So you want a more engaging organization? Design one
Professor Don Norman, the director of the Design Lab at the University of California, has a fascinating Ted Talk in which he argues that “pleasant things work better.” Being positively affected by the design of an object triggers your creative thinking, which in turn helps the object’s usability; you are in a better position to […]
How do you measure meeting success?
Back in October 2015, I wrote an article on the seven purposes of a meeting. I argued, with the cost and effort for any meeting to be organized, it behooves us as professional planners to ensure the purposes behind bringing people together to remain at the forefront of all we do. I had an opportunity […]
Are we ready for the robots?
People. As members, as staff, as experts, as consultants and as communities, associations need people. And people – as members, as staff, as experts, as consultants and as communities – need associations. As we move into a future when the position of many working people is unknown and unstable, what are the repercussions for associations, […]
On the hunt for creative and enterprising people
We are looking to bring brilliant minds together to plan the biggest online event for association professionals to date. AssociationSuccess.org is hosting a virtual summit called Surge 2017 on Nov. 7th – 9th, where we will assemble thousands of association professionals under one virtual roof. Consisting of sessions and live Q&As to provoke forward-thinking discussions, the […]
Overheard at MMC: A collection of offstage insights
We all go to conferences hungry for something: hungry for knowledge and information, for rekindling old connections and forging new ones, or perhaps for what’s on offer at the midday buffet. I often find the aspect of conference-going I most relish comes neither from the session hall nor the lunch menu, but from the hundreds […]
Do you suffer from a fixed mindset?
Do you have a fixed mindset in terms of your abilities? It may very well be hindering your growth as a person. Here’s a handy illustration we put together that walks you through a fixed and a growth mindset. If you prefer the written word, find it below! Praise is something that all of us […]
3 exercises to think more strategically
Everywhere one could possibly leave themselves a note, I have a to-do list written. I use Word Documents, sticky notes and even sometimes the front of my palm, to iterate the tasks I intend to accomplish. Can you relate to this? Are you constantly operating off of such a list? “A Lapsed Anarchist’s Guide to […]
An AI experiment: How does X.ai work?
Artificial intelligence technology is EXPLODING! I read articles every day about how computers can “think” more and more. They can analyze your photos, interpret your conversations, learn from your habits, predict your needs and much more. It’s creepy, yes. But it’s helpful. And, like it or not, it’s coming. Fast. This week I put an AI provider […]
Information overload: Sipping from a fire hydrant
How do I stop the insanity? Monthly, I get about 60 trade magazines mailed to my office. Daily, I receive about 10 electronic newsletters to my inbox. And, via social electronic networking — between Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter — I’m bombarded hourly. How about you? Are you finding it hard to decide where to dedicate […]
Is your job a little too easy? Here’s a challenge
If you can do your job with your eyes closed, then chances are you aren’t getting a lot of satisfaction from your day-to-day. Here’s a challenge to kick it up a notch. Watch the video here, or check out the transcript below. Today I was at the gym lifting weights in total autopilot mode. My mind […]