Lead From the Human Side of Technology

Once upon a time, the title of the lead technology wizard didn’t necessarily begin with a C. The IT department didn’t always have a spot at the leadership table. They were regarded a little like sorcerers hanging out in the shadows creating marvels with tools that weren’t well understood by the rest of the […]
Are AI and EI an Odd Couple? Nope, Pairing Bytes With Behavior Is a Perfect Match
During 2023, I’ve written extensively about all things tech, from digital transformation to MarCom strategies, and more recently AI. No matter what topic I choose, one idea persists. These electronic miracles are pointless unless they are grounded in strong values, positive emotions, and productive behavior. Human drivers center digital initiatives where they need to be—on […]
AI, Automation, and New Tech Put Member Love Online

Every member experience with your brand is a plus or a minus. There is no neutral. If the interaction doesn’t register as positive, you’ve earned a negative due to a missed opportunity. No matter how much marketing techniques evolve, that equation doesn’t change. As you investigate strategies to incorporate AI and other new technology into […]
Leadership’s Biggest Perk—Giving Others a Boost

Scoring a big strategic win is exciting. Although there may be many others involved, the person in charge becomes the face of success. That’s one of the perks of leadership. Helping others to rise can be even more rewarding. Encouraging a colleague to shoot for that sought-after certification, offering advice on an important project, or […]
Stay Ahead of AI’s Magic

AI has that magic quality that tempts us to imagine powers even greater than its already impressive abilities. Like the whale that becomes Moby Dick or an ape that prompts sightings of the Yeti. The leap from reality to make-believe is easy. And the difference between truth and speculation can be difficult to see. I […]
A Feast of Knowledge—Solutions Day, Part Two
It was a treat to visit with so many of you at .orgCommunity’s Solutions Day. The event, which was held on November 2 at the American Society of Anesthesiologists, was another sort of feast. Thought leaders from across the community brought their expertise to the table. In Last week’s post, I highlighted our headliners. […]
Decoding the Future—Solutions Day 2023 Recap

Before business disruptors like Uber, Netflix, and Airbnb made us start changing habits as casually as we update our wardrobes, the future seemed distant but knowable. The exponential growth of technology erased that familiarity. Identifying the tools and skills you’ll need to keep your organization strong can seem like cracking a code invented by some […]
Weave a Safety Net—Find the Right Strategic Partners

The pandemic was a wormhole. It hurtled us into the future with no time to prepare for that demanding new reality. I am still evaluating the lessons learned. One message that rings loud and clear is the importance of connections. Isolation taught us the value of the relationships and the technology that sustained our communities. […]
For Positive Outcomes, Hold a Mirror Up to Board Performance

Even with a friendly name like “feedback, check-in, or coaching,” a performance evaluation can be uncomfortable, or possibly downright scary. It’s not surprising if volunteers are reluctant to scrutinize themselves in the mirror. That’s probably why more organizations don’t have a process for evaluating the board of directors, or if they do, that assessment is […]
Solutions Day 2023—Beyond Answers to Insight

Even when you love your job, without the right support, it’s easy to experience symptoms of leadership fatigue like these. Save the Date Register for .orgCommunity’s Solutions Day. Don’t wait. To refresh and reset, save November 2 on your calendar. Solutions Day is the perfect antidote to leadership fatigue. You can participate in person […]
Spark Engagement, Inspire Loyalty, Upskill to Association 4.0 Board Leadership

Where does your association fall on the scale from nerd to influencer? Could your brand use a Big Gulp of buzz? We all want more of the excitement that attracts followers and gets accomplishments noticed. Associations are defined by their members. And the people who have the biggest impact on that identity are the board […]
Digital Evolution—Three Trends to Watch

Is digital transformation dead? Well, for the majority of organizations, the transformation is over. They may not all have become butterflies, but most have acquired wings of some kind. Today, we are looking at evolution. At this point, any group missing the digital gene is probably extinct. The focus has gone beyond whether or not […]
Good CEO, Bad Call—How to Recover
Martha Stewart took her company public in 1999 and became America’s first self-made female billionaire. Then, in December 2021, she acted on an illegal stock tip and was sentenced to five months in prison. You probably won’t become a billionaire and I don’t see any of my readers going to jail, but there is one […]
Build a Marketing Dream Team—Welcome AI

Oh, those pesky keywords. For communicators who would rather write sentences than algorithms, finding the phrases that will viralize your posts seems like a New York Times word game gone wrong. Good news! You don’t have to wake up at four a.m. weighing the merits of “member satisfaction” versus “satisfying member customers.” AI, your new […]
Step Up to AI, But Tread Lightly

Ode to Association Marketing Professionals By ChatGPT In marketing’s realm, an executive ponders, seeking AI’s power, new pathways to wander. With data-driven insights, campaigns take flight, Association marketing soars to new heights. AI analyzes trends, revealing new ways, unveiling patterns, unlocking marketing’s maze. Personalization thrives, engagement’s secured, executives empowered, strategies assured. Influencers are found, partnerships […]