Beyond Bronze, Silver, and Gold—Grow Success With Purpose
A colleague recently referred to the time before the pandemic as “innocent.” That description struck a chord with me. She was talking about how unprepared we were for the dramatic changes we experienced. Our lost innocence isn’t a bad thing. We now understand that on this ship nothing is nailed down and the sea is […]
Want To Be a Leader? Get to Know Yourself
What’s the first lesson of Leadership 101? Begin with yourself. Be the change. Walk the talk—right? It sounds simple. But it’s the assignment that’s easiest to fail. Because you might not know yourself as well as you think. And, without self-awareness, it’s impossible to be a role model for others. Does self-awareness mean you realize […]
International Leadership, Women’s Issues, and Branding—A Conversation With Allison K. Summers, CAE
Each year, 12 million girls are married before they turn 18. In the United States, only approximately four states have a law prohibiting marriage under the age of 18. And, there are two states where a couple, accompanied by parents, can marry as early as 12 years old. I learned these disturbing, but important, statistics […]
Beyond the Rainbow—Build a Diverse Board of Independent Thinkers
The boardroom is the last place where CEOs want to rock the boat. But good governance shouldn’t be comfortable. If too many heads bob in agreement, you might want to take a closer look at who is seated at the table. Collegiality among leaders is a good thing. It can fast track important projects. On […]
Leverage ESG to Fast-Track Sustainability and Member Value
Delivering member value gets a lot of airplay in this blog and across the association community. There are good reasons for that intense focus. Associations have new, strenuous competitors. Other providers are offering attractive education and networking opportunities; while social and cultural changes are limiting the time volunteers have to participate. The complexity that created […]
When the Talent Does the Shopping—Recruiting in a Crowded Market
Are you Gucci or Goodwill? Both brands have an audience. But when employees are shopping for a new look, it’s best to be the high-end option. Customer centricity doesn’t apply just to members anymore. Today, it’s equally important to give your employees that white glove treatment. And, if you’re looking for new talent, it’s time […]
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 […]
Have Your Cake and Eat It Too!—A Hybrid Model of Association Management
January 4, 2022Sherry Budziak Hybrid is not just for meetings anymore. The need to adapt to a changing environment has given creative legs to business thinking. We’re mixing, matching, and collaborating in remarkable new ways. Association CEOs and management firms are one example of a pairing that hasn’t always been viewed as a great date. […]
In the Spotlight, the IDSA Foundation Finds Success
Most of us didn’t have viruses on our minds before 2020. Fortunately, some people make researching, preventing, and helping patients survive diseases like COVID-19 their life’s work. When the pandemic put the Infectious Diseases Society of America in the public eye, Stephen Peeler, CFRE, was determined to use that opportunity to gain support for the life-saving cause […]
Grow Your Team’s Skills, But Don’t Forget Yourself
Smart CEOs understand that the quickest path to success is the one where the team travels with you. Skill-building across the organization isn’t just good leadership, it’s good for leaders. Professional development is a wise use of resources. Just be sure to make yourself part of the group. Your own growth shouldn’t be stunted because […]
Taking It Down to the Studs—Simplicity Streamlines AAHA’s Road to Excellence
“A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” -Antoine de Saint-Exupéry What do Spotify, Robinhood, and HelloFresh have in common? Here’s a clue. The word “easy” has pride of place throughout all their promotional materials. These companies save […]
Send Culture to the Door When Trouble Comes to Call
I frequently write the words digital and success in the same sentence. Technology is important. A weak infrastructure at the beginning of 2020 meant it was a very hard year. As much as I value electronic connectivity, culture or the human side of business will always be the imperative. We may never experience another global […]
10 Traits of an Innovation Mindset for Your Association
Associations can’t fulfill their missions without innovation. Innovation helps organizations create and improve processes, products, services, and experiences for their members, customers, staff, and audiences. Technology helps us turn innovative ideas into reality, but innovation is powered by organizational cultures that support and nurture an innovation mindset. 10 elements of the innovation mindset to nurture […]