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Structural systems and processes to sustain an association

William D. Pawlucy Association Management

Every association has a framework. A solid and well-built framework promotes sustainability and a strong structure. The following are the key structural systems and processes for performance excellence. If one is missing, the organization is not “firing on all cylinders,” and will need a tune up. We will explore each of these areas one by one and the essential items in each area that should be in place to run at peak performance. These areas are governing documents; strategic direction; performance measures; protocols and behaviors; committees and task forces; and financial oversight.

How to resurrect a church website

Mark MacDonald Religious Community

Easter's here and spring is hopefully taking hold near you. New life is everywhere (especially as we emphasize the Gospel). Now, it's time to resurrect your church's website. Please! If you created your website (and it still looks similar) more than three years ago, it's dying. And if you're not updating your website content weekly, it's certainly feeling dead. Unfortunately, your congregation (and community) don't like visiting the information grave. Here are four ways to resurrect your website, make it new, and something worth celebrating!

You don’t bring me flowers anymore: When customers turn on you

Anne Rose Business Management, Services & Risk Management

One day you’re walking on water, the best thing since sliced bread, you can do no wrong, and your customer is going to tell all their friends how wonderful your product and service are. And the next day, wham, suddenly you’re a pariah, a nobody, the worst ever, and they’re going to report you to the authorities to have your licenses revoked, have you thrown in jail, and bashed on any social media that exists. What happened? Did you change overnight? Did the other person change overnight? Did the circumstances surrounding your relationship change overnight?

How to turn your brand into a phrase that pays

Fred Berns Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Branding has become big business among interior design professionals as they strive to get heard above the noise and stand out in an increasingly crowded marketplace. There are nearly as many interior design "brands" out there as there are interior designers, but the most effective of these — the ones that create the most buzz and attract the most business — have one word in common: "Only." Nothing differentiates your design firm more dramatically and spells out your specialness more effectively than that word.

How to encourage your ELLs

Douglas Magrath Education

The success of students in acquiring a new language is related to the learning environment. As I wrote last June, in addition to classes and activities, the overall learning environment is a factor in retention and student progress. Students need to feel like participants in the program rather than just observers. Each student needs to be more than just a number. Giving encouragement and avoiding hurtful comments go a long way in keeping students on track in their ESL program. As teachers, we can lower the affective filter for our ELL students by making them feel safe, welcome, and comfortable in our classrooms.

AI? Automation? How to use tech to improve marketing

Emma Fitzpatrick Marketing

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the power to change everything. But only 18% of B2B marketers and sales professionals are currently using it, found a 2019 DemandBase survey. Of those with access, over 40% said AI is the most important investment to achieve better sales and marketing performance. Nearly 33% went so far to say that it’s revolutionizing their marketing and sales performance. But most marketers (55%) don’t have the budget to invest in AI. Yet, you can likely use marketing automation tools to accomplish much of the same.

Your personal brand: You are who people think you are

Hank Boyer Business Management, Services & Risk Management

It happens every single time someone sees you, your name, or hears your voice. It is inescapable, and it plays a significant role in how people respond to you. For example, it's about 3 p.m. and your smartphone buzzes, so you look at your phone to see who is calling you. In an instant, you recognize co-worker Larry LeGarrett’s phone number and wham! — you brand him before you decide what you are going to do with the call. Whether you answer or let it go to voicemail depends largely on how you feel about the Larry LeGarrett brand.

Pediatricians key for critical early intervention in speech, language impairments

Sheilamary Koch Medical & Allied Healthcare

School and social successes hinge more on language ability than any other factor for the vast majority of children. Pediatricians and family doctors who have regular contact with infants and their parents are uniquely positioned to help identify young children who demonstrate delayed development within the speech, language and hearing realm. A quick referral to a corresponding specialist for evaluation can make the difference between these infants and toddlers experiencing years of struggle and having the tools to navigate the normal challenges of childhood.

5 fresh ways to reduce consumer risk aversion

Lisa Mulcahy Marketing

As a marketer, your one of your goals is to keep your demographic as reassured as possible about parting with their hard-earned cash when choosing your brand's product. Yet, consumers can be risk-adverse about spending in surprising ways. Cutting-edge research has been looking into the phenomenon of unusual reason for risk aversion. The good news is you can use these findings to make what your brand offers more appealing to your target demographic. Use the following strategies to obtain great results!

The employee who cried wolf

Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk Management

What do we do when a whiny employee keeps whining? If we cannot move them to another department, we tend to try our best to "yes" them out of our office, ignore them or delay responding in the hopes they will go away. In many cases, while the employee may continue to be annoying, taking one of these approaches is often sufficient. However, if a legitimate issue does arise, the pattern of not addressing earlier problems can come back to bite us. Here are a couple of ways to rethink the approach to the employee crying wolf in case a wolf does actually show up.

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