-
9 simple tips to become a powerful presenter
Shiv Khera Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementGood public speaking and powerful presentation skills are essential tools for effective persuasion. Persuasion skills are the ability to influence, convince, negotiate and sell — something all of us will need at some point during our lifetime. And I'll bet that most of have been in situations where we've had to say a few words in public but got cold feet.
-
Information is the new golden handcuff
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementThere was a time when members joined for access to benefits such as health insurance, long-term disability or workers' compensation. For numerous reasons, such programs have faded or are no longer the domain of associations and chambers.
-
The board’s role in asset protection
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementIn a meeting of the components of a national association, odds are good you will hear the whispers, "Did you know about the embezzlement at XYZ association?"
-
3 levels of successful cooperation
Sue Dyer Construction & Building MaterialsA growing trend in business is co-opetition. Co-opetition is a buzzword coined to describe cooperative competition (several people take credit for creating the word). Cartels and trade associations are well-known examples where companies work together despite the fact that they are fierce competitors.
-
10 biggest myths at the board table
William D. Pawlucy and Robert C. Harris Association ManagementHave you heard the one where a guy gave away his entire board packet? When the executive director asked why, he replied, "Because in a nonprofit our files are available upon anyone's request."
-
Building the perfect board
Robert C. Harris Association Management"The Perfect Storm" is a 2000 movie about an unusually intense weather pattern that catches some commercial fishermen unaware and puts them in mortal danger.
-
Plastering the mission statement
William D. Pawlucy and Robert C. Harris Association ManagementMission statements — we've seen them used in nearly every format. They appear on pop-up banners next to a registration desk, painted on office walls or recited at the start of a board meeting.
-
Judging the culture of an organization
Robert C. Harris Association Management"I'm eager to contribute time to a board or committee, but first I want to know about the culture of the organization. How will I decide if it's a good fit?" This was a question from a willing volunteer in a class of emerging leaders.
-
Information digestion: Prepare the board without overloading them
William D. Pawlucy Association Management"Help! My board wants a big packet of information prior to a board meeting. But they don't read it, and the next-generation board members hate it!" said one executive director who puts together a 300-page packet for each board meeting. "How do you know?" I pushed back.
-
SWOTs suck — How can we improve them?
Robert C. Harris Association Management"SWOTs suck!" That's a direct quote from an association executive in a class discussing strategic planning. I may have agreed, probably smiled, but I would not have said it quite like that. SWOT is a euphemism for a process to analyze the environment affecting an organization. The acronym stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Its purpose is to examine the current situation of an organization by considering internal and external factors. An environmental scan supports better decision-making.
All Association Management Articles