Change is no longer an event that happens once in a blue moon. It is the pace of today’s business. It is the drumbeat of the 21st Century. The change that we currently see around us might one day be viewed as similar to what happened after the invention of the printing press or the … [Read more…]
Every conference experiences change. Well, at least is should experience some change. Especially if it’s a healthy and growing conference. Yet some conference organizers—those that keep their finger on the intersection of society, their profession and their customers’ industry—sense that they are in the midst of radical change. It’s the kind that only happens every … [Read more…]
We frequently avoid change. We take comfort in doing the same thing over and over again. It feels safe. When it comes to making changes to a conference or association service, we opt to do what we’ve done in the past. It’s easier. We know the outcome. We believe it’s less risky than changing. Putting … [Read more…]
That won’t work for us because we are different than everyone else. We’ve always done it this way. We don’t need to change. We’ve tried that in the past and it failed. These are just a few of the traditional thinking excuses we face every day. Whether we are trying to create a new conference … [Read more…]
Those born on or after 1962 have witnessed three major culture shifts. These shifts set them apart from older generations. It also creates new challenges for those trying to create conference experiences for multiple generations. Everyone’s expectations are different. Three Major Society Shifts Since 1962 Conference organizers need to acknowledge that the needs of their … [Read more…]
Imagine the following conversation. Eeeeghads! Our organization will fade away in 10-15 years if we don’t start reaching a younger generation. Our membership is mostly Baby Boomers. Most will retire in 15 years. We’re not sure if they will retain membership with us or not. We’ve got to attract more GenX and Millennials. What do … [Read more…]
These Gartner predictions highlight the trends and disruptive events that will reshape the nature of business for the next four years. They focus on changes in the role that technology plays in business performance, our personal and professional lives, and in the global economy. Gartner evaluated more than 100 predictions based on audience appeal, impact … [Read more…]
2 x 4 is half of 16! All for opportunity do the lean-a-lean! A lean-a-lean a-lean-a-lean, a-lean-a-lean. A lean-a-lean a-lean-a-lean, a- lean-a-lean. Do you remember that school cheer? I can remember my high school standing and “doing the lean” to show our support for our team. So leader, how do you lean? Are seen as … [Read more…]
To paraphrase cognitive scientist and author Cathy Davidson: Our nonprofit institutions, for the most part trade and professional associations as well as professional societies, are acting as if the world has not suddenly, irrevocably, cataclysmically, epistemically changed. Learning Is Changing Learning is changing. Anyone. Any time. Anywhere. By the end of 2011, 2 billion people … [Read more…]
I understand what is going on in most annual conference committees: personal agendas, conference schedule deadlines, speaker favorites, leaders seeking control, volunteers posturing for their own ideas and power. What I struggle to comprehend is what isn’t going on. What Isn’t Happening It seems to me that annual conference committee volunteers should be serving the … [Read more…]
