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Form follows function: Association structure and strategy
Robert C. Harris Association Management"Form follows function" is a principle associated with architecture. The shape of a building or object should be based upon its intended function or purpose. In other words, the way something looks should be determined by its purpose. This idea can easily be applied to associations.
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10 skill sets to look for in your next executive director
William D. Pawlucy Association ManagementLosing your executive director is not only possible but will happen sometime in the future. To be ready for succession, the board should know what skill sets and characteristics they value in an executive director.
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Webinar recap: 20 reasons why you shouldn’t invest a penny in social…
MultiView Association ManagementToo often, associations (and their members) jump on the social media bandwagon, only to find out that it is a waste of time, and that viral, community, engagement and ROI are buzzwords at best. Find out why diving into social media may be the worst marketing decision you ever make.
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Behind the wall: Should associations lock up their content?
Shawn Smajstrla Association ManagementThe pace and innovation of technological advancement has many industries trying desperately to see into the future while navigating an ever-changing present. Not insulated from that are associations and trade groups. In fact, like some organizations (e.g. Kodak, Blockbuster), the digital information age is bringing into question the very raison d’etat for associations.
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The biggest mistake any nonprofit should avoid in 2016
William D. Pawlucy Association ManagementA Harvard Business article lists the 17 fundamental traits of organizational effectiveness. The first and most poignant one is that "everyone [in your organization] has a good idea of the decisions and actions for which he or she is responsible." It seems pretty basic, right? Do you have a "good idea" of the decision and actions each person in your organization is responsible for, including the board of directors? If not, the strategic road map for the organization is lacking.
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Performance metrics that matter in major gifts
Craig Shelley Association ManagementFundraisers, and particularly major gift fundraisers, do the impossible every day. I recently tried to describe to my 6-year-old son what I did for a living, and the best I could come up with was, "I convince people to give their money away to help people they don't know and in most cases will never meet."
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Leadership: The key to running any successful business
Jill Nesbitt Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementThe Global Leadership Summit is a two-day speaker series on leadership sponsored by Willow Creek Association. The original Willow Creek church is based in Chicago, and it has grown under the leadership of Bill Hybels to support hundreds of local churches across the world. The Summit is telecast through 300 member churches and seen by 260,000 people.
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What is wrong with my board?
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementI asked a dozen association and chamber executives, "What's wrong with your board?" and each had a story to share. The group offered frank examples of what's wrong in hopes of improving board performance. The list of their examples below is categorized by leadership selection, governance structure and board behavior.
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How to leave a great first impression
Kelly Sharp Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementHave you ever met someone and couldn't tell whether that person liked you? Or had a conversation at a networking event that left you unsure of whether it was successful? According to a study, it takes 100 milliseconds to sniff out an individual's personality traits. Anything said or displayed afterwards either fans the flames or resuscitates the opportunity.
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Use the 3 P’s to ensure your new president is ready to lead
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementIs the incoming chief elected officer — aka president or chairman of the board — ready for the job? Transitioning from VP or president-elect to the office of the president requires preparation. He or she assumes responsibility for advancing the mission, serving the members, protecting the assets, solving the problems, addressing the media and inspiring the leadership, among other duties. The more one prepares, the better the results.
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