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Dec
05

Belonging to an Association Could Make You Happier

Do members feel they belong to the association? Does their feeling of belonging equal the sense of belonging they feel when they go to a book club meeting? Is it like getting together with coworkers after work for a round of beers? Or do your members have a more transactional feeling about their membership? One that […]

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Dec
04

Six Steps Towards Lean Impact

Back in 2011, The Lean Startup by Eric Ries took the business world by storm with its vision of a more efficient and productive way of running start-ups. Now, many other industries have taken on the principles of the book to make similar advances in their field. Far from encouraging us to be cheap, the end goal is […]

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Nov
30

Alexandria Brown Bag: Listening in Action

The Alexandria Brown Bag, founded by Talisa Thomas-Hall, ACB ALB, is a networking group for association professionals hosted by Marketing General, Inc. in Alexandria, Virginia. Meeting monthly, their remit is to connect for the purpose of sharing best practices and professional development, as well as networking and collaboration opportunities. Talisa Thomas-Hall is President and Chief Strategist […]

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Nov
28

Insights into the Member Journey

Your members are on a journey with your association. Some are taking their first steps with you while others have reached the end of the line. Others are prospects and they’re deciding whether to hop on board. Having conversations with your members at various points in their journey can yield valuable insights into member acquisition, engagement […]

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Nov
27

A Guide to Effecting Change at Work

Innovation is not easy. Switching up working practices at associations that have existed for decades takes tenacity, especially if you have a relatively small sphere of influence. But we should never let complacency get in the way of progress. I believe you can influence change in your organization at any level if the environment is primed. […]

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Nov
23

Lean Methodology: Before and After

I first read The Lean Startup by Eric Ries in 2013. It was a lightbulb moment to see thoughts that had been percolating in my head over the years be articulated in such a way. Since then, I’ve been implementing the methodology with my team at the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) where I work […]

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Nov
21

Back to Basics: Membership Models

Associations exist for their membership. Every association has a unique way of working to make their members lives easier, and membership structures are the foundation upon which associations work. The question of how to build the best membership structure for an association can be daunting, as it suggests an overhaul of how we do things from […]

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Nov
20

Can only the C-suite lead change?

Call me optimistic, but I believe in the power of one. Inside each of us is the ability to influence, motivate and lead. If you want to be a change agent, you can be, no matter what your formal role at your association. Why do I believe this? Because I’ve done it. For over 13 […]

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Nov
16

The 1 question you should ask corporate partners

Corporate partnership: The term tends to invoke images of budgeting, sponsorship agreements and maintaining effective and productive partner benefits. But as a concept, partnership is more than that. It is about cooperation, shared connection and mutual interests. We can use this original meaning to direct and develop our partnership programs, and make sure we are […]

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Nov
14

How work with feedback

Picture the scene: After facing a problem at work, you have a brainwave of a solution to end all solutions. After a couple days of hashing out plans in your head and talking to a couple of close co-workers about it, you take the idea to your boss. They listen. Then they hit you with […]

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