COVID made us lab rats in a variety of unusual experiments. Remote work was one of those unsettling tests. it was also an experience that transformed the employment landscape. When Kevin Ordonez, my business partner, and I wrote our Association 4.0 books, a home office was still a glimmer in
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
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.
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
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
You’ve probably had a conversation with the bot twins, ChatGPT and Bard. Actually, they are triplets because Microsoft has a bot named Bing, who receives less attention. (Check Bing out. I like the fact that the source documents are always provided.) Maybe you’ve already experimented using generative AI to create
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.
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
These are the newsletters association executives read to stay current on trends, insights, and opportunities for their organizations. With an inbox chock-full of requests from your staff, solicitations from vendors, inquiries from sponsors, the media, and who knows who else, how do you stay up to date on trends and
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
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
The association industry has a reputation for clinging to traditions as stubbornly as Linus hugs his trademark blanket. As the home of organizations that draw on decades of history, it’s not surprising that we love the security of time-honored strategies. But, our community doesn’t get the credit it deserves for
Giving your association’s stories their 15 minutes of fame has never been easier. Video has an immediacy and impact that consistently outpaces other mediums. I’m glad to see so many organizations producing compelling content. Some professionals still think of video as a one-off initiative. In fact, it has the potential
Remember Management by Walking Around? A spontaneous cruise of the office was an effective strategy for evaluating a variety of business indicators. You could assess how people were communicating, determine where the vibe registered on the stress meter, and take the opportunity to connect personally with employees. Now that remote
One of social media’s powerful lessons is the impact of influencers on brand awareness. Whether it’s a van-lifer selling energy drinks or a dog groomer styling a cast of fluffy fur babies, real people using products in everyday life moves merch. So who exactly is an influencer? Is it anyone
