Have you seen the newest installment in the Star Wars saga: Episode VII “The Force Awakens?” I admit I’m something of a Star Wars fan. Just take a look at my Facebook page and you’ll see. One of the major themes in the Star Wars films is light versus dark, good versus evil. That same … [Read more…]
We’re excited to welcome Bill MacDonald, Vice President, Analysis & Insights to the Velvet Chainsaw Consulting team starting November 2, 2015. VCC will now a team member in Michigan. Having our roots in Ohio, Michigan is public enemy #1. I had to set aside my emotions on this choice and make the rational decision of … [Read more…]
Recently I saw the Goodyear Blimp circling a major Dallas freeway. It bounced up and down with the intensity of a bobble-head-frenzy. Several times it plunged nose-first in a new direction. It was clunky and off target—at least it looked like it was astray. It was also painfully slow.Some association governance structures have bloated into … [Read more…]
We spend the majority of our day in front of screens and media (digital, print & TV) says eMarketer. No wonder we are starved for face to face interactions! Your organization can help satisfy our cravings for community and connections by delivering conference experiences that foster connexity. Connexity is more than speed networking. It is … [Read more…]
Is your current structure stifling your mission? Do you have metaphorical tollbooths for your staff and volunteer leaders? Those tollbooths serve as permission-withholding stops and starts where every staff member and leader must get authorization and agreement to move an idea forward. Tollbooths are usually embedded in your organization’s governance structure—the bylaws, constitution, committees and … [Read more…]
It has come like a thunderbolt. A large boom followed by a blinding light. It’s as if we woke up from a long, long sleep. Some of our most esteemed and successful associations woke up and discovered that the world around them has drastically changed. And the change keeps on coming. Register now for this … [Read more…]
As adults, we are rather lazy learners. Much of what we hold as fact regarding learning is actually illusion. We waste a lot of effort, time and resources with common-sense accepted educational practices that are rooted in intuition, tradition and myth. The most effective learning strategies and education programming are counter-intuitive. We need to build … [Read more…]
We’re very blessed to have an incredible team here at VCC! But, today marks the final (official) day of one of our MVP’s, Donna Kastner. Donna is a go getter! Prior to joining us, she developed a business/community concept called Retirepreneur. (Pretty cool, right?) She’s leaving our company so that she can invest more of … [Read more…]
How can you unlock the grip of failure on your organization? “What?” you ask. “My organization is not operating at a loss or failing.” Oh, I beg to differ. If your organization strives to achieve status quo, a failure mentality has taken hold. Fear of failure and fear of change are probably your organization’s biggest … [Read more…]
In order to grow, your organization must change. Organizations that refuse to move become stagnate. They become trapped, treading water through a set of regular routines while getting nowhere. Without lasting change, organizations become dull, sluggish and deteriorate. They eventually die, sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly. Unfortunately, the majority of organizational change fails, misses the mark … [Read more…]
