VCs and the Association Challenge
Word Count 453 – 3 Minute Read The Association Community is facing a significant challenge from the private sector. As one of my fellow consultants has reminded me, this isn’t new, but in these disruptive times, it is more present. Venture capitalists (VCs) can harm the association community in several ways, primarily due to their […]
2025 – Associations focusing on a BANI worldview
Often, individuals and organizations resolve to achieve a group of goals or resolutions at the beginning of the new year. Most of these go unfulfilled or look lovely in a memo to staff, friends, and the board. Rather than make a series of resolutions for the new year, let’s commit to one of the fundamental […]
Associations and the new Administration in a BANI world
Word count – 404 / 2 Minute Read The term “BANI” refers to a conceptual framework that describes the current state of the world as Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, and Incomprehensible. This framework can help associations and organizations navigate the complexities of the 21st Century, especially in the context of significant political changes such as the […]
Reading, Travel, and Meaning-Making: Unlocking Strategic Insights for Associations
Word Count – 531 – 3 ½ Minute Read Today’s environment requires association leaders to cultivate a mindset that embraces complexity, fosters innovation, and drives forward-thinking strategies. Research shows that reading, travel, and meaning-making are powerful tools for achieving these goals. Julia Sloan’s insights in Learning to Think Strategically provide a valuable framework for understanding […]
From Local to Global: Adapting Associations for the 21st Century
Word count – 552 / 3 ½ Minute Read In the 20th Century, associations thrived by addressing local or national challenges. Their missions were often grounded in regional needs, reflecting the realities of an era dominated by nation-state boundaries and localized economies. While this focus was sufficient for the time, the 21st Century demands a […]
Unlocking Innovation in Associations – Insights from Zaninelli and Diefenbacher
Innovation is a buzzword in the association world, yet creating sustainable, impactful innovation remains elusive for many organizations. In their contribution to the book How to Create Innovation, Susanne M. Zaninelli and Stefan F. Diefenbacher provide a roadmap for moving beyond traditional approaches to innovation, highlighting strategies that resonate deeply with associations striving to find […]
Celebrating Veterans Day: Honoring Our Heroes in Association Work
As we approach Veterans Day, it’s a poignant time to reflect on the sacrifices and contributions of our veterans. These brave individuals have dedicated their lives to serving our country, and we must honor their commitment not just on this day but throughout the year. Associations play a crucial role in this celebration, and there […]
From Linear Planning to Scenario-Based Forecasting: A Necessary Shift for 21st-Century Associations
For decades, associations operated where predictability and stability were the norm. This environment fostered a linear approach to planning, rooted in the belief that historical data provided a reliable roadmap for the future. But as we’ve transitioned into the 21st Century, associations face unprecedented complexity and uncertainty. In this new era, traditional planning methods no […]
Lifelong Employment and Career Stability
Over the following weeks, this blog will explore the changing environment between 20th-century traditions, orthodoxies, and 21st-century realities. This week, we will consider Lifelong Employment and Career Stability. The employment landscape has significantly transformed from the 20th to the 21st century. This shift from lifelong employment and career stability to more fluid and non-linear career […]
Hierarchical to Networked Structures
Adapting for Success in the 21st-Century Association Landscape In the 20th century, most associations operated with a traditional, hierarchical structure, where decisions were made from the top down and followed a linear chain of command. But in the fast-paced, interconnected world of the 21st century, this model often proves too slow and rigid. Today, associations […]