All living systems, including associations, go through five predictable life cycles: Birth Growth (formation, adolescence) Maturity Decline Death Healthy systems work to avoid decline and eventual death by using the wisdom and calm of maturity to plan a rebirth. Unhealthy systems avoid change as long as possible, often to their own demise. Leadership often needs … [Read more…]
Associations are complex systems. Many players–board members, members, sponsors, staff, volunteer leadership–shape its up and down seasons. A jumble of external and internal factors affects the association as well. The Life Cycle Of Associations All living systems, including associations, go through predictable life cycles: Birth Growth (formation, adolescence) Maturity Decline Death Healthy systems work to … [Read more…]
In the next 20 years, six dramatic technology trends will influence our connected world. We are already watching how these forces are shaping modern web culture. Kevin Kelly, co-founder and senior maverick of Wired Magazine, identified these six trends in his opening keynote at the 2011 Web 2.0 Conference. His reflections give us a window … [Read more…]
Nonprofit associations: institutionalized organizations or living, dynamic organisms? Which view do you embrace? The Human Factors Associations are not buildings. They are not organizational charts. They are more than institutions governed by sets of rules, processes and formalities. I believe that associations are living organisms…when we allow them to be so. Associations are groups of … [Read more…]
Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love. ~ Albert Einstein Gravitational attraction can draw others to you like a magnetic force. Irresistible Gravitational Attraction Attraction. Advertisers sell it. Companies market it. Media flaunts it. We all want it. We try to get it. We all have difficulty creating and maintaining it. Let’s … [Read more…]
Is your organization prepared for increasingly chaotic work environments in the next ten years? The lines between work and non-work have already frayed and will continue to unravel. Gartner, Inc. predicts that the world of work will witness ten key changes through 2020. 6 Key Changes Shaping The World Of Work Here are six of … [Read more…]
We are living in a period where we are straddling two different society cultures and economies. We are transitioning from a push economy to a pull economy. From Hierarchical To Networked-Based Today’s participatory networked culture has changed business and organizations from a push approach (hierarchical, from the center out to others), to a pull approach … [Read more…]
Collaboration and stakeholders. Two words that strike fear in many association executive hearts. Yet, most associations were built on the foundation of involving all members, giving all members a voice and a vote, and allowing all stakeholders an opportunity to collaborate. Seven Stakeholder Association Principles For 21st Century Success Here are seven stakeholder association principles … [Read more…]
TTWWADI (pronounced Twadee). “That’s the way we’ve always done it!” It’s probably the number one excuse used by association professionals to keep programs, services and processes average or status quo. It is heard in association board rooms and offices around the world. It is a major symptom of complacency that can eventually lead to collapse. … [Read more…]
Here is the PowerPoint that Dave and I developed for a nonprofit association strategic planning session recently. You’ll notice three overarching mega trends and 15 trends overall. Association trends2010final View more presentations from Jeff Hurt. What trends would you add to this PowerPoint presentation? What’s your experience with some of these trends?
