Don’t Look for a Streamlined Future—Innovation Piles on Options

If you imagine that AI, robotics, and automation are launching a future where you issue commands to mechanical workers while relaxing with a cold one, I’ve got bad news. A recent conversation with Kim Robinson, President of FrontlineCo, highlighted the idea that the business changes we’re experiencing are not streamlining work. Innovation is adding sophistication, complexity,…

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Understand the X, Y, Zs of Member Connections

If a girl scout in your house is selling cookies, who are the top prospects on her list? That’s a no-brainer. Even friends who have sworn off sugar will probably say yes to a box of Thin Mints from your fledgling entrepreneur. An emotional connection paves the way for an easy sale. That advice is…

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Without Trust, You Don’t Have a Team

Do you ever wonder how you’re doing as a leader? What’s the best way to evaluate your skills? There are a variety of metrics that might be useful. You could distribute a survey, conduct 360-degree performance evaluations, analyze the financials, and assess your progress against goals. But there is an easier way. Ask yourself whether…

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Get Everyone Singing Together—Align Content to Strategy

You invested in the right technology and developed a solid strategic plan. Now, the team is rolling out new member-success initiatives. Why aren’t people paying attention? The numbers are still slipping. It might be because customers aren’t hearing your important story. Content, or the words, ideas, facts, and images, that you use to promote your…

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Build a Culture To Fit the New World of Work

Who on your team is spending the lunch hour scrolling the job sites? I can guarantee that someone is seriously searching for their next opportunity. And, the most likely candidate is probably one of your rising stars. If that thought gives you an uncomfortable shiver, read on. In a world where the office, as we…

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ENA Makes Culture a Magnet for Talent

I once overheard a volunteer at a nonprofit organization say that replacing a key staffer would be easy. Not only did this employee have impressive credentials, she also was making significant contributions to the group. However, in this board member’s view, there were plenty of eager young professionals who could step into that important spot.…

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Find the Athletes You Need to Innovate

Don Dea and Hugh Lee, the co-founders of DigitalNow, are colleagues I look to as voices from the future. In an interview for our book, “Association 4.0: An Entrepreneurial Approach to Risk, Courage, and Transformation,” Don made this prediction. “In order to help workers adapt, associations will need to find and hire terrific athletes. Talent…

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Say 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…

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