The Power of Convincing

Have you ever visited a psychic? Just for fun, of course. I wouldn’t suggest that association executives take their cues from tea leaves or the Tarot deck. A little mystery is exciting, right? And, it wouldn’t be nearly as entertaining if those predictions didn’t occasionally ring true. Far be it from me to “dis” anyone’s…

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Resilience Rides the Waves of Disruption

Now that “disruption” is a business catchphrase, is “resilience” an equally common term in your professional vocabulary? It’s a word that deserves a prominent place in every management team’s playbook. A global biological disaster was unique in our current experience. It introduced the idea that disruption is more like a wave than a precipice. A…

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Are You Done With Digital Transformation?

Your CMS, LMS, and AMS are chatting happily together. The team is using the new analytics software to plan more effective outreach initiatives. And, members are enjoying your responsive and customized approach. Is it time to put a wrap on digital transformation? After all, you’ve been working to improve your tech game for the last…

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To Survive a Crisis, Lean Into Trust—CEOs Share Pandemic Stories

While some businesses are writing their final pandemic chapter, the healthcare and restaurant industries continue to feel the aftershocks of seismic disruption. Nancy MacRae, MS, CEO of the Emergency Nurses Association and Kristine Hillmer, MBA, CAE, and President and CEO of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association, are leaders who guided their members through the rubble toward…

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ChatGPT Isn’t Ready for Prime Time, But an Upskilled Team Will Be

The introduction of ChatGPT from Open AI makes for jittery breakroom conversation. An AI whose vocabulary is limited to customer service platitudes doesn’t seem so threatening. But when the chatbot can write an essay, that’s another story. Back in 2017, McKenzie reported that: “By 2030, 75 million to 375 million workers (3 to 14 percent of the global…

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Challenging Conversations—Tackling Risk

If your association is lucky enough to have an investment portfolio, a discussion about risk has probably been on the board’s agenda. Financial managers make understanding the group’s risk tolerance a defining component of their strategy. These conversations are limited to bottom-line issues. But risk doesn’t always come with a dollar sign attached. Although money…

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