Technology
From Resistance to Resilience: Navigating the Human Side of Tech Upgrades
Summary: When associations invest in new technology, the focus often centers on features, functionality, and expected ROI. But the real determinant of success isn’t the sophistication of your CRM or AMS—it’s whether your people embrace it. Digital transformation fails not because of technical limitations, but because of human resistance rooted in fear of failure, job…
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 MoreUnlocking AI Success: The 3 Essentials Every Association Needs to Thrive
In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a future concept—it’s a present-day game changer. But while headlines scream about revolutionary AI tools and the promise of automation, there’s a critical element that often gets overlooked: AI success isn’t about the technology itself—it’s about how well your organization is prepared to use…
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 MoreWill Your Organization Be a Case Study for Innovation—or Irrelevance?
It’s a bold question—but it’s the one association leaders must ask themselves today: Are we writing our own case study in innovation, or are we inching toward irrelevance while clinging to yesterday’s strategies? The truth is disruption doesn’t ask for permission. It doesn’t care if you’ve had a stellar year or if your team just…
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 MoreTaming the Information Jungle: Lessons from AIIM’s Digital Transformation Journey
This post is adapted from Association 4.0 – Positioning for Success in an Era of Disruption, originally published in 2018. While some technology trends have evolved since then, the leadership strategies and digital transformation insights remain highly relevant. At the time of this interview, Peggy Winton served as President and CEO of the Association for…
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…
Read MoreUrgency Meets Opportunity: Why 2025 is Critical for Associations
The digital era is advancing at an unprecedented pace, bringing both opportunities and challenges for associations. It’s clear that associations must make critical changes to remain competitive, relevant, and impactful. The risks of staying stagnant are high – associations that don’t adapt to technological advancements risk membership declines, revenue losses, and diminished influence. Our recent…
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