Delivering Excellence in the Age of AI or Association 4.0
Part One 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Catching Up to Nordstrom—Deliver Member Delight
Nordstrom is famous for their return policy. They’ll accept an item that may not even be from their store. For this courtesy, they have gained a die-hard fan base. Before Netflix was an idea, Nordstrom knew a thing or two about the value of personalized service. Since 1901, the company has been committed to providing a […]
Onboarding the Board—Your Opportunity to Promote Peak Performance
How would you describe your board’s performance? Is it— the organization’s greatest asset? They are wise stewards of our resources and visionaries who identify strategies for future growth. a thorn in the side? They are contrarians lost in the weeds who impede our progress. inconsequential? They are crickets, disinterested or afraid to debate and express […]
Culture, Community, and Technology—A Successful 2022 Convergence
Our Year in Review The .orgSource and .orgCommunity teams send our best wishes to our clients and friends for a happy and productive 2023. But, before we welcome a new year, let’s toast 2022! We got our tribe back from the flatland and into three dimensions. Visiting with clients and colleagues in person was a […]
Focusing on Excellence Puts the National Association for Healthcare Quality Ahead of Change
People think of me as a fixer—the person you call to repair broken systems. And yes, I do my share of cleanups in the strategy, technology, and marketing aisles. But I’m also fortunate to have clients who look to me for advice on how to prevent accidents, keep innovation in stock, and attract new customers. […]
Technology Isn’t Always the Hero or the Villain—Sometimes It’s a Bit Player
We think of technology as the good guy or the bully. It’s a silent partner in our work; and if things aren’t going well, that uncooperative software platform often takes the wrap. My business revolves around digital initiatives. When people call me to discuss a new purchase, I ask lots of questions. During those conversations, […]
Rule Your Market—Blue Ocean Strategy Sidesteps the Sharks
Are sharks circling your member base, eyeing bites for their next meal? Even if your association is trapped in a sea of competition, you can change course and sail toward possibility. Sharon Rice, .orgSource Managing Director of Business Strategy, is our expert for guiding associations through tough markets. At .orgCommunity’s recent Innovation Summit, Sharon explored how Blue Ocean […]
Understand the X, Y, Zs of Member Connection
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 […]
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 who can […]
To Stay on the Bull, Learn From Other Riders
Being a CEO today is a little like riding a bull. The experience is guaranteed to be bumpy. But, if you have half an hour to listen to someone else’s story, you can learn a lot about how others manage the challenge. The leaders I interview for my Association 4.0 podcast encourage me to think in unexpected […]
The Right Business Model Puts all the Wheels Into Alignment
Have you ever pushed a shopping cart with a loose, squeaky wheel? That one misalignment makes getting around the store frustrating and difficult. Associations move toward success on these four wheels. Insightful strategic planning Effective and attainable goals and objectives A capable team And a business model that maximizes the market When you’re trying to […]
Diversity Can’t Stand Alone—It Needs Equity and Inclusion To Matter
Like a string of beads, it is our unique differences and intricacies that make us so appealing and attractive. We would not be as beautiful if we were all the same. It’s the contrast and asymmetry that makes us worthwhile.— Lindsey Lunsford, M.E.M., eXtention Foundation, 2019 Impact Collaborative, DEI Fellow One of my early jobs was […]
Association 4.0™ – Find the Sweet Spot in Digital Markets
Is anyone else tired of dystopian predictions? Today, I’m going to consider perfection. This may not be what most people imagine as utopia. But the realm of Association 4.0™ is pretty close to my ideal for my clients and their organizations. Several years ago, .orgSource coined the phrase Association 4.0 to describe the approach needed […]