Tag: strategic thinking


The 21st Century Meeting Professional: Act Strategically, Think Both Functionally And Strategically

What’s the role of the 21st Century meeting and conference professional? In the past, the answer was easy. Perform very straight forward, transactional, functional tasks related to the logistics of conferences, meetings and events. S/He fulfilled the same types of tasks on a daily basis. When asked to make improvements, s/he focused on efficiency and … [Read more…]

Even More Buckaroo Breakaway Cadillac Conference Programming Trends – Part 2

Expect the unexpected…just as Buckaroo Banzai did in the 1980s movie of the same name. Buckaroo and his merry band of cavaliers were ready to save the world from whatever came their way. They would embrace the context of each dimension much like you need to embrace these current conference programming trends. While these trends … [Read more…]

Tactical Or Strategic: Which Best Describes Your Governing Nonprofit Board

Tactical board members are focused on the predictability of the past for today, the here and now, and getting through the year. Strategic board members think, prepare and act on challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Why? Because they care about the organization’s future. They know they can play an important role in creating their … [Read more…]

Avoid These Hazardous Conference Planning Thinkholes [Part 2]

Ever run your car over some severe potholes? It can do some major damage to your tires. And to your vehicle too. Potholes can be an expensive problem for both drivers and cities. Just like potholes, conference planning thinkholes can be an expensive problem for your event. They can create some major cavities and damage … [Read more…]

Common, Yet Hazardous, Conference Planning Thinkholes That Inhibit Uniqueness

Why do so many people rate the conference experience as stale, predictable and average at best? Why do conference leaders miss the mark at preparing their own unique DNA conference experience? Why do so many conference organizers miss the opportunity to create a matchless thumbprint on their event’s identity? We as conference organizers often have … [Read more…]

Four Stupendous Strategic Steps You Should Practice Regularly

One of the biggest challenges we face—especially nonprofit association and conference professionals–is spending adequate time thinking. For some reason, we believe that doing is better than thinking. When we do something, we seem to make progress. Well, at least that’s what we tell ourselves. When we think, there doesn’t seem to be any forward movement. … [Read more…]

Ten Ways Conference Professionals Can Gain Credibility And Increase Their Strategic Value

Are you looking to gain credibility? Do you want to climb the career ladder? Do you want to be seen by your executives as a leader who can add strategic value? Sure you do. And if you’re like most, you want to do this now. You don’t want to wait 10-20 years before people respect … [Read more…]

Conference Cloning: Principles Not Practices

Many of us do it. We seek the next great idea. We read lists of tips and tricks in search of one unique takeaway we can try at our event. We observe what other conferences are doing. We turn to the experts and others who have had success and ask them how they did it. … [Read more…]

Your Rigid Thinking May Block Conference Improvements

Did you learn how to ride a bicycle as a kid? We often say, “Well, it’s just like riding a bicycle. Once you learn how, you’ll never forget.” But what if you had to forget everything you learned about riding a bicycle? What if you had to unlearn and start over? Could you learn, unlearn … [Read more…]

Impotent Conferences Are Powerless To Influence Forward Movement

Imagine a radio station that played adult contemporary, classical, country, dance, electronic, golden oldies, heavy metal, news, pop, R&B, rock, southern gospel and talk alternating between each. What if this commercial radio station tried to appeal to everyone’s musical taste as well as news and talk radio? How successful would it be? It wouldn’t work, … [Read more…]