The association business model: It’s time for a massive overhaul
Most associations professionals would agree that meeting member needs is at the heart of every decision made. Yet over the last 40 years, most professional associations have been adopting a product-line business model. In addition to membership, we create and try to sell access to products like newsletters/publications, research, online education, meetings and conventions, certifications, […]
BETTER MEMBER RETENTION FROM FRICTIONLESS EXPERIENCES DESIGNED FOR YOUR ASSOCIATION
In the age of infinite choice, organizations can not afford to make the purchase experience difficult. And so we see one-click online ordering, retail stores with no checkout lines, curbside pick up, and more. All of these changes, which would be unheard of just a decade ago, seek to make the consumer experience easier. Frictionless. Grocery […]
WEIGHING THE RETURN ON NOT INVESTING
A while ago, while keynoting a conference on using data and new technology, and there was one particular person in the audience who was full of questions. This person was asking about the Return on Investment (ROI) on this, that, and the other. At a certain point, I got off the stage, walked up to this […]
A CEO’s wish list for association staff
An organization is only as good as its people. This is also true for associations, who not only employ staff, but also attract volunteers to promote its work and advocacies. As a chief executive of an association, I embody the aspirations of my staff and volunteers. I label these aspirations through an acronym, “IF U CARE”, […]
Reinventing Association Governance
As the sun came up on our last day at the Mayan Dude Ranch, my mind was spinning. Circling around something. Tightening in like our trick roper’s lasso the previous night. No doubt, this all had a little to do with the potent smell of cowboy coffee, horse hair, and last night’s bourbon in my nostrils […]
HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT: ADVOCACY AS A KEY DRIVER OF MEMBER VALUE
For years, technology has been disrupting the traditional portfolio of association member-value offerings. Long gone are the days when associations were a one-stop shop for all their members’ needs, from information and education to discounted products and services. That’s why associations large and small are spending countless hours (and dollars!) these days searching for the next […]
On becoming the Netflix of associations
What does it mean to build a purpose-driven organizational structure? I don’t mean just aligning various departmental visions, or stamping down silos that might be blotting out communication in your existing organizational hierarchy. I mean actually creating a structure that is, from every angle, purpose-driven. Answering this question has been an integral part of a […]
THE MANY PATHS OF LEARNING TOWARDS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
I experienced an “aha!” moment when I attended one of my first association conferences. I had been a casual Twitter user – a lurker mainly who would scan streams for interesting insights. At this conference, my approach shifted, as instead of taking notes by hand, which I rarely went back to, I started tweeting about what […]
HOW TO BE A NOTICER: ORIENTING LEARNING TOWARDS THE FUTURE
Is the learning you offer future focused? If you start changing your learning programs once you discover a new direction or need in your industry, it’s likely too late. It takes months or years to retool things like learning design, pathways and marketing. We need to find out what’s going to happen in our industry next […]
BOOK OF THE MONTH – MARCH 2019
Editor’s note: Every month, we interview a different author who has valuable insights that are relevant to professionals within the association industry. From widely varying perspectives and specializations, we hope to provide our dedicated audience with quality reading to continue fostering growth and inspiration! THE NON-OBVIOUS GUIDE TO EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT (FOR MILLENNIALS, BOOMERS AND EVERYONE […]