effectively and…
Read MoreTrust as the Cornerstone: Implementing a ‘No Surprises’ Policy in Association Leadership
In the high-stakes world of association leadership—where complex governance, mission-driven urgency, and shifting member expectations intersect—trust is the currency that keeps everything moving forward. But trust isn’t a given. It’s earned through consistency, clarity, and the courage to communicate—even when it’s uncomfortable. That’s why more association executives are adopting a simple but powerful principle: the…
Read MoreStop Tripping Over the Rug: Why Familiar Obstacles Are Still Holding Your Organization Back
Outside the boardroom at one of our client’s offices, there’s a well-worn rug. It’s been there for years. You can see the edges curling up—just enough to catch a shoe or cause a stumble. And sure enough, during a visit, I watched three people trip over it within an hour. No one said anything. They…
Read MoreGovernance Is a Journey: How ASCM (formerly APICS) Built Trust, Resilience, and Growth
This post is adapted from Association 4.0 – Positioning for Success in an Era of Disruption, originally published in 2018. At the time of this interview, Abe Eshkenazi, CSCP, CPA, CAE, served—and continues to serve—as the CEO of APICS (now the Association for Supply Chain Management). While the governance landscape has evolved, the strategies and…
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