The "B" of Marketing: BUZZ
"Product," "Price," "Place," "Promotion" — the "Ps" of marketing are well-known to students of "Marketing 101." But what about the "B" of marketing? Things and organizations that have it are the things you must have and the organizations you must join. They are the fast rising stars. They are where the smart money can be found. I’m talking about the "B" of marketing. By "B" I of course mean "buzz."

[More]

The Globalization Dilemma
Those who have the insight and ability to sift through the cacophony of day-to-day living and focus on such history-making developments are the sages of our time. If they happen to be association managers, they also are likely to be the ones whose organizations will be best positioned to thrive in the years to come.

[More]

Association Management at the Speed of Thought
Nearly every association these days has a web site and many employ e-commerce applications to streamline conference registration, purchases and information requests. But the greatest benefit of the Internet for many organizations is yet to come, via a new generation of Internet-enabled integrated technology that transforms traditional communications and business processes.

[More]

Managing in a Global Era
One of the most interesting things about the globalization trends that are shaping every aspect of our economy, society, and culture is how they defy structure. This elusiveness of globalization is sure to have a revolutionary impact on the government and management structures that have served us relatively well for the past several hundred years. But with communication and commercial exchanges now happening at the speed of light, how can these antiquated concepts of command and control ever hope to keep up?

[More]

Associations as Investments
Gone are the days in which individuals or companies joined associations for the often intangible benefits of "membership." Today, association membership is often evaluated as an "investment."

[More]

A New Respect for HR
Not too many years ago managers could put want ads in the newspapers and be overwhelmed with job applicants. Now, over the past eighteen months, virtually every membership needs assessment survey our firm has conducted for trade associations has found that one of the top needs of their members -- regardless of industry sector -- is in attracting and keeping employees.

[More]

Partnering with For-Profits: Homestore.com
In today’s rapidly changing economic setting — where the boundaries between companies, associations, and foundations are ever more difficult to discern — it helps to know the "backstory." A perfect example is the connection between Homestore.com, Inc. and its primary partner, the National Association of Realtors, and other strategic partners, including the National Association of Home Builders, the Manufactured Housing Institute, and the American Institute of Architects.

[More]

What Is Fair in a Global Democratic Governance Structure
In a U.S.-focused -- or any single-country-focused -- organization,  governance issues usually can be avoided or worked out through rapid, targeted communication and, if necessary, face-to-face meetings. But in international or global organizations -- where there are language, cultural, and legal differences, as well as difficulties caused by national pride and simple logistics -- such problems are both more common and more difficult to resolve.

[More]

Volunteering in the 21st Century
A pattern has emerged over the past few years where association after association has discovered its level of volunteer participation has dropped off. This pattern in fact represents a worldwide trend. It is the price nonprofits are paying for the increasingly productive and competitive global economy in which we are living.

[More]

The Keys to Motivating Your Volunteers
All of us want to feel productive and satisfied with the efforts we put forth -- whether it's for our own jobs or tasks we take on for our professional, charitable or civic organizations, and it is important to understand these motivations.

[More]

Volunteering Enriches Member's Lives
Many busy executives who are searching for a better balance in work and life activities enrich their lives through volunteerism. They value activities that are well-organized, mission specific, offer training, and provide flexible scheduling to match busy lifestyles. In helping others they find new ways in which to apply their personal strengths, test their skills, expand learning, and sometimes discover new career opportunities while making a better world for others.

[More]

Selling Skills Will Excite Volunteers
Anyone in association development and operation must have selling skills. The same skills that make a successful salesperson will also lead to successful association operations as well as attracting enthusiastic volunteers.

[More]

The Invasion of e
You survived Y2K, but will you survive the invasion of e? There’s no escaping it. When and how e-commerce invades your business is the big question. As e-commerce turns traditional business on its ear, the only way to survive the invasion is to beat e-commerce at its own game. Get ready for e — the ‘letter of the decade.’ Electronic commerce is upon us. Like the .com companies of today, tomorrow will bring the e-coms and e-tailers. 

[More]