Faced With Challenge, ENA Delivers Value
To say that emergency nurses must be ready for anything is an understatement. This is a profession that routinely prepares for the unexpected. As CEO of the Emergency Nurses Association, Nancy MacRae knows how to be sure-footed in a volatile environment. She and her team keep their balance by adapting to change and delivering value. […]
The Mechanics of Innovation
Mike Moss isn’t a mechanic, but he and his team spent the last year tinkering in a garage. They weren’t taking engines apart and rebuilding them. But the work they did paid off big time. Moss is president of the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP). What he refers to as “tinkering in the […]
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 […]
When the Team Travels to the Future and the Board Lags Behind—How Do You Develop Leaders for the Digital Era?
What happens when your team drives the DeLorean Back to the Future and the board isn’t along for the ride? The office might boast the latest technology with a staff that is ready and able to grow and change. But if the board is stifled by narrow perspectives and retro thinking, do those other pluses […]
A Publishing Strategy Makes Content Magic
What magic will– Define your association as the go-to source for education and career development? Engage members to click, like, share, download, purchase, and participate? Generate revenue, increase recognition, and build reputation? It’s a tall order, but no wands or capes are involved. A publishing strategy that unifies mission and messaging to deliver the […]
Maximize the Marriage of Marketing and Technology by Understanding Trends
When marketing got hitched to technology and changed its name to MarTech, their relationship caught fire. That marriage is making an indelible impact on the way associations operate and their ability to engage with members. The MarTech stack, or the digital platforms that professionals use to understand and reach their audiences, is changing so fast […]
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 […]
Be the Voice Your Members Want to Hear—A Content Strategy Makes It Happen
Siloed organizations used to be hard to manage; today, they are a real business liability. Success in the digital marketplace depends on a holistic approach—this is a mantra that I can’t repeat frequently enough. Systems, teams, and departments must all be directed toward common goals. If imposing this level of discipline seems daunting, a content […]
Strategy and Preparation Boost Your E-Learning IQ
Investing in a learning management system is no longer a choice. An LMS is much more than an enhancement to your website. It is essential equipment in a business environment that is challenging organizations to provide smarter, faster, and more engaging solutions for their customers than ever before. People look to the web as their […]
As the Pandemic Ends—The Need to Reinvent Grows
I found a relic of my former life when I was organizing my files. It was a presentation I created back in January 2020. The title was Association 4.0—Creating Community in a Less Social World. I planned to use the deck to launch a new series of in-person Think Tanks. The topic was going to […]
How To Eat an Elephant—Byte-Size Advice for Making Your Next Big Technology Purchase
What does a technology investment have in common with a woolly mammoth? You guessed it: They are both a big, hairy deal. Whether you’re looking for a small, mid-sized, or major system, a lot is riding on that purchase. The stakes are more about success than money. The goal of any technology platform is to […]
Turn Customers Into Community
How do you grow membership in a harsh climate? Attracting a wider audience and turning those customers into community is a good way to start. We’ve been on notice since well before the pandemic that shifts are occurring in why people join an association and what they want once they sign on. Going virtual has […]
Guarantee Your Success—Network Like Your Career Depends on It
What’s the single best thing you can do for your career? It doesn’t require special training, it’s never too late to get started, better still, it will return your investment of energy and effort many times over. With all those pluses, why isn’t building a strong network at the top of every leader’s list of […]
Hiring Without a Handshake—Get Virtual Interviewing Right
Every new hire is either an opportunity for success or a challenge to it. No recruit is neutral. If there are people on your team who don’t rock the boat, but never move it forward, that’s a drain on precious resources. Interviewing in a virtual environment adds a dimension to an already high stakes process. […]
Remote Work Is a Superpower—Learn How to Use It
I hate to see COVID-19 give remote work a bad rap. The ability to do business from anywhere gives you the superpower to slay disruption in its tracks. But only when you learn the rules. Over the last few months, more than a few people feel as though work sabotaged their lives. The office abruptly […]