Lately, I’ve been writing about the importance of connecting technology to values and emotions. But I may be glossing over an important point. It’s impossible to create that high-level, human-centered impact without getting into the weeds. Data is the foundation for every technological initiative. Good data governance is essential for successful digital outcomes. Data that…

Read More

Part Two When the generative AI bots made their debut in early 2024, they signaled a definitive end to the idea that yesterday’s technology is good enough for today’s members. Expectations for high-touch service and personal attention are rising steadily. Sliding by on “same old, same old” is not an option in a newly competitive…

Read More

Excellence is never a given. Being identified as the best in anything from soccer to sales requires commitment and hard work. But for decades, associations easily held pride of place in their industries. Members saw us as a professional home, their most trusted source of advocacy and information. Yes, we had to win that loyalty.…

Read More

Stuff is falling off your plate. You’re surrounded by a scary pile of responsibilities. You could delegate. But you don’t have the time to bring another staffer up to speed. Or you might hire new talent, but an opportunity to interview and onboard seems as elusive as a vacation day. Unfortunately, this Catch 22 is…

Read More

In a digital market moving at the speed of a video game, recruiting the right staff is a make-or-break activity. But what about the other half of the equation? Most association CEOs don’t hand-pick the board. How do we bring novice players up to speed? What can we do to ensure they have the skills…

Read More

There’s always a magnet for attention in the room–that individual surrounded by a group of eager listeners. Have you ever wondered what spark makes them special? Some people just understand how to click with others. They’re good at social skills like listening, empathy, and finding common ground. The same concept applies to organizations. The associations…

Read More

Do you have a friend whose house looks like it belongs to neat freak Felix Unger, but the closets and drawers are clearly owned by lovable slob Oscar Madison? This Odd Couple disconnect happens to even savvy digital organizations. My writing about digital leadership often focuses on values and attitudes. But attention to the infrastructure’s…

Read More