Digital Transformation—Once an Option, Now a Necessity

When do you stop having a choice? In May 2019, when the panel discussion below was first published in the .orgSource newsletter, digital transformation probably wasn’t top of mind for most association leaders. Since 2020 taught us that only the digital survive, new strategies and approaches for IT are on every agenda. The question is…

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Normal Left the Party—Survey Reveals Associations Want Her Back

What should we call it—the  New Normal, the Next Normal, Another Normal? Please let go of normal. When the DJ stopped playing oldies, Normal left the party. Since well before the pandemic, I’ve been urging my colleagues and clients to consider that stability in the digital marketplace is a dangerous illusion. Guiding our association clients…

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A Publishing Strategy Makes Content Magic

What magic will– It’s a tall order, but no wands or capes are involved. A publishing strategy that unifies mission and messaging to deliver the information your members need accomplishes all that and more. The challenge lies in navigating an industry that is an epicenter of disruption and regularly reinvents itself. If you follow my…

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From Problem Child to Genius—Energizing Chapters

The smiles are back! Yesterday the CDC announced that anyone who is fully vaccinated need not wear a mask in most circumstances. But wait. The comments on my Facebook page tell an interesting story. Everyone isn’t jumping on Open Table or heading to the movies. Some of us are quite happy, thank you very much,…

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Send Culture to the Door When Trouble Comes to Call

I frequently write the words digital and success in the same sentence. Technology is important. A weak infrastructure at the beginning of 2020 meant it was a very hard year. As much as I value electronic connectivity, culture or the human side of business will always be the imperative. We may never experience another global…

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Want To Innovate? Don’t Get Too Comfortable

A colleague recently confided in me that although her association is facing serious challenges, the board isn’t interested in learning how to govern more effectively. Her attempts to educate them are always met with resistance. You can guess where this group is headed. If they manage to survive over the next few years, it will…

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As the Pandemic Ends—The Need to Reinvent Grows

I found a relic of my former life when I was organizing my files. It was a presentation I created back in January 2020. The title was Association 4.0—Creating Community in a Less Social World. I planned to use the deck to launch a new series of in-person Think Tanks. The topic was going to…

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