Don’t Set and Forget Technology–Regular Assessments Deliver Peak Performance

“Set and forget” is a busy professional’s best friend. Automations like scheduled social promotions, email campaigns, and critical calendar reminders are digital conveniences that free space for more important assignments. If only we could take that casual approach to technology in general. Unfortunately, the head-spinning pace of innovations means that state-of-the-art becomes obsolete in a…

Read More

Move DEI Beyond Words

The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Trye Nichols prompted vocal support for social justice throughout the business community. Organizations of all stripes were quick to issue statements confirming their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 2020, the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) reported that following George Floyd’s death, 85% of organizations…

Read More

Raise the Board’s Financial IQ

What is your board’s financial IQ? That’s a question every association CEO should be able to answer. While you may not have a Warren Buffett in the group, hopefully, there are some above-average number crunchers. To adequately fulfill the three duties of a nonprofit board member—Care, Loyalty, and Obedience—a solid understanding of the organization’s financial…

Read More

To Find Value—Innovate!

Value is the association industry’s word of the hour. Customer expectations for online commerce are driving the preoccupation to deliver tangible member benefits paired with exceptional experience. Tired thinking won’t get you to your value happy place. To meet the moment, make an ongoing commitment to innovation. .orgSource senior consultant, Elizabeth Lucas and I recently…

Read More

Build a Digital Ecology–Promote IT Collaboration Across Your Organization

We need another term for “digital transformation.” It sounds instantaneous—as if you could type a few commands and new software would magically turn your organization into a super-powered generator of member engagement and delight. If only it were that simple. Real “transformation” requires a commitment that goes beyond updated equipment. Becoming a digital organization means…

Read More

Hire Fresh Talent—But Before You Shop, Check the Fridge

You learn a lot about consumer preferences by reading the reviews on Yelp. Thousands of users are eager to tell you what they love and what makes them crazy. You don’t have to spend much time on the site to understand the difference between outstanding and dismal. Whether it’s a restaurant, hotel, or doctor’s office,…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More