Sustainability
Association Leaders Need an AI Plan, Not Another AI Pep Talk
By now, most association leaders know AI matters. That is no longer the question. The real question is this: what are you actually going to do about it? Because right now, many organizations are stuck in one of two places. They are either cautiously circling the topic, waiting for more clarity, more examples, more certainty. Or they are jumping into…
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 MoreStrategies to Power Your Journey to Organizational Excellence
Excellence. It’s a word we love to put in taglines, strategy decks, and mission statements. But how many organizations actually live it? For associations committed to lasting impact, the real challenge is building sustainable pathways to organizational excellence—approaches that not only achieve results now but also position your organization to thrive for decades to come.…
Read MoreWhy Your Digital Tools Aren’t Enough (And What to Do About It)
Let’s be honest. Most organizations love to talk about “going digital.” They invest in new AMS systems. Move documents to the cloud. Launch a shiny new website. Then they wonder why nothing really changes. Here’s the hard truth: Technology doesn’t transform your organization. People do. You can have all the best tools in the world —…
Read MoreThe Road Less Traveled: Your Pathway to Organizational Excellence
Let’s be real. Most leaders are overwhelmed. Too many strategies gather dust. Too many “initiatives” die in half-finished decks. And too many organizations keep running in circles, stuck in the comforting illusion of “business as usual.” So, what is the pathway to organizational excellence? Here’s the gut punch: Excellence isn’t an end point. It’s not a…
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 MoreIs Your Organization Built for Long-Term Excellence?
Summary: In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, associations can’t afford to simply react to change—they must be built for resilience, relevance, and reinvention. Long-term organizational excellence rests on three foundational pillars: Strategic Vision that creates living, measurable roadmaps connecting daily work to bigger goals; Cultural Alignment that empowers teams to embrace change and drive innovation; and…
Read MoreThe Transformation of 340B Health – Building Momentum for Innovation Background
340B Health, an organization advocating for hospitals and health systems serving vulnerable communities, faced a rapidly changing regulatory environment. While financially stable, the association operated in a volatile policy landscape, where government regulations could shift every two to four years. This uncertainty made long-term strategic planning challenging. To remain competitive and continue its advocacy work…
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…
Read MoreWho Remembers AOL?
You’ve Got Mail…But Do You Still Have Relevance? Lessons from AOL’s Decline for Associations In the 1990s, America Online (AOL) was synonymous with the internet experience. The iconic phrase “You’ve Got Mail” heralded a new era of digital communication and community building. At its peak in 1999, AOL had over 18 million subscribers, making it…
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