#sherryconnects

[orgcommunity2015]

Turn Ordinary into Extraordinary--Bold Ideas are Solutions Day’s Signature

Maybe we don’t need 31 Flavors. What if vanilla is the one? Pralines n’ Cream will always have a place in my top ten. But the power of simplicity is often overlooked and under-appreciated. When you focus on what’s iconic to you, you can find deeper meaning in life and work. That kind of bold idea makes .orgCommunity’s Solutions Day an eye-opening event. Stephanie Hendrick, this year’s keynote…

[orgcommunity2015]

Good Data Governance Equals Great Member Experiences

Lately, I’ve been writing about the importance of connecting technology to values and emotions. But I may be glossing over an important point. It’s impossible to create that high-level, human-centered impact without getting into the weeds. Data is the foundation for every technology initiative. Good data governance is essential for successful digital outcomes. Data that accurately reflects your…

[orgcommunity2015]

Make the Champion Disruptor Your Catalyst for Change—Use AI to Drive Transformation

If you asked me to describe the future of associations in one word, it would be “transformation.” And, if you asked why I made that choice, I would say “AI.” Maybe you are not keen on becoming a butterfly. Perhaps your organization is one of those tradition-bound groups with a history that has been a decades-long cast iron model for culture, governance, and operations. Remaining in that safe…

[orgcommunity2015]

Grounded in Tradition and Focused on the Future, A Conversation with Richard Yep, CAE, FASAE

I love talking with executives who see the association industry through a wide lens. My recent podcast guest, Richard Yep, is one of those people. Richard is a visionary thinker whose opinions are filtered through years of expertise. Richard draws on four decades of experience in the association community. For 30 years, he served as CEO at the American Counseling Association (ACA). Currently, he…

[orgcommunity2015]

Delivering Excellence in the Age of AI or Association 4.0

Part One Excellence is never a given. Being identified as the best in anything from soccer to sales requires commitment and hard work. But for decades, associations easily held pride of place in their industries. Members saw us as a professional home, their most trusted source of advocacy and information. Yes, we had to win that loyalty. But there weren’t many contestants vying to take it…

[orgcommunity2015]

Make Space—Lighten the Load for Your Heavy Lifters

Stuff is falling off your plate. You’re surrounded by a scary pile of responsibilities. You could delegate. But you don’t have the time to bring another staffer up to speed. Or you might hire new talent, but an opportunity to interview and onboard seems as elusive as a vacation day. Unfortunately, this Catch 22 is standard operating procedure in some associations. Limited resources paired with…

[orgcommunity2015]

Without Trust You Don't Have a Team

Do you ever wonder how you’re doing as a leader? What’s the best way to evaluate your skills? There are a variety of metrics that might be useful. You could distribute a survey, conduct 360-degree performance evaluations, analyze the financials, and assess your progress against goals. But there is an easier way. Ask yourself whether your team trusts you. Trust is the currency of effective…

[orgcommunity2015]

Soft Skills Support Hard Leadership Challenges

In a digital market moving at the speed of a video game, recruiting the right staff is a make-or-break activity. But what about the other half of the equation? Most association CEOs don’t hand-pick the board. How do we bring novice players up to speed? What can we do to ensure they have the skills to understand a challenging landscape and make the wise decisions needed for success? Lately, I’ve…

[orgcommunity2015]

Digital Strategists, Innovators, and Drivers Build a Relevant Future

[orgcommunity2015]

.orgCommunity Leadership ColLAB Gets to the HEART of Technology

There’s always a magnet for attention in the room–that individual surrounded by a group of eager listeners. Have you ever wondered what spark makes them special? Some people just understand how to click with others. They’re good at social skills like listening, empathy, and finding common ground. The same concept applies to organizations. The associations that capture an audience and keep them…

[orgcommunity2015]

A Technology Assessment Connects Intention and Ability

Do you have a friend whose house looks like it belongs to neat freak Felix Unger, but the closets and drawers are clearly owned by lovable slob Oscar Madison? This Odd Couple disconnect happens to even savvy digital organizations. My writing about digital leadership often focuses on values and attitudes. But attention to the infrastructure’s nuts and bolts is also important. Periodic technology…

[orgcommunity2015]

Still Confused About AI, Learn the Facts A-BOT Us!

How many articles about AI have you read? Too many? Despite all the information, are you still a little confused about where this adventure is going? Let me begin with a disclaimer. Generative AI is not a gift that lends itself to neat packaging. The beauty of this technology is its limitless potential. Exploring those possibilities can take you on a trip down a deep and twisty rabbit hole. For…

[orgcommunity2015]

Drones, Robots, and Farmers—Prepare Your Association to Meet Fast-Moving Technology Trends

To make a point about technology and its impact on the future of work, Hugh Lee, Co-Founder of Fusion Productions, told me this story: “Several years ago, we invited some young presenters who were developing cutting edge farming technology to digitalNow. They were using drones to fly over fields and analyze the irrigation and fertilizer required by individual plants and crops. The information…

[orgcommunity2015]

Tired of Operational Surprises? Ask These Strategic Questions

Surprise parties can be fun. If the balloon tower featuring your age got cancelled—even better. Surprises in business aren’t so welcome. When the membership director springs a dashboard on you with every indicator trending south, it’s not a good day. Distraction is an invitation for the unexpected. If you’re playing Whack a Mole with details, it’s easy to overlook the big picture. Take a…

[orgcommunity2015]

Disruption Sunny Side Up 

Disruption gets a bad rap. We are quick to see it as a faceless villain itching to lay waste to our future prospects. But shattering the status quo is positive and necessary. We call that type of change innovation. It happens when smart people with guts and irrepressible creative energy are left to their own devices. Greg Larkin, who was a guest on a recent Association 4.0 podcast, is one of…

[orgcommunity2015]

Close the Gap Between Knowing and Doing—Be a MarTech Trend Spotter

Whether I’m writing about marketing, strategy, or technology, one idea always surfaces. Understanding members at a granular level has never been more important. We all know this, right? Yet, it seems that even big corporations are struggling to deliver the level of personalization that customers expect. Harvard Business Review Analytic Services recently released a report that illustrates the…