tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52267854201121978062024-02-06T22:29:00.333-08:00Membership Engagement... IT Solves EVERYTHING! Today, it's not good enough to be relevant. People want to join a revolution. They want an exciting experience that engages them in a profound way that will have a positive impact on them and their business, while providing a rewarding experience that fulfills their souls. I write about things that help associations achieve true transformation for the future and build a REVOLUTION. It's not theory... it's reality with the metrics to prove it.Tom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226785420112197806.post-32104854159572866212016-01-13T10:46:00.002-08:002016-01-18T10:39:40.445-08:00When It Comes To Gen Y... Be Patient... They Will JoinAnyone over 40 years old reading this post, I want you to think about your early-to-mid 20's. Did you<span id="goog_537014294"></span><span id="goog_537014295"></span> join anything? If you're like most, the answer to that question would be "no". In our 20's we always think we are smarter than everyone else, and don't have a real need to connect with a network of people and resources that can help us make our lives better. <br />
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The natural course of life is that when people reach 30, they potentially are married, maybe have kids, a mortgage payment, and life circumstances that lead them to the point of thinking, "I might need some help from others who know more than me." Gen X is currently that generation in the 31 to 51 age bracket. Gen Y is just getting there.<br />
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Given this data, Gen X is who associations should be putting a lot of effort into recruiting. If you just look at raw numbers, membership should be stagnant, or dropping like many corporations, due to the fact that there are 9 million fewer Gen Xers than Baby Boomers. So of course, there should be a dip in growth given that there is an 11.5% drop in the raw number of potential members as a population. See the chart below with the various demographic groups (provided by KGC Direct, a nationally known demographic research company).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yt43eFFwbDAZFCK8H95A28p_db-Nzwkc3Rw2ICVDW7FZKtxl1QdIaJnUep-lCAa4sXJoYZavUAiqCSRZbHTDgRrPEEAPSH0RrOBIQ4oXxo9tEB5BftqpYtBUvrpSASUgCjzZmmhJPuE/s1600/Birthchart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yt43eFFwbDAZFCK8H95A28p_db-Nzwkc3Rw2ICVDW7FZKtxl1QdIaJnUep-lCAa4sXJoYZavUAiqCSRZbHTDgRrPEEAPSH0RrOBIQ4oXxo9tEB5BftqpYtBUvrpSASUgCjzZmmhJPuE/s400/Birthchart.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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When you have a grasp on these real numbers, it brings into focus why Gen Y, who is currently 11 to 31, hasn't joined any associations. Simply because the majority of people in their 20's, of any demographic group, didn't join associations in their 20's. They knew who the associations were, kept up on them, but never joined them.</div>
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Then life hits, you feel all alone in the chaos of work, kids, life, debt, and mortgage payments, and begin to reach out to others to get feedback in a whole host of areas. Enter their industry trade association… I say there is great HOPE on this day, because the Gen Y generation is in the first year of 20 years when they will begin to see the value of associations, and be in their highest years of joining associations as with previous generations. The question is... will you have a good brand and value for them when they arrive?</div>
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I want you to take a good look at the next chart to understand the "WHY" Gen Y will need, and ultimately join those associations who brand themselves in the right way. I've put a line on the graph to signify the number of "good paying executive jobs" that are available to the general population. Take a look at the chart:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvpy7qkJJUVSN3jS5j2JbgbtapI_Kh1nFnz0i3AsXDULp6H9wyFXb1CJR2fenGIORACuDUdBI1GvpayGAhydTVZ40p16nAYJla2fuoFzH0edXeO6aPw3irzSYNrieB3LwL_H8hAU0tWE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-01-06+at+9.35.24+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvpy7qkJJUVSN3jS5j2JbgbtapI_Kh1nFnz0i3AsXDULp6H9wyFXb1CJR2fenGIORACuDUdBI1GvpayGAhydTVZ40p16nAYJla2fuoFzH0edXeO6aPw3irzSYNrieB3LwL_H8hAU0tWE/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-01-06+at+9.35.24+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here is what I want you to understand. Baby Boomers didn't stay in the same job for 30 years and retire because they were so committed…they stayed there because there were no jobs to jump to. There were 2 people in line for that "nice job" that were just as qualified as the next candidate. Competition was fierce.</div>
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With 9 million fewer Gen X'ers, there were more "nice paying executive jobs" than there were qualified people to fill them. Gen X'ers could job hop, because companies had a need for more jobs than there were qualified people to fill them.</div>
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With 85 to 90 million in Gen Y, we will be back again to there being more qualified people than there are "nice paying jobs" available. Gen Y can't afford to be "job hoppers" because there will be 2 people just as qualified as them, right in front of them asking for the same job. </div>
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So how does this benefit associations you may ask? </div>
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As the economy shakes up and down, there are going to be more future restructurings and people being let go for a variety of reasons. Those who don't join their association and live in a cocoon, will be the ones sending thousands of resumes with no response over a 6-month period of living on unemployment, thus putting their personal life and family at risk.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHMFSQZOKyP6hariRJPqptH2DjgQjZXgL_l507sHHVebOh856jVr2UqnjmiwKzCVwY9bWcba5-bASUqj-SXsJmwVvat2kWhD47uZxUskwsTZVqc8EX9734wdAfQj3UNUgjCLTN5mLRBw/s1600/IMG_3518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHMFSQZOKyP6hariRJPqptH2DjgQjZXgL_l507sHHVebOh856jVr2UqnjmiwKzCVwY9bWcba5-bASUqj-SXsJmwVvat2kWhD47uZxUskwsTZVqc8EX9734wdAfQj3UNUgjCLTN5mLRBw/s200/IMG_3518.jpg" width="200" /></a>Those who are members of their association, and a network of members, will be able to make a couple of phone calls to people who had previously said, "If you ever leave your company, give me a call", and they will have a job in a month, thus saving their personal life and family finances. ...And with a job market that will be so competitive in the future, as Gen Y'ers fully enter the workforce over the next 10 years, guess what will separate them from the competition with employers? The "Other Industry Involvement" block of their resume. Guess where that involvement comes from? Sitting on a task force and committee teams at YOUR association, showing leadership skills and effective teamwork. </div>
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Every association who begins to understand the numbers and data behind the demographics of our population will begin to see that they need to do two specific actions steps right now:</div>
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<ol>
<li>Make a more aggressive push to provide value to the Gen X generation NOW, to recruit a larger portion of them, thus making up the shortfall from there being 9 million fewer of them than the "Baby Boomers" demographic.</li>
<li>Build an awareness campaign towards the Gen Y generation, so that as they begin to enter the executive workforce in their 30's, they see value in joining the association.</li>
</ol>
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Don't feel like you are behind the curve on Gen Y'ers joining your association…they are only in year 1 of 20 years of seriously looking at joining associations, and associations who lose Gen X'ers are the associations who will see serious dips and challenges within their membership. </div>
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As I always say, "Quit trying to plan for a future you cannot predict, and create the future you want."</div>
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<br />Tom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226785420112197806.post-35415787846928952282015-11-03T04:50:00.000-08:002015-11-03T07:43:03.212-08:00Is The Power ON In Your Association?<iframe align="right" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="200" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rARC8wPi6gQ?rel=0" width="300"></iframe>Today, more than ever, it is critical that your association put 100% of your focus on "doing things for your members that they can't do themselves." If you scan the market economy at every level, in every industry, market disruption is coming at a record pace. It used to take companies decades to penetrate an industry to become a player. With evolving technology, companies can now own an industry in just a few years. UBER is a perfect example of how a company can come out of no where, and in a few short years create total havoc in an industry.<br />
<br />
If you think your industry is exempt from such disruption....you are fooling yourself. I want to encourage you to rise above that type of thinking. Understand that your association is the most powerful FORCE for making change in your industry, and to help your members seize the moment in this time of rapid change. Our association figured this out in 2006. We decided to not listen to those who were saying, "associations are not relevant", "membership is dead", "young people aren't joiners" and "social media was going to kill our meetings".<br />
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We understood a key component to thriving in a fast-paced business climate: Individually people are strong, but together as an association, people are POWERFUL. We seized that knowledge in our association and our performance took off over the last 10 years:<br />
<ul>
<li>Membership is up 17%</li>
<li>Dues income is up 32%</li>
<li>Non-dues revenue is up 415%</li>
<li>Overall revenue is up 49%</li>
<li>Net reserves have soared to over 1,000% growth</li>
<li>Member retention is at a strong 96% annually</li>
</ul>
This growth has provided our board with incredible resources to be flexible, creative, and to take risks that members cannot invest in or take themselves.<br />
<br />
<iframe align="right" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="200" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d2OWdPRFoBQ" width="300"></iframe>Now for you who think we had some magical environment during that last 10 years, that has afforded all of this growth, and that our association isn't like yours...you're wrong. Our association has had many of the same challenges as many associations have: Old thinking, economic fallout of 2009, convincing young people that we offer relevance and value to them, and the threat of social media. <br />
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However, what separated us from many other associations is that we CHOSE to not forget who we are, why we were created, and we didn't listen to those who claimed that associations have no relevance. <br />
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We chose to believe, with passion, that members want to be engaged. They want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. They wanted to share. They want to meet with others like themselves and connect at deeper levels. They want to be successful. <br />
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Your association is your member's path to that high level success. Your association is the key to their success, because no other business model allows members to do the following 5 key elements together:<br />
<ul>
<li>Organize themselves</li>
<li>Coordinate their efforts</li>
<li>Spread the cost over many</li>
<li>Build a network of trusting partnerships</li>
<li>Do things for themselves effectively they can't do individually</li>
</ul>
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To succeed in today's crazy, fast-paced climate, it is critical that your association has a rolling 24- month business plan. This plan sets the stage for how you will drive programs that will engage your members, tackle the issues that threaten their business, and networks them together to create trusted partnerships and business opportunities.</div>
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Disruptions like UBER, iTunes, and Amazon are just the beginning. Developing technologies like the self-driven car, additive manufacturing, 3D printing, and a sharing/rental economy are going to transform how your members compete and view your association. The question is....will you be ready? Will your members be ready? Do you have a process to define your industry disruption? Do you have a next generation task force helping to drive programs of the future? Does your board have a culture of change and innovation?<br />
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If you want to get a good start in energizing your leadership and your members, consider having me do my two sessions at your next leadership conference or annual meeting on:<br />
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- How to Get Members to Scream Your Name & Beg For More<br />
- What's Your UBER...Getting Ready For the Future That is HERE NOW<br />
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Building a strong association that has a growing membership, strength in revenues, and focused mission isn't by chance....it's by building a plan and a culture that energizes your leadership's innovation, member passion, and volunteer excitement.<br />
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Let me help you make 2016 count for your association members. It will be the best investment you make in 2016. If you are interested in having me speak at your next meeting, contact me at 904-334-9408, tom@tommorrison.biz or <a href="https://tmainc.wufoo.com/forms/speaking-proposal-request-form/">CLICK HERE</a> to complete a speaking RFP.<br />
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<br />Tom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226785420112197806.post-85191704104813111582015-09-02T06:13:00.002-07:002015-09-02T10:43:31.192-07:00Meeting Planning for Today: Checklists & Timelines Don't Get It Done Anymore<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxXTHl-hPdNoXJinUM3A1UG3yKtN2pUcrnZN7Xyknxy7dANuUGvPwhHR0blzX_suk0woPWD9XMJkS3lThOPZ_sQoCWul8OpL7P5oMO9gn5u6ZlBUxyZJe8cu35iLncB6tChvPFJHMJVE/s1600/IMG_4135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxXTHl-hPdNoXJinUM3A1UG3yKtN2pUcrnZN7Xyknxy7dANuUGvPwhHR0blzX_suk0woPWD9XMJkS3lThOPZ_sQoCWul8OpL7P5oMO9gn5u6ZlBUxyZJe8cu35iLncB6tChvPFJHMJVE/s200/IMG_4135.JPG" width="200" /></a>This past week I noticed some conversation on ASAE's Collaborate from people looking for sample checklists and timelines to produce successful meetings. I want to take another route than a checklist or timeline. I discovered this planning route years ago. It is one that leaves no detail unturned and drives innovation in the planning process.<br />
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We used a checklist
many years ago and did away with it. What I found with checklists and timelines are that details can be left out because a
checklist provides for things to always be done the same way. It
leaves out the process of innovation because a checklist makes you
think you should follow it to a tee. The checklist and timeline philosophy leads you down the path to believing that because it was done this way the last meeting, we should do it the same way this meeting.</div>
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About 19
years ago, I developed a fool proof meeting planning system that:</div>
<ul>
<li>Ensures details don't
fall through the cracks</li>
<li>Engages innovation throughout the entire
meeting planning process</li>
<li>Builds team unity in the process</li>
<li>Involves
everyone in the process</li>
<li>No matter what the size of the event, we are
finished with <b>everything</b> a week before the event, while working no overtime.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBL-K1hlrcOsX7mf7gWDxd0rDqd0yFXaK4csJvfON7LSOWNDkG9qpKhAf9WpzjaKevnbHTyIIC8e-RZQYgY0DAG8ojgF3V3oS8FAYy2H3AXGM5T2qq9LVz9xPfI9cwaGCgRaxQaP9pym8/s1600/IMG_1391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBL-K1hlrcOsX7mf7gWDxd0rDqd0yFXaK4csJvfON7LSOWNDkG9qpKhAf9WpzjaKevnbHTyIIC8e-RZQYgY0DAG8ojgF3V3oS8FAYy2H3AXGM5T2qq9LVz9xPfI9cwaGCgRaxQaP9pym8/s200/IMG_1391.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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I'm sure when I say "finished a week early, and work no overtime" you are initially in disbelief, but YES...we are done a week before the event takes place while working no overtime.</div>
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Here is what the process involves:</div>
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I have what we call a "Function Sheet" that is the central document for the system. For each session, networking event, or gathering at an event, we create a Function Sheet that has all of the general event information
at the top, including: name of the event, date, time, location, and number of
people expected. Below this are 5 sections for AV, F & B, People
Required, Resources Needed, and General Comments.</div>
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We start with our first planning meeting with a blank slate. No timeline. No checklist. With everyone at the table
we walk through the entire meeting by completing a Function Sheet for
every event, from beginning to end. This includes events like "Leaving
the Office" and "Arriving at the Hotel". Anytime there is a new event, a Function Sheet is required. We discuss in detail each event,
brainstorming what needs to happen to create a fun and exciting learning
and social experience for attendees. By working each event through a "playbook", you pay close attention to flow and transition. It helps you be more intentional about attendee experience during breaks and in between sessions. These aren't down times. These are opportunities to touch attendees in an intentional way.</div>
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Once we
have worked through every session/social event to be hosted at the event, our Director of Meetings creates the official Playbook for the meeting, which consists of all the Function
Sheets.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju04aOCZ8Nj4C2t3QiIKwH-m-vhLIL2tyoLDKLB0mSU2Kf6e0xHIAAfTqc2wK2QiJ3ueEP0W18ySheXHQGDYH3aVADPMlAmbTJ6knQp0dIb9vNqp_od8SRK2IJc0k828xSSfVrq-UcZX0/s1600/IMG_1400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju04aOCZ8Nj4C2t3QiIKwH-m-vhLIL2tyoLDKLB0mSU2Kf6e0xHIAAfTqc2wK2QiJ3ueEP0W18ySheXHQGDYH3aVADPMlAmbTJ6knQp0dIb9vNqp_od8SRK2IJc0k828xSSfVrq-UcZX0/s200/IMG_1400.JPG" width="200" /></a>Our planning group then goes through
the entire Playbook from beginning to end every time we get together, and
we play out the meeting in our head as if it's happening many times. Most people focus only on what is left to be completed at each meeting...not us. We move through the Playbook in full, through every event, every time we meet. Each meeting we look at our Master To Do List which shares the task, who is to do it, and when it needs to be done by. We review this each meeting with the Playbook to make sure that we stay on schedule.</div>
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<div>
Once we have all the AV orders, BEO's, and supplemental documents from the hotel, we add them as a supporting document
behind the event Function Sheet that it is associated with. This ensures that everyone knows the
hotel's responsibility with regards to each event. Depending on the size of the event, we will walk through the Playbook of Function Sheets several times. For our larger events, we will work through it monthly. When we approach 10 weeks out, we will work through it every week.<br />
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</div>
<div>
Once we are 10
days out, we go over the Playbook one last time, to make sure if there
are any new ideas or elements to add. If none, then we make no changes except in extreme circumstances, one week prior to the event. Here is
the thought process…if you have gone through your entire event, session-by-session 20 to 25
times, and you haven't thought of the "great idea" before one
week prior, then it's not worthy of disrupting the entire plan for that idea.
This gets everyone really thinking early on in the process, because come a week
out, it's a go and nothing changes.</div>
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</div>
<div>
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Once onsite, we do a review of the book one last time, and then it's just a matter of execution.</div>
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<div>
The
great thing about this system, is that when a team has mentally walked
through the event in their minds 20+ times in the planning process as if
it's happening, once onsite, it is like a well-oiled machine. There is no guessing
onsite, because you already have talked 20 times about how you are going
to handle everything in the plan, and you have pre-thought how to
handle all the unexpected issues that can arise and what to do about
them. Because you have worked through it as a team, everyone has a great understanding of what everyone else is doing as well.</div>
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I've had hotels tell me that they have never
seen such a well executed event like ours...and with<b> just 3 people</b> doing large events. Our BEO's are done 45 to 60
days out and we tell the hotel up front we will have our orders all in 60 days out. This gets the hotel on our side big time because we looked organized and easy to work with. The great thing
about the plan is that our playbook is exported to a PDF, and myself
and my Director of Meetings have it on our mobile devices to refer to.
No more carrying around 3 inch binders of paper!! GOTTA LOVE IT!<br />
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<div>
Throw out the time line and checklist. Live your event during the planning process. The more you live it in your mind, the more you will create an amazing experience for attendees onsite...and be organized in the process. Planning a meeting is not about working through a checklist. It's about working a process that will give your attendees a memorable learning experience, that inspires them to make the necessary changes in their life or business to achieve their goals.</div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Helvetica; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Helvetica; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span>Tom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226785420112197806.post-20656866465443287082015-08-08T13:45:00.003-07:002015-08-08T14:11:20.284-07:00Creating Space In Your Members Head For Passion For Your Association<style>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjoHrzLjmAmB8CycXbt1MrjpEXI8RfUGzxIao8BjAkHcFc25uRujBG4VroixhA70mmkCaJjrhM3KCmWPqHpHDpCcNO51eKWkpRhkpGEM9uV_5YdcVXjymLgr6Invdkw7Pq47Ccl46Ruq8/s1600/ASAE+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjoHrzLjmAmB8CycXbt1MrjpEXI8RfUGzxIao8BjAkHcFc25uRujBG4VroixhA70mmkCaJjrhM3KCmWPqHpHDpCcNO51eKWkpRhkpGEM9uV_5YdcVXjymLgr6Invdkw7Pq47Ccl46Ruq8/s200/ASAE+1.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">With any human being there is only so much space in our head and our heart for emotion and Associations bank on getting their portion of that space to create passionate members who lead them to success and overall strength passion.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">When someone’s glass is overflowing with the demands of daily life members have no room for either emotion or passion for an association to make a connection. When you look at associations we are all about engaging a member’s passion with our purpose to have a positive impact on the association cause. If there is no room for the purpose and passion of the association retention and volunteerism suffer. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i><b>Hear me on this.</b></i> If a member is NOT personally fulfilled in life they cannot be professionally fulfilled in the long term. If they are not professionally fulfilled you will not reach them as a member. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Anyone reading this understands the personal daily grind of life. For many<br />trying to keep all the balls in the air in meeting the demands on your life can truly suck the passion right out of your soul. Studies show the frustration and challenges faced by many of our members:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">55% of Americans are unhappy in their current job</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Over 60% of Americans have some type of debt in collection</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">50% of marriages are ending in divorce</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Over 60% of America are overweight</span></li>
</ul>
<iframe align="right" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="200" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d2OWdPRFoBQ" width="300"></iframe><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">These are a lot of our association members. While they are dealing with debt marital issues<br />unhappy with their job or battling health issues we are trying to grab their attention and get them involved in our associations. Unless we can make a personal and emotional connection<br />especially with the younger generation associations will always struggle to sift through the maze of the daily grind.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Between all of the personal and professional responsibilities and demands in our members’ lives it can be almost overwhelming to many. Just to name a few are: </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Increasing debt</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Family responsibilities</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Overwhelming children activities</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Work related demands and stress</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Relationship issues</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Volunteering</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Not enough time to get everything done</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Health issues creeping in</span></li>
</ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZ2uesjNiVsmdJ1lD4wRU83M1Me9-7mbIld-2NjbejQRowtl0Qfv4QX3lG9FEat_vNUCXh3kCXBVCf8krlEhTeT3tGY_kLzOOjGvWOig0V5UrUVN0BsT-J70P_KxqQr9yVjw5sIFFJhw/s1600/ASAE+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZ2uesjNiVsmdJ1lD4wRU83M1Me9-7mbIld-2NjbejQRowtl0Qfv4QX3lG9FEat_vNUCXh3kCXBVCf8krlEhTeT3tGY_kLzOOjGvWOig0V5UrUVN0BsT-J70P_KxqQr9yVjw5sIFFJhw/s200/ASAE+2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> The 4 numbers I mentioned earlier illustrate this. Just these four areas of people’s lives are enough to create undue stress and anxiety that makes it hard for members to buy into the passion an association desires and needs. When members are overwhelmed personally they are overwhelmed at work. If they are overwhelmed at work they have no emotional space to become connected passionately to the cause of the industry association. In life many want to improve their circumstances but many don’t know how to or what path to take. They want more than a return on their investment…they want a RETURN ON LIFE.<br /><br />People need hope. They need to know there is a path for moving from struggle to success…from sorrow to joy...from no time to “I got this”… from emptiness to fulfillment. They need a path that can actually help them live out their hopes wishes and dreams that they aspired to when they left their parents house after high school and college.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I want to encourage associations at the 2015 ASAE Annual Conference to give thought to the following: how can you help your members find that path of hope success and fulfillment<br />that will help them to eventually free up the space in their head and connect in with your association.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> I have a first step for you to consider:<br /> </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8S7Bsimzk9SW7q2Zt7iAlcQTkDgj6k25ZBkb_NpfGgwbGmiorl2ipHlL7YkYnoWNpPhPMfFpGAiUXYbpgUu0DMoe-WKqBT42jMH1wLOAXDulD5cjk_Izax-HwP2NklMeSVM8Bs0dCBN4/s1600/ASAE+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8S7Bsimzk9SW7q2Zt7iAlcQTkDgj6k25ZBkb_NpfGgwbGmiorl2ipHlL7YkYnoWNpPhPMfFpGAiUXYbpgUu0DMoe-WKqBT42jMH1wLOAXDulD5cjk_Izax-HwP2NklMeSVM8Bs0dCBN4/s320/ASAE+3.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Being a consummate life coach I personally launched a new ground breaking personal development book on July 4th of this year called <i><b>How to Get People to Scream Your Name and Beg For More.</b></i> It speaks to this very topic and since its launch has been changing the way reader’s think about their life.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">It unpacks the following four components in everyone’s life helping them to live the best life possible and reach their hopes wishes and dreams:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">4 areas of life that everyone must plan for in order to reach your dreams. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">4 elements that keep you from reaching your dreams. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">4 elements that control 99% of your success in reaching your dreams. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">4 characteristics you must possess to reach your dreams. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Consider getting your copy of my new book and see if this message will resonate connect</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">and inspire your members to make positive changes in their lives. Making those changes will most likely free up the emotional space in their head you need to connect them with the passion of your association.<br /><br />If this book resonates with you I would love to speak at your next conference bringing hope and inspiration that your members need in order to live passionately and empowering them to get engaged in your association. Check out the following links:<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">- Read the first chapter for FREE by <a href="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/54176227/First%20Chapter%20Book.pdf">CLICKING HERE</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">- Purchase the eBook/Audio version on Amazon by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/People-Scream-Your-Name-More-ebook/dp/B00ZM1TG2K/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1430952788&sr=8-1">CLICKING HERE</a><br />- Purchase a printed copy for a special $15 ASAE conference rate: <a href="https://tmainc.wufoo.com/forms/book-order-form-fsae-special/">CLICK HERE</a><br />- Submit a keynote RFP by <a href="http://www.screamyournamebook.com/#!speaking-rfp/cko3">CLICKING HERE</a><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Regardless of what you do let 2016 and 2017 don’t just give your members a return on investment. Give them a RETURN ON LIFE. Members who receive a return on life<br />will create more passion and member engagement than you could ever pay for.</span></div>
Tom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226785420112197806.post-17119942519563204422015-07-06T06:48:00.002-07:002015-07-06T07:05:29.192-07:00Associations Are More Powerful Than You Think!There are many in the world of associations who are preaching<br />
against the world of associations. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPqbvhvxgaPyzJ75-7zShIpgf3et5ER2bvtx54_RN06n-raSrYQa9uA8jf8wkNahemH0fKG2ETVTz_93D-tIpabeUG1rdaUhJHlJDmIuJxxGiaywaO0Ik_O8sBXE97khuoboAjSVY4B8/s1600/IMG_4055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPqbvhvxgaPyzJ75-7zShIpgf3et5ER2bvtx54_RN06n-raSrYQa9uA8jf8wkNahemH0fKG2ETVTz_93D-tIpabeUG1rdaUhJHlJDmIuJxxGiaywaO0Ik_O8sBXE97khuoboAjSVY4B8/s200/IMG_4055.JPG" width="200" /></a>They are claiming that associations don't work, they are out of touch, people don't want to pay dues and the membership model doesn't work.<br />
<br />
They couldn't be farther from the truth. The association model is the STRONGEST model for assimilating people for a cause. Period. There is no strong model.<br />
<br />
I like to compare the
traditional association model to that of the traditional car model.
Cars of today have the same four components they did in the 1960's, with
an engine, body, frame, and four wheels. The car has always been the
best and most efficient mode of transportation for the average person.
Yet the cars of today outperform cars of the 1960's, because of
technology advancements and re-engineering.<br />
<br />
Associations
are exactly the same. The traditional model of today encompasses the
same core elements as the 1960's, in that associations provide groups of
people with a common passion, a purpose, and a chance to:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ol>
<li>Organize themselves</li>
<li>Coordinate their efforts</li>
<li>Leverage the costs over many people</li>
<li>Do things as a group, they could not do individually, effectively </li>
<li>Build trust to take advantage of business opportunities</li>
</ol>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAazZMA7dIvX9sDT5BTQqs6UB7V7B1ZO8609AdxJIvTIm7Ui5a2WgaYmHo9PB2GU0ZgqyvSLUZEMJ2QjEm6Bwu2qCxpj5RliTm-A8E_EiDG4GlnBLVnngzJ-W740aRcxhz4qQO8sbgj8g/s1600/IMG_2347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAazZMA7dIvX9sDT5BTQqs6UB7V7B1ZO8609AdxJIvTIm7Ui5a2WgaYmHo9PB2GU0ZgqyvSLUZEMJ2QjEm6Bwu2qCxpj5RliTm-A8E_EiDG4GlnBLVnngzJ-W740aRcxhz4qQO8sbgj8g/s200/IMG_2347.JPG" width="200" /></a>There is no other business model that allows a group of people with
common passion and purpose, to pull off such great accomplishments as
the association model does and "sustain itself." For all of you who believe the internet and social media can
assimilate people with a common purpose, you're fooling yourself,
because someone has got to execute and do the work. Social media allows
people to talk, write, and shout out a lot, but at some point, someone
has to leave their computer and do the work. This is where the
associations rules the day.<br />
<br />
With technology
advancements in social media and other online platforms the association model has been made stronger
and more powerful because: <br />
<ol>
<li>We have now given the smallest member in the most remote location an opportunity to be involved in the conversation.</li>
<li>We have empowered our members to connect 24/7.</li>
<li>We have engaged our members to have a louder voice because the voice has expanded.</li>
<li>We have become more important as a trusted filter to the incredible amount of wrong information on the internet.</li>
</ol>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAzepwPZBSbr4Td6MZu_J0ncudOBfhKXa2igSaU5xniVkWfkxIk2Fq9FEraeoxUTPof4EafB_SmUfZSYoegNar-eQ5iPZbKQ3eR4g7wSCrytWp-9Nfzmpn3gxL8S4MLs6DNyKPkF6LDM/s1600/Impossible+Attainable.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAzepwPZBSbr4Td6MZu_J0ncudOBfhKXa2igSaU5xniVkWfkxIk2Fq9FEraeoxUTPof4EafB_SmUfZSYoegNar-eQ5iPZbKQ3eR4g7wSCrytWp-9Nfzmpn3gxL8S4MLs6DNyKPkF6LDM/s200/Impossible+Attainable.png" width="200" /></a>The
reason people view the association model as dead, is because many CEO's
and execs have viewed technology advancements as a threat to their
control and association model, instead of the path to re-engineering
that which can propel their association to expand their reach to rule
their universe.<br />
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Creating a powerful machine called "Your Association" comes from understanding the three types of members all associations have and the three levels of engagement that all operate in. Once you understand these dynamics in measurable results, you can then build a plan to reach each segment of your membership to strengthen their engagement with the association.<br />
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Remember, the #1 reason members site for leaving is "lack of engagement." Yet associations continue to have issue driven strategies and no plan to meet their members where they are. Poor choice in my book in today's world of associations.<br />
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I know this, because our organization still runs a
traditional model. However, since 2006,
our association has aggressively made technology advancements and
re-engineered our habits, and the member satisfaction, member loyalty,
engagement of the younger generation, and financial strength of our
organization has never been higher. Check out these performance measures:<br />
<ul>
<li>Retention rate is 96% year end and year out</li>
<li>80% of members are engaged in at least one program </li>
<li>Our young executive series management training program sells out every year</li>
<li>Dues income is up 39% from where it was 10 years ago </li>
<li>Our non-dues revenue is up over 400% what it was 10 years ago </li>
<li>Net reserves have increased over 1,000 in last 10 years</li>
</ul>
All of this with one of the largest economic downturns and slowest recoveries in American history.<br />
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Here's the deal and what I have figured out: <br />
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<ul>
<li>People WANT to accomplish something bigger than themselves with groups common to them.</li>
<li>People WANT to be a part of something exciting.</li>
<li>People WANT to believe in an organization who can empower them to make it happen.</li>
</ul>
If any association implements technology advancements, and the
right re-engineering around the five core association elements mentioned
above and 10 key elements I teach in my session How to Get Members to Scream Your Name and Beg For More, I believe your association can rule your universe and engage the loyalty of your members.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhha_8imYnZdIGEJiXjFH0mZ7JIRBtOdg7IF0rao0_ne-8YJYaqvXKxEQOSYBibIlPbYPOyZpIVf6l0nMTFhBDt7lz39fxFe3nlVOH_UD7v-SBnAgCmVXWkUz0ernmIUXj8YESHdZWnxWA/s1600/IMG_3470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhha_8imYnZdIGEJiXjFH0mZ7JIRBtOdg7IF0rao0_ne-8YJYaqvXKxEQOSYBibIlPbYPOyZpIVf6l0nMTFhBDt7lz39fxFe3nlVOH_UD7v-SBnAgCmVXWkUz0ernmIUXj8YESHdZWnxWA/s200/IMG_3470.JPG" width="200" /></a>If you would like to see the deliverables I've been providing associations over the last three years in working with their leadership, <a href="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/54176227/AssociationRevolutionChallenge.pdf">CLICK HERE.</a><br />
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Associations don't need radical change. They need a systematic shift in small steps to rebuild their value proposition and confidence from their members. If your association needs to find hope in themselves and strength for the future, I can help them find it.<br />
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Good luck in your journey to engage, excite and inspire your members to build a group a members who aren't just strong, but YOUR ASSOCIATION STRONG.Tom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226785420112197806.post-50415840096629011822015-06-08T12:03:00.002-07:002015-06-08T12:03:18.910-07:00You Can't Give What You Don't Have<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5BnY8vYdepQT6zAp62tNscez7N0ihz0BYsuQMpqGAl3yojIPU35nylRJ7ghnVuVItm-5-xJC0ucrj4azB86X4Tb6kb4re6t_fIAcHpHA9hJy3eelnTeznmPNxmO848pQ98h8L7kLqS8/s1600/DSC02097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5BnY8vYdepQT6zAp62tNscez7N0ihz0BYsuQMpqGAl3yojIPU35nylRJ7ghnVuVItm-5-xJC0ucrj4azB86X4Tb6kb4re6t_fIAcHpHA9hJy3eelnTeznmPNxmO848pQ98h8L7kLqS8/s200/DSC02097.JPG" width="200" /></a>On a typical Monday, I would find myself pondering and writing about how to solve Association organizational issues with membership, non-dues revenues, meetings, etc. <br />
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Today I want to get a little more personal and talk to you, the association professional. As I look around and listen to many executives face-to-face and online, I hear in their voice, that they are missing something in their life. They want more from their career. They want more meaning in their life. They want to feel like they are growing, yet many can't find a good path to a meaning and fulfillment, because of the personal issues going on all around them called.."LIFE."<br />
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Growing debt, struggling relationships, a terrible boss, and just feeling unfulfilled to name a few. For many, the lack of passion and quality of life you are experiencing right now is far from the vision you had coming out of high school or college. You want to change, but you don't know the path to change. <br />
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There are four reasons people don't take the steps to get to the next level in their life, or pursue their dreams:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Fear:</b> Many are scared of failing or taking a risk. </li>
<li><b>Don't Like Change: </b> New things make people uncomfortable. They want things to stay the same.</li>
<li><b>Blaming Others:</b> Many use the "blame game" to keep them from making the effort to pursue dreams.</li>
<li><b>Comparison:</b> A feeling of "insecurity" when compared to others will stall your efforts to pursue your dreams.</li>
</ul>
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My question for you is, "Which one of these is holding you back from pursuing the life that you want, so you can feel the passion and fulfillment that you want in work and life everyday?" To make the necessary changes that you need to make, it is crucial that you identify the reason(s) why, and work through them to joy and fulfillment. Once this barricade to change is gone, your life is FREE to be whatever you want it to be!<br />
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You see, serving in a non-profit association of any type, at any level, is about SERVICE to others. Service is about giving and passing on a passion of value that provides better opportunities for the people or businesses you serve. In the life of SERVING others, "you can't give what you don't have." If your personal life feels empty, unfulfilled, and without meaning, it will come across in your service to your members as you work with them. But, if people are happy and fulfilled at home in their personal life, they will excel at work with less stress and anxiety. Now we can ALL use a little less stress and anxiety...RIGHT?<br />
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An association executive's daily attitude should have fire and passion that drives them to help every member that they come in contact with, not because they have to, but because THEY WANT TO.<br />
To maximize your meaning and fulfillment in your personal life, you must take a look at the four elements that will control 99% of your success in pursuing the quality of life that you want:<br />
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<b>Choices:</b> Your choices throughout your life either expand or limit your opportunities in the future. If you are feeling a sense of frustration in your life, you need to look back at the choices that you made and ask yourself, "Did my choices get me here?" For many, the answer is "yes", and your frustration in life comes from a conflict between what you thought your choices were going to give you, vs. what the real world gave you. <b>Many have people have bad skills at making good choices.</b> It is important you make sure that you make sound choices, from sound information and input from others who also have good choice making skills.<br />
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<b>Time:</b> Is the way you spend your time helping or hurting you in achieving the life that you want? For many, if you look at what their goals in life are, and compare them to their day-timer, you will see very quickly that they will not reach any of their goals. How you spend your time will directly impact whether or not you make your life goals. Take time to look at your goals for the life you want, and at the end of each week, ask yourself, "What did I do this week to help me get closer to reaching my goals?" Sadly, for many it's not one single thing. Connect your time with your goals and you will see an amazing difference in your life achievements...personally and with your association career.<br />
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<b>Money:</b> This is a big one. Money is such an emotional issue for everyone. I gave my son a birthday card once that read, "Money isn't everything. But it sure makes life easier." That is so true. Money can't buy happiness, but it can alleviate many pressures that come our way. If you have ever run tight on money, you know what kind of pressure I'm talking about. How you spend your money, either personally, or in business, will dictate if you make your life's financial goals or not. You can't say, "I want to retire early in life", yet never put any money away in savings. Many big decisions in life come at a cost or investment of money. Make sure you connect your spending habits with your financial goals. The pressures of life will be minimized with the fulfillment that you will have in knowing that you will have the money to reach your goals.<br />
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<b>People: </b> The number one influence on humans is the people that we surround ourselves with. If you surround yourself with good characters, you will have a good character. If you surround yourself with bad characters, you will take on bad characteristics. Why? Because we have a need for acceptance and approval at many levels. Many people with a good character have been lead to make bad choices, in order to gain acceptance from the rebellious crowd that they were hanging out with. If you want to rise in your profession, you must network with people who also want to climb. If you have a certain vision for your life, you must network and hang with people who also have a similar vision. To hang on a regular basis with people who do not engage and encourage your goals and path to achieve them, will hold you back for your entire life. If you are to reach your life goals, sometimes you must make hard choices to minimize your time hanging around people who are not headed in the same direction in life as you are. Does that mean you ignore them? Absolutely not, they are human beings and need to be encouraged to reach their goals as well. <br />
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So I ask you…"Do you know your personal goals in life? Do you know where you would like to be in 1-year, 5-years, 10-years? Do the choices you make, how you spend your money, how you invest your time, and the people you hang out with regularly, support your path to achieving the quality of life you desire and want?"<br />
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If not...it's time to make some changes. Make those changes in the four areas that I talked about, and you will begin to see personal fulfillment, that will come through in your passion and service for your work everyday with your association members. You no longer serve because you have to…you serve because you WANT TO. Big difference!<br />
<br />
<iframe align="right" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="200" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TpbauBhI3s4" width="300"></iframe>If you would like to know more, I launched my new, ground-breaking book on personal development at the Book Expo America show in May 2015 called, <b><i>How to Get People to Scream Your Name and Beg For More</i></b>. This new book is a 360 degree view of your life, and the steps that you need to take to achieve the ultimate life that you desire. Numerous outstanding reviews have come back from highly respected association executives saying how spot on and practical the book is for personal development. I would encourage you to pick up a copy.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/People-Scream-Your-Name-More/product-reviews/B00X89BWTS/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1">CLICK HERE</a> to read Amazon book reviews.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/People-Scream-Your-Name-More/dp/B00X89BWTS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430952788&sr=8-1&keywords=how+to+get+people+to+scream+your+name+and+beg+for+more">CLICK HERE</a> to listen to audio excerpt on Amazon.<br />
<a href="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/54176227/First%20Chapter%20Book.pdf">CLICK HERE</a> to read the first chapter excerpt.<br />
<a href="http://www.screamyournamebook.com/">CLICK HERE</a> to visit the book website and purchase.<br />
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A year from now, you can either stay where you are at today, or you can be on your way to achieving the quality of life you desire...It's your choice.<br />
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<br />Tom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226785420112197806.post-29018267815416422422015-05-12T07:06:00.003-07:002015-05-12T09:06:47.962-07:00Strategic Planning: Issue Driven vs Member Engagement<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzfpJ2t6fOF3Hx5JOotAtj7aJ-B-00pkVYEYIdCBRI-gOKXzscUm-WX9uRuJHvFbRwmeXNYg2ke9M77tRsWW9xoUxo8isr6U-9EutlEp2YASBkPGDvrlbvdcBVuw9WAWoQCaCpt-hAXQ/s1600/IMG_0538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzfpJ2t6fOF3Hx5JOotAtj7aJ-B-00pkVYEYIdCBRI-gOKXzscUm-WX9uRuJHvFbRwmeXNYg2ke9M77tRsWW9xoUxo8isr6U-9EutlEp2YASBkPGDvrlbvdcBVuw9WAWoQCaCpt-hAXQ/s200/IMG_0538.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="background-color: white;">When your next strategic planning retreat takes place, will your board's focus revolve around being "issue driven" or "maximizing member engagement." If yours is like most associations, it will be "issue driven." Typically, boards spend countless hours researching, surveying each other, discussing and looking at what the key issues are within their industry with no considerations to how they impact member engagement. They come up with what their five key initiatives for the coming year, put them in a nice printed document, and over the course of the year write updates and take pictures of how awesome those five initiatives are progressing. Yet many of these associations still have a retention problem. Many members aren't intimately familiar with the strategic plan and think that is something only privy to the board. Hence, they are "not engaged."</span><br />
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Are many of the initiatives taken on by your board and their strategic plan important? YES. But many of the initiatives are not as important day-to-day for many members of an association. They do nothing to draw in and "engage" members into the emotions of the association. Members continue to be just "dues paying" members and not "believers."<br />
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I'm a big believer that strategic planning should start with member engagement, not the issues of the year. Think about this question: "Would you rather have 20% of your members who fully understand and believe in your strategic plan, or would you rather have 80% of your members fully engaged in programs that connect them into the energy of the association?"<br />
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If you look down the benefits list of many associations, past coming to the annual conference or government advocacy, they have little to offer their members. What do members, who don't like to attend meetings or have a distaste for the political process, have as value in an association where these are the two overriding benefits?<br />
Are you an association that has so much focus on intangible benefits, that members can't really see the true value of your association?<br />
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I'm a big believer that it is critical for an association to have as much, or more, value for members who don't attend meetings and don't like the political process, as those that do. Why? BECAUSE THEY MAKE UP THE MAJORITY OF YOUR MEMBERS.<br />
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I recall sitting in a board meeting for an association that I was a volunteer for. One of the staff members gave a report on the membership committee's latest conference call. Having only a few people on the call, they began to talk openly about the list of people who were late on their dues. The Chair of the Membership Committee stated on the call to the staffer, "We are really struggling with these calls. If anyone doesn't come to annual conference, we don't know what to tell them as to why they should renew their membership." WHAT?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlWwECMBtDaNCZNBk4-ny4Zmj-jggV06tc35u1ka2zcYdmpnPhW_lhdJRHUzoIqGQsAmsRkh5dlj7mcwXBgY5xMzVvAJyNvpTJf4wIQVyPYfhrXXz9OgAy8y3Np3JJWDX__PrT66rNyw/s1600/IMG_6795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlWwECMBtDaNCZNBk4-ny4Zmj-jggV06tc35u1ka2zcYdmpnPhW_lhdJRHUzoIqGQsAmsRkh5dlj7mcwXBgY5xMzVvAJyNvpTJf4wIQVyPYfhrXXz9OgAy8y3Np3JJWDX__PrT66rNyw/s200/IMG_6795.JPG" width="200" /></a>Is your association in this space of "perceived" value, or lack of value past your annual conference? ...Or do you have a value proposition that is tangible and drives member engagement so members feel and touch your value every day, week, and month?<br />
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I would challenge every association to look at your value proposition and ask yourself, "If we had no meetings and did not participate in government advocacy, what is the real value to our members?"<br />
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If you have little value, your association is always at risk of low retention and churning members to replace those that leave. You sell membership hard, sell a lot of intangibles, and once they are in and realize that you have little tangible value, they leave. This is a problem for revenues, volunteers and the strength of the association.<br />
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Our association is highly "member engagement" driven in our strategic plan, and have been since 2006. The numbers are incredible! Since 2006, we have had a steady 13% increase in membership, our per member revenue is up 33%, our non-dues revenue is up 133% on an annual basis, and our net worth has grown over 1,000%. All because we put most of our focus on programs and services that deliver direct and tangible benefits to our members.<br />
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Hear me out on this. When your net worth grows a 1,000%, your Board has the financial resources, and incredible flexibility to take risk on issues important to your membership. You see, when members are engaged, it creates the strength to drive issues important to your association. However, if you drive issues, it doesn't drive member engagement.<br />
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As you approach your Fall leadership retreat with your Board, think about approaching your plan from a perspective of, "What programs or services could we do to engage 80% of our members in something that would be meaningful to their career or company?" If you do that successfully, you will see engagement, loyalty and retention go to levels you could only wish for.<br />
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Do what our board did in 2006... Take the <a href="http://www.associationrevolution.com/">Association Revolution Challenge</a>, an intense full day strategy session that puts member engagement at the center of the mission.<br />
<br />Tom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226785420112197806.post-23638710879085249672015-04-20T04:31:00.004-07:002015-04-20T05:01:31.470-07:00Meeting Innovations...How a "Silent Party" Changed Networking<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Vsw3tx4ucvFx0Qq6QRllGYzaKXmErfxaNpDmtqdcPifM_os5JiE-ecSAGtOiNJd1BTuMmQ7owLDidLJoJgFb8O1tV5mRLenNiDTdnZp_0F0GuFwWPOqoFJjn5lPo-bdB3Z-XD5Xm1uA/s1600/IMG_1528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Vsw3tx4ucvFx0Qq6QRllGYzaKXmErfxaNpDmtqdcPifM_os5JiE-ecSAGtOiNJd1BTuMmQ7owLDidLJoJgFb8O1tV5mRLenNiDTdnZp_0F0GuFwWPOqoFJjn5lPo-bdB3Z-XD5Xm1uA/s1600/IMG_1528.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>If your annual meetings are anything like ours, you have an incredible array of social functions and general sessions that engage the senses and emotions of attendees. Our goal is to deliver an experience that far outweighs the educational content. Yes, content is important and is a chief part of the agenda, but we want our members talking for years about the experience.<br />
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I was told once, early on in my career, that no one will ever remember what they learned at a conference, but they will remember the experience and memories you provided for them. I took that message to heart. In the planning stages of any meeting we ask ourselves, "What is going to be the "X" factor at this meeting that people will say years from now, 'Remember in 2014 when they did…?'" <br />
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As with any conference, networking is a key function at our meetings. At every event you can hear the buzz of people talking over anything and everything having to do with business and personal life. Each event fosters that networking atmosphere...except for our final night dinner. Our final night dinner, like most, is a fun-filled evening that ends with a live band for dancing and entertainment.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oNAmm6hgh_NQFVmEsuKhyphenhyphenwyHjf61QFcHMwQSEd6rJ5xlmWGJb2DePhEf94f9Y96Th8QdPL9grU1w6-sxAG3300cRZH-9LhESVkiOB3ftO-xjdExwGVYZ_R5ZtOc_hxxx3x06v5rqNxc/s1600/IMG_9400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oNAmm6hgh_NQFVmEsuKhyphenhyphenwyHjf61QFcHMwQSEd6rJ5xlmWGJb2DePhEf94f9Y96Th8QdPL9grU1w6-sxAG3300cRZH-9LhESVkiOB3ftO-xjdExwGVYZ_R5ZtOc_hxxx3x06v5rqNxc/s1600/IMG_9400.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
The challenge we have always faced is that you can never get a band to play low enough so people don't have to try to talk over the band in order to be able to network effectively. Our final night dinner always played out the same once the band kicked off. With 190 people at dinner, a third of the group would leave and go back to their rooms as soon as the band started playing...due to the band being too loud. Another third would go into the foyer to network, and the final third would stay in the room with the band and enjoy dancing. The band fragmented the group, simply because of the volume, and by 10:00 pm the room would be almost empty…except for the remaining 10-20 die hard dancers. <br />
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<b>Enter the "Silent Party"</b><br />
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When we started planning this year's spring meeting, we discussed at length how we always get a lot of feedback on the volume of the live band and that networking is impossible. Many didn't like it because a lot of key people would leave and go back to their room, thus limiting the networking opportunities.<br />
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This year, I proposed to our Programming Committee that we try the "Silent Party" concept that I had experienced on a cruise last year. For anyone not familiar with a Silent Party, it's pretty simple. You have whatever type of music playing over the house sound. When you kick off the dance party, there are two DJ's at the front of the room, and beside them are sets of high quality music headsets...playing dance music on two completely different channels. Those who want to dance can come up, grab a headset, put it on, and dance the night away. It is awesome because you can switch back and forth between the channels, so if you don't like what's playing on one channel, you switch to the other one. The DJ's have mics that they use to talk to the dancers to keep them engaged in the music and the experience.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ShjbUmAeecuJG_r_q_Cqq_xSccCqg0nuTRjSN9qA3Bt2uYeTT1J7umZgl-T9zpu2l9WsPUthAKcDJh6589_YWtXr7375Gd3uSJg2dLGYbvH3iZ7dzh2zyd27zASmHa-GmrVHMeOTJv8/s1600/IMG_6295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ShjbUmAeecuJG_r_q_Cqq_xSccCqg0nuTRjSN9qA3Bt2uYeTT1J7umZgl-T9zpu2l9WsPUthAKcDJh6589_YWtXr7375Gd3uSJg2dLGYbvH3iZ7dzh2zyd27zASmHa-GmrVHMeOTJv8/s1600/IMG_6295.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a>The beauty of the Silent Party is that it solves everything. Dancers can come to the dance floor and enjoy<br />
a fun and exciting experience. Those who don't dance can stay in the room, listen to light music, and not need to scream just to talk, plus they can have a few laughs watching the dancers with headphones on.<br />
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RESULTS of the Silent Party? Where a live band drove off 70% or more of the crowd by 10:00 pm, we still had 80%+ of our dinner group in the room at 10:45 pm. People were actively engaged in networking, having fun, and enjoying the evening because we removed the obstacle that stood in the way….the live band.<br />
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This is not to say that we will never have a live band again, but it proved to us that we don't need live entertainment to have a great night. Another lesson learned is that some of your members, who love to dance, will not buy into the concept because they like the live music atmosphere, and some will not want to wear headsets. <br />
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What I will tell you is that if the goal of your dinner is to foster networking, then you should give the Silent Party, or something like it a try. People who always leave early thought it was one of the most innovative dinner concepts they have ever seen.<br />
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The moral of this story is:<br />
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- Know what your "real goal" of an event is.<br />
- Pay attention to what your attendees are saying in your surveys.<br />
- Think outside the box in solving the problem.<br />
<br />
We thought our goal was to provide entertainment on the final night…we had it wrong. Our goal is to foster an environment that creates an opportunity for <b>everyone</b> to participate…the Silent Part did just that.Tom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226785420112197806.post-58553797971394612272015-04-06T18:05:00.002-07:002015-04-07T05:16:23.548-07:00So You Think You Are In The Membership Recruitment Business?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaOm1NFUKIqmzIpq2uqwN_rIGkta0-kO71xBtN9PqBikYbTWgoAcriq30TvYlXKEJxgbprf0CAJbHTKGrl8LEIdVQ0zWwPPc_jjl0iqi4yl16S4UF3-d59c194FPME47vctolVPJbOx8/s1600/Net+Res+vs+Memb+Visual.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaOm1NFUKIqmzIpq2uqwN_rIGkta0-kO71xBtN9PqBikYbTWgoAcriq30TvYlXKEJxgbprf0CAJbHTKGrl8LEIdVQ0zWwPPc_jjl0iqi4yl16S4UF3-d59c194FPME47vctolVPJbOx8/s1600/Net+Res+vs+Memb+Visual.png" height="308" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">When you look at your association, do you really know what business you are in? When you look at many association's business models, you would think they are in the membership recruitment business.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Everything they do is about recruiting new members. Yes, they pay some attention to current members, but the raw focus is, "How many members did we recruit this year over last year?" </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Yet, nothing in your bylaws or governing documents say that recruiting more members furthers your mission.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Is recruiting more members important? Absolutely. However, I believe we are in the membership engagement business, NOT membership recruitment. Many associations sacrifice retention and engagement to put a full court press on recruitment.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The picture you see at the above right is the visual trend display of our association's growth of total membership, versus our growth of total net reserves. In that same time frame, our per member revenue (membership engagement metric) has risen over 35%. Current members are spending more dollars with the association because we have been focused on building high value. That value in programs is far beyond government advocacy and annual conferences. I know many associations who give you a blank stare when you ask them what their value proposition is for those members who don't like the government process and don't attend meetings. They have NONE.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0x2iwPQPwV1lShEH3LwlB-5np21CPAvBxiFyn78uLZ7yOl76LirbwapFfTMMM4IGWa-_5z_e7fe-1ZdMA4Xdf31gKBjDrpUOvQM9OSSt0M82WkvfcFHHJrSamXJd0QwPT5LMGsyiOJE/s1600/IMG_9608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0x2iwPQPwV1lShEH3LwlB-5np21CPAvBxiFyn78uLZ7yOl76LirbwapFfTMMM4IGWa-_5z_e7fe-1ZdMA4Xdf31gKBjDrpUOvQM9OSSt0M82WkvfcFHHJrSamXJd0QwPT5LMGsyiOJE/s1600/IMG_9608.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Hear me out. It is critical that your members who don't participate in government advocacy and meetings have just as high a value proposition as those who do. Having that value will drive dollars spent by members with the association. As more members get engaged, and word gets out that your association is doing things to transform their companies, other non-member companies will want to jump in.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Here is the cool part. Because your have such a strong value proposition and strong retention rate, you can put focus on your mission, protecting the way your members do business, and taking risk on member's behalf. So how do you grow your association through nice, steady increases in membership that drive strong retention, higher per member revenue, and strong growth in your net reserves?</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">If your current membership is engaging in your member programs, meetings, and volunteering, you have a great story to tell those who are not members. If your member engagement is lacking, why would a non-member want to be a member if current members don't even participate? </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">For this reason, I believe associations should put focus on value and member engagement FIRST, and everything else will follow. This leads me to my simple math equation for effective association growth in membership, revenues, and financial strength:</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Board Innovation (BI) <span style="color: red;">plus</span> Staff Execution (SE) <span style="color: red;">times </span>Wow Factor (WF) <span style="color: red;">equals</span> Maximum Member Engagement (MME) <span style="color: red;">plus</span> Financial Security (FS)</b></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">For associations to sustain themselves long term, they must have maximum member engagement and financial security. If you lack either one, your association will perform average, at best. If you don't have a good level of member engagement, many will say that you don't represent enough people to speak for your industry. ...or "your benefits and services appear to benefit just a few, and not the full membership", or "why join, your current members don't see any value?" If you don't have financial security, then you don't have the financial resources to take risk for your members and invest in the necessary programs to meet your mission.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">So what are the three things necessary to have Maximum Member Engagement (MME) and Financial Security (FS)? You can make a list a mile long if you would like, but it really boils down to 3 categories which all others fall into:</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Board Innovation (BI)</b><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HJy2F3ZYEKW-4eWZcfIbiSjbHAht90pySishdXjig3Q0yYyZRiGlMxz0jmMO7p0hBEcBh1DE1rBlKfVaaEmEoDMLoHQXF7AxzgW_OaMLyr4uMYAM0hM2HQpOpV24miQswyD-CjWn8DM/s1600/IMG_4055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HJy2F3ZYEKW-4eWZcfIbiSjbHAht90pySishdXjig3Q0yYyZRiGlMxz0jmMO7p0hBEcBh1DE1rBlKfVaaEmEoDMLoHQXF7AxzgW_OaMLyr4uMYAM0hM2HQpOpV24miQswyD-CjWn8DM/s1600/IMG_4055.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Board innovation comes from having a business savvy mindset from your Executive Committee and CEO that filters down to your full Board. This group must lead the way for the rest of the board to get outside the box and think creatively about how they can engage the members in new ways. They must create programs and meeting structures that hit at the heart of their member needs. It's critical for the board to, at least every two years, analyze the question, "What can we do together for our members that they can't do for themselves effectively?" Answering this question is the key to maximizing your value proposition. Remember, non-members come to an association to help solve major problems. Do you know what their problems are and are you solving them?</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Staff Execution (SE)</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Once the board has a sound direction for the association to take, the next phase is staff execution. This is a blend of staff working with the key volunteers (when needed) to execute each program, service, committee work, and meeting, to empower your members to accomplish the association mission. When people see real change and results happening within the membership and their own experience, they become excited and tell others. Members want to see excellence within their staff, they want to have a confidence that the staff is passionate about their association, and that they take pride in doing it with excellence.</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">WOW Factor (WF)</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This speaks for itself. In everything that your association provides for your membership, does it exemplify excitement, passion, and an emotional experience that draws them into your association? This is everything, from the way you answer the phone at your association offices, to the entertainment you provide at your conferences. Members should "feel" your membership…not just purchase it.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Bottom line, do you have an effective membership engagement strategy? If not, you should start today. The future of your association depends on it.</span>Tom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226785420112197806.post-31008484117003895362015-03-31T10:33:00.003-07:002015-03-31T10:44:35.065-07:00You Need to Become the CEO of Your Life<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhcexw02T7H1UydPDXZ-muhycN7tFvNpA5dvv4l5mScj2dZXbdBfBJeyoCQJ5Ttj8xbJCoRx2c2VaVTrfKrctLBkbb_CvS9NQMQYvtkWfSx1dOSI5NzBRa23mfPel1QRNEAtfCCejDLs/s1600/IMG_4227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhcexw02T7H1UydPDXZ-muhycN7tFvNpA5dvv4l5mScj2dZXbdBfBJeyoCQJ5Ttj8xbJCoRx2c2VaVTrfKrctLBkbb_CvS9NQMQYvtkWfSx1dOSI5NzBRa23mfPel1QRNEAtfCCejDLs/s1600/IMG_4227.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Working in the world of associations is such a
fulfilling and rewarding opportunity. We get to live out our passion for
helping people, while watching our efforts having a dramatic impact on life,
business, and industry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">However, sometimes it becomes more like a job, than
a passion, and we begin to feel burnt out with all the demands that can come
from serving people. I remember hearing a speaker say, “We aren’t growing burnt
out because we are over-worked. We are burnt out because we have forgotten why
we do what we do.” That was so profound to me when I heard it, and it caused me
to look internally at myself. The person was right…you can not give what you do
not have. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">In the world of non-profit work, we need to have passion
and purpose in our own lives, so we are able to give passion and purpose to our
members. However, with our own personal lives as busy as our work life, it can
be a real challenge. In those moments of your life when you think your
circumstances are at their worst, remember…things are never as bad as they seem,
and you have more control of your circumstances than you think. It is at that
moment, that you need to become the CEO of your own life and take control.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZtWgHELyWRRECEc7kAbIhSaZpypZeLcJkM_RJB78_xlFUKVAUgJlsYO95kdMf9syRKJbz_jhPYLwVURkLSM1M63TsMIiTrZ8yRxy7CJECpPH7dZ0xnchnqH0ixe18vuihgb4o0k3b0c/s1600/IMG_2616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZtWgHELyWRRECEc7kAbIhSaZpypZeLcJkM_RJB78_xlFUKVAUgJlsYO95kdMf9syRKJbz_jhPYLwVURkLSM1M63TsMIiTrZ8yRxy7CJECpPH7dZ0xnchnqH0ixe18vuihgb4o0k3b0c/s1600/IMG_2616.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">As I listen, study, and look into the lives of the
thousands of people I meet every year, I’ve come to believe that each one of us
has a “quality of life” in mind that we would like to be living on a day-to-day
basis. It’s a quality of life that brings fulfillment, passion, joy, love,
rewards, and a stress-free life. For most, when they look at where that quality
of life is, and the actual quality of life they are experiencing, there is a
gap. For some, the gap is small, but for many, the gap is huge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Many are waiting on life to happen in some fashion. Waiting
on enough spare time to begin to enjoy life. Waiting on enough business to seize
opportunities in the market. Waiting on enough money to have a child. Waiting
on the market to change to buy a house. Waiting on the ideal life partner to
make you feel loved. Waiting on retirement to start experiencing your bucket
list. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Waiting, waiting, waiting...
Waiting for WHAT?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">One day you wake up and you’ve lost 20 years of your life
waiting in the rut of work, kids growing up, and just life happening. Your soul
feels lost, your heart passionless, and your energy tank is on empty. It’s time
to stop waiting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my life, it’s that life
doesn’t happen to you, life is what you make a choice to do, and what
opportunities you seize when they come your way. Everyday, people have opportunities
dropped in their lap, yet they choose to NOT seize the moment and take
advantage of them. A great quality of life doesn’t just come to you. YOU make
it happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWIC5_uMf_JbyPIH8gcqkDtiyS94hsEJWlyE9vlDQYg9GTJayAcJVfBL9NGZrk9AhE91l3DIBEdMihVgimFyTvXj9x8umC6W-N4B5pxoL8fC0frgVT4Krl9w9E8Z9ub9-annXv_nW7Uw/s1600/IMG_7791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWIC5_uMf_JbyPIH8gcqkDtiyS94hsEJWlyE9vlDQYg9GTJayAcJVfBL9NGZrk9AhE91l3DIBEdMihVgimFyTvXj9x8umC6W-N4B5pxoL8fC0frgVT4Krl9w9E8Z9ub9-annXv_nW7Uw/s1600/IMG_7791.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">In my opinion, to make the quality of life happen that
you desire, there are four essential areas of life that you must have a plan
for. Your plan isn’t some, “I’ll wing it” type plan, but a plan that has been
well thought out. For each area, you need to work through what you want, the
threats to making it happen, and the steps you need to take to achieve it. The
four areas of life to plan for are:</span></div>
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Career</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Relationships</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Financial</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Physical
Health</span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Each of these four areas drive everything in your
life from family, retirement, to professional development. If anyone of these
areas is lacking, it will have a negative impact on your ability to achieve the
quality of life you want.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">To help people achieve maximum success in these
four areas, I’ve developed what I call <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The</i>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Path to the Ultimate Life</i> visual. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Path to the Ultimate Life</i> visual has
four blocks on the inside that I call “Pillars,” and four words on the outside
that I call “Characteristics.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HZmNKLNCxDem4Z3-vxNKFjJvfblPvjl0CNc4PkbuEpxzsdQOKcy_NFwhSH_ypJW0JiVOwqYCUX8wEdYs0VGhpLkWlYLP5gjwRy2MYaRMx8M27FTe9BJI1UzBLC0b4IK-lgJukeSRdZ4/s1600/STEPSUltLife-3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HZmNKLNCxDem4Z3-vxNKFjJvfblPvjl0CNc4PkbuEpxzsdQOKcy_NFwhSH_ypJW0JiVOwqYCUX8wEdYs0VGhpLkWlYLP5gjwRy2MYaRMx8M27FTe9BJI1UzBLC0b4IK-lgJukeSRdZ4/s1600/STEPSUltLife-3.png" height="284" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">The four Pillars on the inside are the four forces
that have the most impact on the four key areas on your life mentioned earlier.
They are:</span></div>
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17pt; text-indent: 0in;">Choices (How you make them)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17pt; text-indent: 0in;">Money (How you spend it)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17pt; text-indent: 0in;">Time (How you invest it)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17pt; text-indent: 0in;">People (Who you surround yourself with)</span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">The four words on the outside are the four Characteristics
that you must have to do the fours Pillars with excellence. Those are:</span></div>
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</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17pt; text-indent: 0in;">Attitude (It must be positive and good)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17pt; text-indent: 0in;">Ability to Adapt (You must embrace change)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17pt; text-indent: 0in;">Communication (A skill set you need to master)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17pt; text-indent: 0in;">Perseverance (Nothing worth having is easy. Never
give up)</span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">I contend that if your life is not going the way
you want, or if you are not getting the fulfillment out of life you want, one or
more of the four Pillars are out of alignment, or you lack the skills in one or
more of the four Characteristics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">The questions for you to ask yourself are:</span></div>
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<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-TZ3WrlT-g5IiHI97kDdGdS6mt7g6McCqqun_KtxlGv-Jh6GL8y0cZ2aomYqK22KtXR_885aPXpsWPA07F6zoz8dO93Qn_KV-H-p_v9Kc2Hj7voULvs1hYCEp1wqzlo9rQof5D9qFAA/s1600/HowToGetPeople+Cover+MAR15+FINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-TZ3WrlT-g5IiHI97kDdGdS6mt7g6McCqqun_KtxlGv-Jh6GL8y0cZ2aomYqK22KtXR_885aPXpsWPA07F6zoz8dO93Qn_KV-H-p_v9Kc2Hj7voULvs1hYCEp1wqzlo9rQof5D9qFAA/s1600/HowToGetPeople+Cover+MAR15+FINAL.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">How big of a
gap do you have between the quality of life that you want, and the actual
quality of life that you are experiencing?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">What Pillars
are out of alignment, and what Characteristics do you need to work on, to make
change and close your quality of life gap?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">What steps do
you need to take to make it happen?</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Life is short. The time to start living your
passion and purpose is now. Everyone from your family, friends, coworkers, and
members will see a difference in you as you begin to live the quality of life
you desire. Work on the four Pillars and four Characteristics, and bring them
all in alignment with your quality of life goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good luck in your journey to living the ultimate life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">This blog is a part of an exert from my new 25-chapter book, on <i>How to Get People to Scream Your Name and Beg For More</i>. See full details at <a href="http://screamyournamebook.com./">ScreamYourNameBook.com.</a></span></div>
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Tom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226785420112197806.post-41208699360545396982015-03-12T11:27:00.003-07:002015-03-12T11:45:11.929-07:00We Think We Are In A Game Of "Simon Says"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMwO8v0Lgq8KScg6XTeFNzxGuEpUrnUtOZHQWqd4Q9OSU_jFGhao-oD0vI6MzwDBRTbiNfNI8gqSLTkWrehuH4YDB6Lo3g4Z68WOSZLhWER347w0hWQrInI8neE3EcXk20mVLgMLSQEw/s1600/IMG_8250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMwO8v0Lgq8KScg6XTeFNzxGuEpUrnUtOZHQWqd4Q9OSU_jFGhao-oD0vI6MzwDBRTbiNfNI8gqSLTkWrehuH4YDB6Lo3g4Z68WOSZLhWER347w0hWQrInI8neE3EcXk20mVLgMLSQEw/s1600/IMG_8250.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a>As I enter my 20th year of association management, I have come to realize that many association executives lose sleep at night, have conflicting emotions with their board/volunteers, and seem frustrated over the leadership direction of their associations. This frustration comes from a passion to run the association as if it's their own business....but it's not.<br />
<br />
You, as the executive, know what the best practices are. You know how prepared leaders should be to make key decisions, and that they should leave their personalities at the door. Many times, volunteers and board members don't care about best practices...don't consider all the information available for a key decision, and many even bring their personal agenda's with them.<br />
<br />
Those three elements can create frustration for association executives at any level, given that volunteers aren't working in the business of the association everyday. Volunteers get to peek in and make big picture choices, that on occasion, make you grit your teeth. They vote "yes" or "no" on an issue that goes against what you know to be best practices for associations that are growing.<br />
<br />
I want to offer advice, provide encouragement, and offer hope to leaders of associations. You must remember:<br />
<br />
1) The association is not your party. It's their party.<br />
2) As staff executives, you are not in a game of "Simon Says"...you are in a game of "Chess."<br />
<br />
Let me further explain these.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLibFSRSnwVMHINhlPJkKwcP8FBnD5PABveYiOMr0kJoc-4j5f3Kaph_eZa77c6eVFQHWF8R0_WzO0bOoi7PwQbUBdE0oNUDs8oCkRDekYTeN7gJMbi78BQ25xmCtlfKULgHfEip1ayPQ/s1600/IMG_6412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLibFSRSnwVMHINhlPJkKwcP8FBnD5PABveYiOMr0kJoc-4j5f3Kaph_eZa77c6eVFQHWF8R0_WzO0bOoi7PwQbUBdE0oNUDs8oCkRDekYTeN7gJMbi78BQ25xmCtlfKULgHfEip1ayPQ/s1600/IMG_6412.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>IT'S THEIR PARTY</b><br />
The association was created and designed for your members, and controlled by your members. They get the final say. I think this rubs many association executives the wrong way, because they grow into feeling that the association is theirs because they take pride in it, and have a passion for the cause and membership. However, at the end of the day, it's their party. Their decisions. Their consequences for the decisions they make. You need to be a great facilitator of the process that allows your Board and volunteers to create the association that they want to serve them. Many have unengaged boards. Many have engaged boards. Some have awesome value. Many have little value. Your role as an association executive is to help your Board and volunteers to discover the value that can expand the association membership, strength, and engagement, in the industry that you serve. The key is to know when to lead your Board, and when to facilitate your Board. No matter what you believe the decision should be, an effective association executive always provides the right information for the decision, and the consequences of voting one way or another, so the Board can make an informed decision and can live with the consequences of the vote, whether positive or negative.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-b5P3ulmPQISrIOjjvJz96raKxoWuJ1kcPeOsePyYs2baxF6eW3ii81cLBwZFnW8c0YN4w2JWhbDgCXHb_tyZ_lkq1dm9hON0UXPqufdPbA0Qnmbz79t6HLhgbCo5BfQysLwtxwurgsY/s1600/IMG_6795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-b5P3ulmPQISrIOjjvJz96raKxoWuJ1kcPeOsePyYs2baxF6eW3ii81cLBwZFnW8c0YN4w2JWhbDgCXHb_tyZ_lkq1dm9hON0UXPqufdPbA0Qnmbz79t6HLhgbCo5BfQysLwtxwurgsY/s1600/IMG_6795.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><b>WE ARE NOT IN A GAME OF "SIMON SAYS", BUT A GAME OF "CHESS"</b><br />
Because we lose sight in thinking that it's "our party", we can fall prey to thinking that we are living in a game of "Simon Says," Simon says, "You will be prepared for the Board Meeting." Simon says, "You will read the monthly financials every month." Simon says, "You will read all committee reports." Simon says, Simon says, Simon says. What frustrates many association executives is that many aren't ready for a Board meeting, they don't look at the financials, and don't read the committee reports. They aren't listening to "Simon Says" in order to make what we feel is a good choice. Once you realize that you are not in a game of "Simon Says," but rather, a game of "Chess," you can relax and breathe a bit, and begin to use your people skills to motivate your Board members and volunteers. You see, each volunteer moves and makes decisions differently. Like Chess, some move diagonally, some move one space at a time, some jump up two spots and then sideways once, and some move wherever they want to...whenever they want to. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, you just need to realize it, embrace the reality, and then manage it well. Each of your volunteers comes with different education, styles, and experiences, accumulated over their lifetime. It's important as an association executive, that you be able to recognize those differences, and discover how each "chess piece" within your volunteer base moves, so you can effectively work with them to stay focused on the mission, to expand your value, membership, engagement, and strength.<br />
<br />
I know many reading this don't like the element of "politics," or managing personalities in life, but if you are an association executive, that is an element that you chose when you accepted the job as CEO or Director of a department of an association.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GnPOWkZSJuNvv-22CE6IEJnJA0V6lWOHIe_5kJSM9vuvEmQECJvLpj_arairCWwxx7cx_WaVVA3Y7KJ3Cg1jwn9HVOGCALPgNOhLyfIzPjKTkzN5VSWbk5-QEJEu7ysWqqdg8njw0pQ/s1600/IMG_5195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GnPOWkZSJuNvv-22CE6IEJnJA0V6lWOHIe_5kJSM9vuvEmQECJvLpj_arairCWwxx7cx_WaVVA3Y7KJ3Cg1jwn9HVOGCALPgNOhLyfIzPjKTkzN5VSWbk5-QEJEu7ysWqqdg8njw0pQ/s1600/IMG_5195.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><b>In conclusion, here are a few tips to help you sleep at night:</b><br />
<ol>
<li>Remember, it's their party.</li>
<li>Learn to play a good game of "personality chess" with people so you can connect with your leaders.</li>
<li>Study the various personality styles so you know how to speak into their strengths.</li>
<li>Provide them all the information, both good and bad, so they can make great decisions.</li>
<li>Always provide the consequences, both good and bad, so they can live with the outcome of their decision.</li>
<li>Make sure to document decisions effectively so you can point back to policy for future Boards.</li>
</ol>
<br />
Stay passionate. Keep the fire burning. Stay the course. We all make a huge difference in people's lives in the arena of association management. Take great pride in that, because you're not just strong...you're association strong.Tom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226785420112197806.post-47896405947843645802015-02-10T10:09:00.003-08:002015-02-10T10:15:22.033-08:00The Key to Recruiting the Next Generation... It's Very Clear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqRUW-4P-aUfwnxAfVM5F3IXK-g0v28uoHmtlU_fqPaO0Y1yDKMemLy1JSJNd6G6v3kCbogOdNzevE17GIBKft6H2hX5FUieqQWvSBG7EBSyhBB4ZlfMu476d4GWRvSeZ9ttgVbeOJS4/s1600/DRB_7672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqRUW-4P-aUfwnxAfVM5F3IXK-g0v28uoHmtlU_fqPaO0Y1yDKMemLy1JSJNd6G6v3kCbogOdNzevE17GIBKft6H2hX5FUieqQWvSBG7EBSyhBB4ZlfMu476d4GWRvSeZ9ttgVbeOJS4/s1600/DRB_7672.jpg" height="128" width="200" /></a></div>
You know... funny thing about how data jumps right in your face and says, "It's so apparent what the answer is to a question." For years associations have been squirming to find a solution or path to have a deep value proposition to recruiting the next set of volunteer leaders and members. People have said they aren't joiners. Well if you don't relate to them, YES that could be true. People have said they won't pay dues. Well if you don't have value, YES that could be true.<br />
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However, if you look at some crucial data, it is crystal clear WHERE the value and benefit of an association is for the younger generation. Try and follow me here...<br />
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Everyone keeps talking about how the younger generation will have like 10 jobs before they are 35. I keep asking myself... "Where are those jobs going to come from?" If you look at the demographic of our population, here is how they breakdown according to a nationally known demographer, Kenneth Gronbach:<br />
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- 78,000,000 - Baby Boomers (Born 1945 - 1965)<br />
- 69,000,000 - Gen X (Borm 1966 - 1985)<br />
- 100,000,000 - Gen Y (Born 1986 - 2010)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeSz2ZuHSDQf_zJmIV1YhUcyeXQ70_z1h3LqElllm4RQkY-eGkwVhAd5XCNJ0bxWjlDUK_mhxbuED-SOiI7JDdtRUMr0-cbXQWEI9-7MW8cf226bB004z7oW9jatyuQGA4NUk0yC-BmY/s1600/All+the+Kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeSz2ZuHSDQf_zJmIV1YhUcyeXQ70_z1h3LqElllm4RQkY-eGkwVhAd5XCNJ0bxWjlDUK_mhxbuED-SOiI7JDdtRUMr0-cbXQWEI9-7MW8cf226bB004z7oW9jatyuQGA4NUk0yC-BmY/s1600/All+the+Kids.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
The coming generation of young people is massive. Here is the hook when you understand the numbers. Baby boomers worked in the same job for 30 years and retired. They didn't job hop because they were more loyal than other generations. They didn't job hop because there weren't any great paying jobs laying around because their generation was so large. There were plenty of executive candidates for most every job.<br />
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Fast forward to Gen X. I can remember in the 90's seeing articles on how companies were giving ski vacations, flex time off and all kinds of other benefits to attract top talent. Why do you think they had to do this? Look at the numbers. There are 9,000,000 few people meaning there were more executive jobs than there were qualified candidates. Employers had to give away benefits to attract the best.<br />
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Now here comes Gen Y. 100,000,000 of them. I'm telling you they will not be job hoppers because there won't be enough top jobs to fill. There will be many more candidates for management and executive positions than there are jobs. I've told all my kids in their early 20's to find a great job with a good company and ride that wave to retirement. Supply of management is going to be plentiful and you will not get to jump from ship to ship.<br />
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Here is the hook. If you are a young person and you are let go of your job through reorganization or <br />
any other reason, don't you want to have three to four companies on speed dial that have told you, "If you ever decide to leave, come talk to us." When young people are in the interview process for a management or executive position, don't you think they need to set themselves apart from the competition by demonstrating on their resume they are an active participant in the industry? Of course.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngrLvMk_k4OOtcKsh1pxEQ5Tj2YRpUFYKctDSxWrNY3k-Xg3vmgCgJoSGNPxGLxiKFlyyd9a_2FcfFVF2cTh1wsxJh4KA9PvWEH4SrDFDKjwrQqYK6iQ8KbszLOuqx2zQrEFMB3sEoRU/s1600/FB+profile+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngrLvMk_k4OOtcKsh1pxEQ5Tj2YRpUFYKctDSxWrNY3k-Xg3vmgCgJoSGNPxGLxiKFlyyd9a_2FcfFVF2cTh1wsxJh4KA9PvWEH4SrDFDKjwrQqYK6iQ8KbszLOuqx2zQrEFMB3sEoRU/s1600/FB+profile+pic.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a>This provides the golden hook for every association, especial professional societies. Over the next twenty years, young people are going to want to have a connected network of people who "want to hire them if they were ever available" as well as "a list of training and industry projects they have been involved with" to let the employer know, I'm great, I excel and I'm good for your company.<br />
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If you have ever been let go from a job, you know how frustrating it is to find a new job. You spend months sending out resumes and collecting unemployment longer than you want. Your anxiety levels rise to all time stress levels. It seems all your friends who landed jobs... Knew Someone!<br />
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Well where did they meet that someone? In a network from within their industry. Two things things young people will need when they find themselves without a job:<br />
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- A network who knows their qualifications without a resume because they are involved<br />
- A list of engagement in the industry to separate them from the competition <br />
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I recently shared this philosophy with a recent association during my presentation and I looked over and the President had a big smile on his face. I asked him later what the smile was and he said, "I just figured out out new slogan for the next generation. Why join our association? The time to build your network of people is not when you are fired." I thought that was quick thinking.<br />
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You choose to do what you want with the data as an association. But I'm here to tell you, if you have ever been let go from a job and wondered what your next steps should be. You get to choose to send out 250 resumes a week for 6 months or make 3 phone calls and have a position by week's end from someone you are connected with through the association who already knows your value as an executive.<br />
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I don't know about you but I see opportunity and strategy for the future. <br />
<br />Tom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226785420112197806.post-76889051170617003702015-02-03T10:31:00.000-08:002015-02-03T10:36:44.313-08:00Member Engagement Solves Everything.... An Interview With Tom Morrison<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkV6viK3js7cZTrzWYNtzaGxY7tOq46E48gnSrRKwkj2eyNdDozYmzR_KutC5X0-yvNPph16-RqcHVsrFHRQIIRQIub0jw2Vx8bD2dPMf5nAuolxm3UpVV7_BNOa5BxmQIa5V00ckZF4/s1600/IMG_1044-4-edut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkV6viK3js7cZTrzWYNtzaGxY7tOq46E48gnSrRKwkj2eyNdDozYmzR_KutC5X0-yvNPph16-RqcHVsrFHRQIIRQIub0jw2Vx8bD2dPMf5nAuolxm3UpVV7_BNOa5BxmQIa5V00ckZF4/s1600/IMG_1044-4-edut.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a>As we have completed another year at our association and I look back at our success in Board innovation, program participation, past presidents staying involved, leadership development, next generation involvement, non-dues revenues programs growing and active volunteerism, it boils down to one factor: MEMBER ENGAGEMENT<br />
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It is crucial if you are going to pull your association into a place of growth, strength and overall loyalty that you have an intentional membership engagement strategy in every area. <br />
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Recently I was interviewed by the Michigan's Business Network as a part of an online radio program with the Michigan Society of Association Executives on how engagement impacts associations, staff and volunteers. Every employee of your association should listen to this program. <br />
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<a href="http://www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/blog/to-grow-your-organizations-membership-your-staff-comes-first">CLICK HERE</a> to visit the radio interview page.<br />
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<b>IMPORTANT:</b> Once on the page, scroll to bottom and click on the PLAY Icon.<br />
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Make member engagement your top priority in 2015 and 2016. If your current members aren't engaged, what makes you think non-members will want to join.<br />
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<div>
Just before the year turned to 2015, I wrote part one of 6 Steps to <b>Creating a Tropical Paradise Out of a Tropical Storm</b>. These 6 steps are an absolute key for your association if you are going to be successful in the next 10 years. Remember, success is not some magical discovery that just happens. Success comes from a set of well thought out strategies with purpose, that keeps you focused on your target, and passion to drive your actions and flexibility to adapt and seize unforeseen opportunities.<br />
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The first three I discussed in part one were:<br />
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<b>ONE: </b>Blend Young and Old to Maximize Energy and Wisdom</div>
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<b>TWO: </b>Build Your Internal Technical Knowledge and Leadership Upstream</div>
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<b>THREE: </b>Be On The Cutting Edge of Technology</div>
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The next three steps to creating a tropical paradise out of a tropicaal storm are as follows:<br />
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<b>FOUR: Excite Your Customer - Do You Have Rock Star Status?</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs18z1xtvOjuQrB4IwIaswkdE5oo-lHa9OqrDOw2EeCNDqxlC26zIXc9kQbm12FTViRh4E8PccgcwtGjLIlraXYmU5Iy6Tzfc2014IvJ5vXL6-Dxm7ZNS4p0M6LLWXHsNogk1mMk1yrnc/s1600/IMG_4822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs18z1xtvOjuQrB4IwIaswkdE5oo-lHa9OqrDOw2EeCNDqxlC26zIXc9kQbm12FTViRh4E8PccgcwtGjLIlraXYmU5Iy6Tzfc2014IvJ5vXL6-Dxm7ZNS4p0M6LLWXHsNogk1mMk1yrnc/s1600/IMG_4822.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>One of the reasons Apple has been such a success the last 10 years is they sold a "lifestyle", and an emotion for their product. Most people buy Apple because they want Apple. There are many other companies like this as well. The question for your company is, when people in your industry think of what you sell, does your company rise to the top? Do people want to "FIND a way" to do business with you because your company is on the cutting edge, and you make people feel good about where they are going, and they can trust that you will pursue them with excellence? …or do people think they are just another person buying something from you? When you can inject EMOTION into your brand, customers come to you. They seek YOU out! So my question is, how are you blending the use of video, social media, the web, and direct mail into your "Emotion Brand" to have your customers, not only buy your product, but feel an experience when doing business with you?</div>
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<b>FIVE: Be Transparent</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolyOnElU6Q2r-H7scFDKufVbaJ59RVSVsY-My01TKw0ptzH9miYY7crWJ0aFKtg4Ero3o6geXLYEwtJk2baGZeXXWbTALIHSFuaEpyg15tJ75AH6l9ag3EU5PJsxS6kwVOvcgm68TuXw/s1600/IMG_8058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolyOnElU6Q2r-H7scFDKufVbaJ59RVSVsY-My01TKw0ptzH9miYY7crWJ0aFKtg4Ero3o6geXLYEwtJk2baGZeXXWbTALIHSFuaEpyg15tJ75AH6l9ag3EU5PJsxS6kwVOvcgm68TuXw/s1600/IMG_8058.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>You do business in an open society. It's not fair, but it's real. When you screw up, it will most likely appear on twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or some other feed. Tons of people will know, even while you are still trying to hide it. Your entire brand and culture needs to revolve around being transparent. Allow your customers to have access to your work in progress portal so they can check the status of their order. Post performance stats for your company so departments and employees can get excited about the success of the company. You want your customers, members, or employees to look at your company as a part of them. Find some type of profit sharing program to give every employee some "skin in the game". I love a company I met not too long ago who gives every employee, down to the janitor, a percentage of the profits every quarter. I don't think those employees are going anywhere. There are obviously some areas that need to be for "your eyes only", but for the most part, members, customers, employees, and vendors need to know you are being up front, honest, and transparent with them when you are dealing with them. Give no one a sense that they need to start digging into the details. If you have nothing to hide, you hide nothing. Openness and honesty build trust and loyalty.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgdbm-bbJWZwgh6QdmQpXWdqhBXp1c4hhSNSG69O5v4m0khI1N3GIVWe9yQb_C1d9Cus7AQIa_aleQ4_PFhuG_JTm52C6-fgsuWTz0BF-jSI1tGo3AdXxOvkgfXu8yuZ0zfVTN8SjUkc/s1600/IMG_6966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgdbm-bbJWZwgh6QdmQpXWdqhBXp1c4hhSNSG69O5v4m0khI1N3GIVWe9yQb_C1d9Cus7AQIa_aleQ4_PFhuG_JTm52C6-fgsuWTz0BF-jSI1tGo3AdXxOvkgfXu8yuZ0zfVTN8SjUkc/s1600/IMG_6966.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a><b>SIX: Review Your Business Strategy at Least Every 24 Months</b></div>
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I believe every association and company should have a comprehensive business plan. This plan should define your market, customer, brand, culture, and how you will pursue your market. I believe 24 months is the optimum length for reviewing your overall company or association business plan. You can't live in one-year increments because sometimes it take longer than 12 months for strategies to gain momentum, and with longer terms, things change to dramatically. Companies who review their business strategy every 24 months, have an opportunity to look at how their market and customer needs are shifting. How does your company culture need to adjust, and what changes in execution need to happen to maximize your company success? Each time you open up your plan, there are only three questions you need to ask for each aspect of your business including, sales, marketing, people, pricing, operations, etc:</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>What are we currently doing that we need to be doing differently?</li>
<li>What are we not doing that we should be doing?</li>
<li>What are we doing that we need to stop because it no longer ads value?</li>
</ol>
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When you look at the demographics of the United States, the future is very bright? Those who build their value based on member needs, follow these six steps, and deliver with a WOW factor are going to see membership grow to all time highs, build new revenue streams, and make a big difference for their industry.<br />
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Lead your members into the future starting today.<br />
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Tom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226785420112197806.post-81732655886736239012014-12-15T12:18:00.000-08:002014-12-15T12:43:07.934-08:00Six Steps to Creating a Tropical Paradise Out of a Tropical Storm (PART 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06m4xYIPYeNuDysyQ-oqEB3N3Dzjc2M2-Qk6LmHZfeWod2ImDDQfikGEuIkqYI2W7SgS_PsZx1RnwiMJqOLEMP1x3KqQjSiJGxEe4T5e8kzutcKGuc1u7fpIWjpt9m3JzSDjl2wKO2Co/s1600/IMG_8224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06m4xYIPYeNuDysyQ-oqEB3N3Dzjc2M2-Qk6LmHZfeWod2ImDDQfikGEuIkqYI2W7SgS_PsZx1RnwiMJqOLEMP1x3KqQjSiJGxEe4T5e8kzutcKGuc1u7fpIWjpt9m3JzSDjl2wKO2Co/s1600/IMG_8224.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
If you haven't been paying attention, you may not have noticed that the economic environment, in every capacity, has been shifting from an industrial revolution, to a technology revolution. Demographic shifts we see worldwide are already starting to bring the industrial revolution back to North America, but in a technology revolution fashion. Opportunity and momentum are slowing building for amazing prosperity! The question is, "Are you and your members ready for it?"<br />
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For every association and their members, whether individuals or companies, the shift to compete in today's economy is fast, furious, dynamic, and unforgiving. You no longer make money in spite of yourself, or because you inherited a business from your parents. Competing today takes strategy, vision, purpose, execution, and the ability to look back and learn lessons, so as to not repeat costly mistakes.</div>
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I have had the fortunate pleasure of being around some of the most innovative for-profit business owners in my life. I've paid close attention the last 10 years because I could see change coming. Change like we have never seen before, and at a rapid pace. Over the last 9 years, our association has grown tremendously by paying attention to a set of six business principles that work in any non-profit or for-profit business. </div>
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These six keys to maximizing future success come from dynamic shifts that you will not stop. These shifts are coming, some are already here, and some we haven't seen the full impact yet. </div>
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As you approach 2015, you have two choices when dealing with these uncontrollable dynamic shifts:</div>
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<ol>
<li>Battle the waves of change and fight against the stream, or</li>
<li>Adjust your sails and sore with the waves.</li>
</ol>
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I would highly recommend anyone reading this post to adopt #2. If you pursue #1 with the, "We have always been successful doing it that way" attitude, then you run the risk of jeopardizing your organization, brand, and the families they support.</div>
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The following are the first three of six key areas that all companies, whether non-profit or for-profit, need to ensure they have a part of their business strategy to maximize their future success and be here in 5 to 10 years. You can read about the last 3 keys in my next blog post next week:</div>
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<b>ONE: Blend Young and Old to Maximize Energy and Wisdom</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxbZaNEA8au26Q4yKpDgPeF4APh1R51sHluTA6l3wC8hrOuqo7LsN4rfDcGEbRn0oajhMYM2OkQ8zdoKo70FkS5hAdtweg49iS1dMNlVZ0hB7eb6wZ7VkBOa7RYv5Pbdi7qyWxOseltY/s1600/IMG_3811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxbZaNEA8au26Q4yKpDgPeF4APh1R51sHluTA6l3wC8hrOuqo7LsN4rfDcGEbRn0oajhMYM2OkQ8zdoKo70FkS5hAdtweg49iS1dMNlVZ0hB7eb6wZ7VkBOa7RYv5Pbdi7qyWxOseltY/s1600/IMG_3811.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>The United States population, right now, is in the biggest shift in demographic groups in our history. Whether it's employees, customers, or suppliers, you are dealing with the "OLD" largest generation in history clashing with the "NEW" largest generation in history. In the middle, you have a generation fighting to be heard. The challenge is, how do you build a respect for tradition, be open to new ideas, and give a voice to these generations so as to maximize their ability to be cohesive, want to work for you, and want to do business with you? It is critical that your company invest in resources to help teach each generation and varying personality groups to build trust, care, and respect for differences for one another. It's amazing what happens when someone begins to understand, "It's not personal, they just have a different way of thinking. Let's work this out", as opposed to, "I'm right, your wrong. It's my way or the highway." When you have young and old working together in a cohesive blend, your company will begin to see magic happen in value, productivity, and profits.</div>
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<b>TWO: Build Your Internal Technical Knowledge and Leadership Upstream</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4z9n_X2AdvVnpfSROfzCbEsv6AsTEOeVZ0QHIh5l_Q8xY_F2uv1HNDI4X96vWDUZ49p2yJ8WNIR8AgWet3b0oXzpexEGICL1i-YNtIXiv3iHoucKhWZhX0CHKMcnIYYWpoD5RFW8zgk/s1600/IMG_4055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4z9n_X2AdvVnpfSROfzCbEsv6AsTEOeVZ0QHIh5l_Q8xY_F2uv1HNDI4X96vWDUZ49p2yJ8WNIR8AgWet3b0oXzpexEGICL1i-YNtIXiv3iHoucKhWZhX0CHKMcnIYYWpoD5RFW8zgk/s1600/IMG_4055.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a>It is proven time and time again that TRAINING pays huge dividends both on the line, and at the top. No matter what your company sells, quality technical training for your admin and line personnel allows them to work with less errors and greater decision making, which maximizes a customer's experience. I personally love it when a line staff person can solve my problem intelligently instead of, "let me get my manager." Empowering your people through effective technical training in every capacity pays off in every way. With training comes building a set of leaders for your company that people look up to, respect, and have a passion for within your industry and company vision. <i>Remember, just because you have someone that can do the work of your company with excellence, doesn't mean they know how to lead and manage the people who do that work.</i> Leading and managing is an entirely different skill set. I'm never amazed at how many great employees hate their job because their boss has absolutely NO PEOPLE SKILLS. How did company executives think his/her brash management style was going to work out with employees, customers, and suppliers? IT DOESN'T. Your most profitable companies in the future with loyal employees will invest funds into building upper management who lead by example, create heros from their workers, build teams not egos, and are nice to deal with. You want a culture where people WANT to work for you, customers WANT to do business with you, and suppliers WANT to give you what you want in terms and service you need to be competitive.</div>
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<b>THREE: Be On The Cutting Edge of Technology</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0P0GQS8DUPcVPv0ye3RQCaDNtGRRTgvvvkTo7bkPAFpvI-wPDJq3Q1fNCtcrx7tm6otQryZVrZrQuiMO0a4xTNyeXt0Vln1jQ-MQ_HN0T9IT8TamWwj6-BfEfG1P31-KQ5RLjGacpEg/s1600/IMG_3887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0P0GQS8DUPcVPv0ye3RQCaDNtGRRTgvvvkTo7bkPAFpvI-wPDJq3Q1fNCtcrx7tm6otQryZVrZrQuiMO0a4xTNyeXt0Vln1jQ-MQ_HN0T9IT8TamWwj6-BfEfG1P31-KQ5RLjGacpEg/s1600/IMG_3887.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a>This goes without saying. Competition is fierce and human capital is every organization's largest expense. Other factors like Obamacare are adding cost to the system that causes you to have to raise your pricing in order to stay in business. The question is, "Which of you are going to blink first to raise your prices?" Many will fear this step for losing customers to competitors who don't raise prices. Eventually they will go out of business for not charging enough, but can you afford to lose and wait until the customer returns? Leveraging technology with your company to minimize the human capital needed to grow your business is a must in the future. This doesn't mean you add robots and let your staff go. It means, start looking at your business differently. Where can you add technology to streamline your productivity? Where can you shift your workers to maximize your customer experience? Companies who have the perfect blend of high-tech and high-touch will be your most successful companies in the future.</div>
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Next week, you will read about keys four through six in Creating a Tropical Paradise Out of a Tropical Storm.<br />
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Lastly, I will say this about the need for individuals and organizations to leverage associations. The #1 place every individual or company needs to be to maximize their resources is a member of their professional society and trade association. If you choose to do business without being a member of an association, you are choosing to be a lone wolf, go at it alone and leave valuable resources on the table for your competition. As a member of an association, you can leverage networking, training, social media, benchmarking and research, to give you an inside competitive advantage for pennies on the dollar. I always say..."There is strong, then there is Association Strong!"</div>
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So I ask, does your association and members have these areas on your priority list of action steps for 2015 and beyond? Remember, the market is unforgiving. As Jack Welch, former CEO of GE stated, "When the rate of change is greater outside the organization than inside the organization, that is the beginning of the end of the organization."<br />
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Stay tuned for next week's post...</div>
Tom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226785420112197806.post-12634210992652210192014-10-21T05:00:00.005-07:002014-10-21T05:00:41.325-07:00What is Your UBER or Zillow?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENtgTv8DDnIILKFKz0RL7d3op8IMLip6DWyjVjwgl6Yui7i_qJnrlszOutTR-Hxei5sLKLCoEWdeh_hmF3t8O2JgPhRY4r1-KM-V_uKirtfFojs5QYgotoD3hEmQN2_kLSTSTeSbPbjo/s1600/IMG_6795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENtgTv8DDnIILKFKz0RL7d3op8IMLip6DWyjVjwgl6Yui7i_qJnrlszOutTR-Hxei5sLKLCoEWdeh_hmF3t8O2JgPhRY4r1-KM-V_uKirtfFojs5QYgotoD3hEmQN2_kLSTSTeSbPbjo/s1600/IMG_6795.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>Everyday technology is changing our lives. It's changing how consumers live and purchase. It's changing how companies do business and market their products. For an association, technology can be an association's best friend, or its worst enemy.<br />
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Back in the day, it used to be, that only well funded companies had the resources to develop technology that could alter our economy. Now it just takes a couple of passionate college students in a dorm, with programming skills behind an idea, to make things better or more convenient.<br />
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With technology being developed so fast, the question for associations is, "who is studying the marketplace, and who is spending time on your research and development, to ensure technology advancements don't rule out your association's relevance to your members?"<br />
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Case in point is UBER and Zillow. Both of these apps have transformed their respective industries. Both are causing the the taxi and real estate associations a lot of heart ache over their impact. Both could have been discovered and developed by their associations. <br />
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Think about the value proposition for the taxi cab associations, had they developed UBER. It would have been a dramatic increase in value for their membership. Instead, they are spending their dues dollars in court fighting UBER rather than promoting it. Zillow is causing the same type of heartache in the real estate industry, and is in direct competition with Realtor.com.<br />
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My question again to every association is...."What is Your Uber or Zillow?"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRmGd7yxNhmVZXp8SdMi_hF8j2CCGQqlby4CRUsRDOGaC_e0cE4Oo1fNnf7U3PZTpZHzw8djolvM79yKKZXWJBhgbuMyvukObDtt3rTT1fN-kj8o0gp-SV5J-VSkIKqHF7dfbH9O1odU/s1600/IMG_5928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRmGd7yxNhmVZXp8SdMi_hF8j2CCGQqlby4CRUsRDOGaC_e0cE4Oo1fNnf7U3PZTpZHzw8djolvM79yKKZXWJBhgbuMyvukObDtt3rTT1fN-kj8o0gp-SV5J-VSkIKqHF7dfbH9O1odU/s1600/IMG_5928.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
Private industry knows that associations make big dollars on training, benchmarking, and conferences. They are working harder than ever to use technology to capture your members. If you snooze at the wheel, innovations like Uber and Zillow will find their way into your industry, leaving you on the outside looking in.<br />
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It is critical for all associations to be looking with their eyes wide open, at the changing demographics, business climate, and purchasing trends in their industry, in order to identify the "Uber" opportunity in their industry. Why you ask? Think about the value proposition and non-dues revenue impact of Uber had it been discovered and launched by the taxi association. It would have been huge.<br />
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Every association has a set of young people they are looking to empower and engage in their association. This specific area is the perfect place to engage them. Establish an R & D committee made up of your younger members, and empower them to discover how the association can leverage their resources to discover your industry's "Uber".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFAQwJw73tk4SM1yAjB2GSyTgNcFizSDPaqBppjuwkqwZD2TnllKhax0Mu8Sttnce44ofkt3NtFVX6jsr1q25_2XoVvSRbjEotvQQBr5C12ah83Bxl9WHnUtyAiawfMHkZGZBmHJ1rnU/s1600/IMG_4063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFAQwJw73tk4SM1yAjB2GSyTgNcFizSDPaqBppjuwkqwZD2TnllKhax0Mu8Sttnce44ofkt3NtFVX6jsr1q25_2XoVvSRbjEotvQQBr5C12ah83Bxl9WHnUtyAiawfMHkZGZBmHJ1rnU/s1600/IMG_4063.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a>Challenge them to discover how business will be done differently in the future...how companies will interact and operate...how consumers will purchase...and how information will be transferred, related to what is important to your industry.<br />
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Challenge them to develop the next wave of technology that could transform how your members get to do business and interact. Remember, technology's biggest impact is when it enhances process, tears down obstacles, or increases revenue/profits.<br />
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If you sleep at the wheel, technology in itself will minimize your association's relevance over time. But if you invest in R & D, and stay ahead of the curve for your member's benefit, you will gain loyalty from your members, and a revenue stream that will sustain your association's future.<br />
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Discover your Uber or Zillow today!Tom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226785420112197806.post-73368963475215920142014-10-01T06:42:00.000-07:002014-10-01T06:49:33.383-07:00Association Staff #1 DRIVER to Maximizing Member Engagement<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORHokUq4YzwS5PAu4YlPckdZL0aUA5S6Qet5GY4RVQz-ei8XTo-Ao3TjjyeBsa5CNt44chrZS3N0GE7xGIV_SXv6jnoRfnUq_kxA2uD6ql31MGTS_D23TpNXFZN0qI8YYNk4ZnhFaJm0/s1600/IMG_4414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORHokUq4YzwS5PAu4YlPckdZL0aUA5S6Qet5GY4RVQz-ei8XTo-Ao3TjjyeBsa5CNt44chrZS3N0GE7xGIV_SXv6jnoRfnUq_kxA2uD6ql31MGTS_D23TpNXFZN0qI8YYNk4ZnhFaJm0/s1600/IMG_4414.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>In the world of associations, all members join your association for one reason or another. Typically they join to help them improve areas of their career or company through training, benchmarking, networking, government relations, etc. <br />
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According to current association research, the #1 challenge of associations is "engaging members in the programs that can help them improve their business." That sounds so ironic given members have come to the association for help.<br />
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If we, as associations, can harness the energy within our associations to help members understand they have joined an exciting place that can lead them to the answers for most everyone of their challenges, we will maximize their engagement, therefore solving many of our association's challenges.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PJQnXAZ3rhZv6C2Qit4vUlmOQJUmBmHLtJ2y2_W7KzFGpFMSS2-zG5duUh0nS9_59eCwjiDL5sMIMT79GTVYWP39J7GXIaae5W0wGguv2k5FeLRAeFuPEho-Bu6__WlopEgek8aP77Q/s1600/IMG_2312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PJQnXAZ3rhZv6C2Qit4vUlmOQJUmBmHLtJ2y2_W7KzFGpFMSS2-zG5duUh0nS9_59eCwjiDL5sMIMT79GTVYWP39J7GXIaae5W0wGguv2k5FeLRAeFuPEho-Bu6__WlopEgek8aP77Q/s1600/IMG_2312.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
However, I believe the #1 obstacle of associations "maximizing member engagement" is their own staff. Associations are relying heavily on their volunteers to engage the members, when the members themselves have their own daily jobs to work. "Volunteer help" to engage members should certainly be expected, but not relied upon within any association.<br />
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The #1 group of people who should be required to engage members in programs are your staff. When I say staff, I mean 100% of the staff including HR, accounts payable, meetings, etc. Any staff person a member could connect with in any fashion should be required to engage members.<br />
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The problem with staff is usually membership interaction on programs and services typically falls to one person who is in charge of membership with smaller associations and a small department in larger associations. Here me on this... "With only one person or department in charge of membership, you will never maximize member engagement." One person or department can never have the type of interaction with the majority of your members needed to maximize engagement.<br />
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<b><i>Membership Engagement should be the responsibility of every employee whether you have 2 staff members or 200 staff members.</i></b> Every employee should be required to at minimum know the following:<br />
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1) Year Association Was Established<br />
2) Mission and Vision Statements of Association<br />
3) General Understanding of the Association Strategic Plan<br />
4) General Knowledge of Each Benefit/Program the Association Offers<br />
5) How the Benefits/Programs Connect to the Success of the Members<br />
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If you were to have a test TODAY on those five topics with everyone not in the membership department, would they pass or fail?<br />
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Think about how many times a day everyone not responsible for member interacts with members and none of them typically discuss any of the above because they don't have intimate knowledge of it. You see, when your staff can connect the five items above to the success of your members, it breeds passion for them to make a difference each day. They understand, as a staff person, WHY THEY EXIST in the organization. That what they do everyday really is life changing for people you serve.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxA1bFwM6I7Jsm724aEPfX256GDsq7VJNsCyMuAu-ZXJzcVBpgQjUwEr4fJA72TMA5JEtxAalyengWiNLb3to7J6FgsPimxRz8Dmul_weNbgTATHZScd-oB9cocaCI767ydQEc-o38hk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-30+at+8.29.23+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxA1bFwM6I7Jsm724aEPfX256GDsq7VJNsCyMuAu-ZXJzcVBpgQjUwEr4fJA72TMA5JEtxAalyengWiNLb3to7J6FgsPimxRz8Dmul_weNbgTATHZScd-oB9cocaCI767ydQEc-o38hk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-30+at+8.29.23+AM.png" height="195" width="200" /></a>There are two main aspects that drive associations. PURPOSE and PASSION. When the two intersect, you now have a CAUSE to fight for. My question is, "Does your employees understand the CAUSE they are fighting for or do they think they just have a job?"<br />
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To many associations have PURPOSE and PASSION among their people, but they are not intersecting each other for the benefit of the association.<br />
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When PURPOSE and PASSION intersect for a CAUSE, you then have a level of energy within your association staff where EVERYONE buys into maximizing member engagement so the association thrives. When member engagement grows, it's like a chain reaction that grows:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Program participation</li>
<li>Per member revenue</li>
<li>Volunteerism</li>
<li>Meeting attendance</li>
<li>Membership Retention</li>
</ul>
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I have personally witnessed this over the past 8 years within our association where equipping ALL of my staff with the knowledge they need to engage members constantly has led us to increase per member revenue 33%, annual non-dues revenue 132% and overall net worth of association 1,058%. <br />
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Incredible numbers from simply ensuring ALL staff are a part of the engagement process.<br />
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I would encourage every association reading this to do the following:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Make sure your staff KNOWS first had the five things I listed above about your association.</li>
<li>Meet at minimum quarterly as a staff to discuss openly your value proposition and the five items</li>
<li>At each meeting, have 1 or 2 staff members present your value proposition from their perspective and discuss it to learn the varying angles people see your association.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDHxw6qdSw1GzeKDi7ZtsH_5V-xmkVmRq4H3zGMNvZ5p6n3Uwk-OXmQnXeoJGLv-wUul9SyIdHPOvzqCiP_NGpIcQu2PTGj7RDT8UB-B4bxaQyoHhbGotwO-m4XNY1xF0ZF9sLxTN14U/s1600/DSCN6467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDHxw6qdSw1GzeKDi7ZtsH_5V-xmkVmRq4H3zGMNvZ5p6n3Uwk-OXmQnXeoJGLv-wUul9SyIdHPOvzqCiP_NGpIcQu2PTGj7RDT8UB-B4bxaQyoHhbGotwO-m4XNY1xF0ZF9sLxTN14U/s1600/DSCN6467.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>Lastly, I would encourage you to have your association staff take my <a href="http://www.associationrevolution.com/">90-Day Association Revolution Challenge</a> in the 4th quarter of 2014. Don't let your staff go into 2015 thinking the same old way. My "live" Association Revolution Challenge Workshop has received rave reviews by boards and association leaders across the U.S. I now have an online version that makes a "staff member engagement strategy session" affordable.<br />
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Take the steps to maximize member engagement today by equipping your staff and connecting the Purpose and Passion for your association CAUSE. To see our SPECIAL OFFER for $200 off the <a href="http://www.associationrevolution.com/">Association Revolution Challenge</a>, visit www.AssociationRevolution.com.<br />
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<br />Tom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226785420112197806.post-71894629408678132922014-09-03T05:38:00.000-07:002014-09-03T05:38:01.173-07:00When It Comes to People...Are You a Bully or a Builder<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_K_n_tUOk7wt2sjxl6RzQFdgOWKxgByU-3dtPBrCQNdeijlJMqf1koGREF67EhZHR4a0K3BUvlG423GfZeaDpqJ5CQwPsfvY_NrbFtxs26dJjIx0Ozd8GymqgqSnWioT4Re8ON4L_DY/s1600/IMG_6311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_K_n_tUOk7wt2sjxl6RzQFdgOWKxgByU-3dtPBrCQNdeijlJMqf1koGREF67EhZHR4a0K3BUvlG423GfZeaDpqJ5CQwPsfvY_NrbFtxs26dJjIx0Ozd8GymqgqSnWioT4Re8ON4L_DY/s1600/IMG_6311.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a>Over the course of the past several years, I've written many blog posts on my passions within the <b style="font-style: italic;">membership engagement </b>context<b style="font-style: italic;">.</b> I 100% believe that if you maximize membership engagement within your association, it solves everything.<br />
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Today I want to side track on the subject of people and how we treat them. It doesn't matter whether you are engaging members, managing your association staff, or trying to inspire your volunteers, how you treat people is 50% responsible for getting them to engage, be inspired, or motivated.<br />
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Knowing this begs the question of yourself, "How do I treat people...am I a BULLY or a BUILDER of people?"<br />
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A couple of other questions to ponder on this issue are:<br />
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- Do you feel you need to emotionally push people around to get them to do what you want?<br />
- Are you more concerned with being right, than having the right decision made?<br />
- Are you comfortable facilitating the right decision vs. being the right decision?<br />
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One thing we need to understand is, life is way too hard around us on a day-to-day basis to have a boss, volunteer, fellow employee, or anyone we work with creating unnecessary conflict in our life because of something <b><i>they</i></b> lack. That's right, most emotional bullies are that way because of something <i><b>they</b></i> lack internally.<br />
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Association work is an amazing opportunity, and is really about creating life change for many people. We have the opportunity to provide resources and networks of people to create transformation in so many people's lives. Yet, in this "feel good" state of transforming people's lives, some feel the need to bully or run over people to get it done.<br />
<br />
- Is it because you have insecurities?<br />
- Do you feel inferior to those you lead or work with?<br />
- Do you feel you have to "look good" in front of your peers?<br />
- Are their issues in your past with parents or relationships that are unresolved?<br />
<br />
Hear me out on this one phrase: <i><b>"When PERSONALITIES get in the way of the PURPOSE, that is the beginning of the end of the PURPOSE."</b></i><br />
<br />
Knowing this, why do we continue to bully those around us to try and get what we want, when it does nothing but serve the purpose of tearing apart a potentially amazing and positive chemistry?<br />
<br />
A couple of questions I always ask people about themselves are:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>If a small group of people see you coming down the hallway, do they seek to scatter before you get to them for fear of your wrath, or do they hang out because they want to have a moment of your time because you provide a positive energy in their life?</li>
<li>When people leave your presence, do they feel better or worse about themselves? Do they feel lifted up and stressed out?</li>
</ul>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZyXnEYvly5ds1tLHCiVyK4dzXyQnUh6P0yfRSk3nktf2APzUXt4Tz4GLoIVKKX3Rcns_4j2v8uH6SpKpQxy5JIB3_5X4eSc_Cgr5wGLvfWeaPVmTWueFha_hbZG3K00s3aULpo3KtYs/s1600/IMG_5122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZyXnEYvly5ds1tLHCiVyK4dzXyQnUh6P0yfRSk3nktf2APzUXt4Tz4GLoIVKKX3Rcns_4j2v8uH6SpKpQxy5JIB3_5X4eSc_Cgr5wGLvfWeaPVmTWueFha_hbZG3K00s3aULpo3KtYs/s1600/IMG_5122.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a>Don't get me wrong...there is a time to be tough, but that is usually when all else has failed. To be a bully, and seemingly tough at every turn, does yourself, those you manage, lead, work with, and your association, a disservice. <b>Being a bully divides people. Being a builder of people brings people together.</b><br />
<br />
When trying to think of an acronym that could easily be remembered on how to treat people you work in any scenario, especially those you lead, I discovered this: "We <b>C.A.T.E.R.</b> to our members, staff, and those we work with." <b>C.A.T.E.R.</b> stands for the following:<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">C</span>onfidence</b> - Impress <i>confidence</i> on your people by having <i>confidence</i> in them.<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">A</span>uthority</b> - Give your people the <i>authority</i> they need to get the job done.<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">T</span>rust</b> - Let your actions demonstrate that you <i>trust</i> they can make the right choices.<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">E</span>mpower</b> - Don't micromanage. You tell them the "What," let them figure out the "How".<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">R</span>espect</b> - You hired them...show r<i>espect</i> and allow them the latitude to fail AND succeed.<br />
<br />
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I'm confident if you live by the philosophy of <b>CATERING</b> to anyone you work with in your association, you will see an exciting environment, within a team of staff and volunteers, that will accomplish whatever goals you establish.<br />
<br />
Remember, people want to be a part of an organization that is exciting and empowers them to make a difference. Bullies get in the way of empowerment and create no excitement. Be a BUILDER of people and whatc their lives transform those around them.<br />
<br />
<br />Tom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226785420112197806.post-28453819735272984822014-07-30T06:00:00.000-07:002014-07-30T06:43:56.189-07:00Maximum Member Engagement SOLVES EVERYTHING<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzeIRFk_sekOmzuZqCrQfncGPqzaTKd_0ZvPY2pGR_3fnEFIqJOo5S3qVDjmpW81DpFn8iXs46itr8E4ksdkTw34vl8vldMxm-0WV8AxmOGORJks1THettiyhy7aM_MNnF_q_05lENr8g/s1600/Impossible+Attainable.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzeIRFk_sekOmzuZqCrQfncGPqzaTKd_0ZvPY2pGR_3fnEFIqJOo5S3qVDjmpW81DpFn8iXs46itr8E4ksdkTw34vl8vldMxm-0WV8AxmOGORJks1THettiyhy7aM_MNnF_q_05lENr8g/s1600/Impossible+Attainable.png" height="133" width="200" /></a>Marketing General recently released its 2014 association study that<br />
had two compelling stats in it:<br />
<ul>
<li>The #1 reason members non-renew memberships is lack of engagement in the association</li>
<li>The #1 priority for 67% of associations is growing member engagement </li>
</ul>
As I look back over the last eight years of our association's strategic plan, implementation and the incredible growth we have experienced, one thing sticks out that turned everything around: Maximizing Member Engagement. You see, in 2006 we decided the number one strategy in the strategic plan was to put members FIRST...do things for them they couldn't do themselves effectively, and do them with excellence.<br />
<br />
Look at our key numbers and the increase since 2006:<br />
<ul>
<li>Membership Increase: 13%</li>
<li>Dues: 25%</li>
<li>Revenue Per Member: 33%</li>
<li>Non-Dues Revenue: 132%</li>
<li>Associate Sponsorships: 68%</li>
<li>Net Worth: 1,058%</li>
<li>98.5% Member Retention Each Year </li>
<li>Percent of Members Engaged in Programs: 81% </li>
</ul>
You see, when you put absolute focus on meeting member NEEDS and driving issues that are important to THEM, they RESPOND with engagement. This engagement creates a level of financial security that frees the board to take risk and make decisions that can transform your industry.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04Hs3fhL2e6GMo2eKSOhtFLvX2614VoQwaEc0ECN_bUU6nAquKqleHTHikLCFYbHZtikyVp9Qt9xuYqAuFVzaYu2_z5k-DfqJaFy2KVvFF_i9-j8-q_4hbnF3uTxqyXPb5Gr4RZgMxJc/s1600/IMG_5081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04Hs3fhL2e6GMo2eKSOhtFLvX2614VoQwaEc0ECN_bUU6nAquKqleHTHikLCFYbHZtikyVp9Qt9xuYqAuFVzaYu2_z5k-DfqJaFy2KVvFF_i9-j8-q_4hbnF3uTxqyXPb5Gr4RZgMxJc/s1600/IMG_5081.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a>Remember, maximizing your value proposition is directly tied to maximizing member engagement. When your association can establish new programs or services without raising dues or costs to members, you are inherently raising your member value proposition. The more you add programs or services at no cost to the membership, the more you are adding value to why they pay dues each year. You can only develop and add programs at no cost to the members when you have an ample amount of reserves in the bank.<br />
<br />
I see many associations who put the strategic plan ahead of member needs, which, to me is a huge mistake. They keep building strategic plans and wonder why members aren't engaged. It's because they haven't connected member needs to their plan. They have built a strategic plan through the eyes of a board that thinks it knows what members want, yet have never asked, and then wonder years later why they lack member engagement.<br />
<br />
<br />
To maximize member engagement, there are some key elements you need that ensure your association experiences maximum member engagement. The following are what I feel are elements you can't do without:<br />
<br />
<b>A Staff Who is Passionate to the Cause of the Association</b><br />
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<br />
When members call in and speak to staff, they either feel awesome, or not. Many staffers feel like they have an ordinary job and they haven't themselves connected the dots as to how their job, their attitude, and their actions can help make a difference in a member's life. Members are dealing with the difficult task of succeeding in their profession or business, and it's not easy. The world is a very competitive, cut throat place, and the resources and network that associations bring to the table helps lessen the stress of doing business. You need to ensure that your staff feels the passion of how they make a difference each day and they understand the cause of serving members.<br />
<br />
<b>Doing Things For Their Members They Can't Do Themselves Effectively</b><br />
When it comes to serving members, we have to stop trying to provide benefits and services members can easily access through google.com, yahoo, or bing. Many of the services that associations provided years ago, are now readily available to members through technology. It is important that associations dig deeper into their members daily lives as professionals and business owners, and look for areas that are a real struggle for them. When you find the pain that keeps them up at night in their business, then you will discover the "medicine" that you need to provide what will maximize their engagement. Create programs that minimize cost, maximize opportunity, leverage people, free up time, and reduce stress. I believe you need to narrow your focus to 5 or fewer benefits that you do better than any private enterprise.<br />
<br />
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<b>Have An Effective Communications and Technology Strategy</b><br />
Once you have a group of passionate people leading the association and your programs and benefits are focused on meeting member needs, it is imperative you have an effective communication strategy. YOU NEED TO CONSISTENTLY TELL PEOPLE WHAT YOU ARE DOING FOR THEM AND HOW THEY CAN BENEFIT. The biggest mistake associations are making today is trying to get as big a percentage of members to go digital. Many have focused on email communications. At best 32% open email newsletters. If this is your choice of communication, you are losing 68% of your audience. I'm a believer association should do it all in an effort to get 100% of their members to read or watch something. That strategy has paid off for us as you can see from our numbers above. I believe associations should be doing most if not all of the following:<br />
<ul>
<li>Monthly Print Newsletter</li>
<li>Weekly Enewsletter With No More Than 4-Articles in It</li>
<li>Facebook or Private Social Network (we do both)</li>
<li>Linkedin to Tap Into Prospective Members </li>
<li>Twitter to Keep Message Consistent and Revolving on Your Home Page</li>
<li>Photo Gallery of Meetings on Flickr</li>
<li>YouTube Channel of Videos</li>
</ul>
Many reading this may wonder how many staff we have to pull of of this off. Most thing 6 to 8. We have 3.5. So I know it can be done with any size association staff, big or small. We utilize technology to do as much as possible and we have no wasted space in time. Our team meets the first Wednesday of every month to discuss every committee, project, meeting and communication. We plan for each month to maximize our efforts and make sure we accomplish everything. <br />
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Our members don't buy a product or service. They buy the following: There is strong... Then There is MTI STRONG. They buy into a philosophy that they are stronger with our people and resources than without. That only comes through having a group of staff who is passionate and focused to the cause, focused benefit structure that are things members can't do themselves and a communication structure that makes them FEEL your presence in their business or career.<br />
<br />
Take time to get your full staff together and assess these three areas. Ask everyone to write down on paper the following:<br />
<br />
2 Things we are doing that we should be doing differently<br />
2 Things we are not doing that we should be doing<br />
2 Things we should stop because they are completed or irrelevant<br />
<br />
Collect the pieces of paper and start making change.Tom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226785420112197806.post-11554704361903168452014-06-27T07:10:00.000-07:002014-07-30T04:31:08.297-07:00Keys to Your Conference Experience Transforming Your Association<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">It's that time again... FSAE and ASAE conference fever is reaching epic proportions for many. Many are looking at the conference schedule, shopping for things to wear for the theme nights, getting ready to see their industry friends, and just looking forward to getting away from the office.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">For many however, the thought of appearing on the scene at a conference where there are hundreds and even thousands of attendees, with so many choices for sessions, and a schedule that runs from 8 am to 2 am with hospitality and networking...CAN BE A BIT OVERWHELMING.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The question is...how do you plan ahead to maximize your ROI at the conference?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I've been going to the FSAE and ASAE conferences since 2006 and in that time frame, our association has grown over 1,000% in net worth with only a 13% gain in membership. Yes, I said over 1,000%. A big reason for this is me, as the association executive, having a plan to extract the best ideas, from the best minds, on the latest ideas and trends, that meet our needs. By the way, our non-dues revenue is up 133% annually from where it was in 2006. I share these numbers with you because I don't believe we would have achieved those types of numbers had I skipped conferences, or had no plan to maximize my conference experience. Many of the ideas and changes that my association has made, have come directly from information gained at sessions, and in networking with other attendees.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">I wanted to address why I feel that people don't think they received a good return on investment when they attend a conference. There are 2 main reasons you will never receive, even at a good conference, a great return on investment:</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><b style="line-height: 18px;">FIRST:</b><span style="line-height: 18px;"> You don't have a plan to gain what you need because you haven't identified what you are looking for. Every association has issues that are stifling their growth...some you aren't even aware of yet. Over the last 8 years, before every conference I attend, I identify the following before ever leaving:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Two current challenges our association needs to solve in the next 12 months,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">One future challenge I see on our radar screen that we need to be thinking of solving, </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">What technology shifts do we need to be making in the next 12 months?</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcikGep1YJXEjAvdsOdK84hADyM8rP7vw61vENkv3dWif3ReQvcjBKhiEdzZMqePo07fcoW_5gRsweGO5UlcbcG__Z_H7fooS27csGj2sr5L-GWjLYLo9eP3jaG82bdFx4qGFxQFWUA1Y/s1600/DSC03709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcikGep1YJXEjAvdsOdK84hADyM8rP7vw61vENkv3dWif3ReQvcjBKhiEdzZMqePo07fcoW_5gRsweGO5UlcbcG__Z_H7fooS27csGj2sr5L-GWjLYLo9eP3jaG82bdFx4qGFxQFWUA1Y/s1600/DSC03709.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Knowing those three things on a piece of paper, before I leave for conference, allows me to identify the potential solutions. I don't need to solve every problem because I'll be back there again in 12-months with a couple of other new challenges. Knowing this allows me to focus on the big picture items.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">You see, the problem at most any conference is that we are so caught up in writing down or tweeting every profound statement a speaker or colleague says, that we forget to write down the idea that connects the statement to one of your association needs. We are just collecting the dots, not <b><i>connecting</i></b> the dots to actions that can transform our associations. I've always told my staff, I would rather you come back from conference with the two ideas that can change our world, than 10 pages of notes of what you learned. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Yes, you must obtain knowledge at conference, but more importantly, you must connect ideas to action for maximizing your conference ROI. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My rule of thumb at conference is simple...I have my notepad app open on my iPhone, and during each day of the conference, I'm writing down three things relative to the three items mentioned above:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgJ4wMBU7XCsYZtT1Z3gMOj89CSaKK5DjYXk0He21Nntw6zNqq29r4uxnDuIKOmXPVhztTy3vdjjlNqoXEpa6SibbqpF97csYvUiuk_BjnqnATImLp2WQjqP-Hq_4-eNcnOLv50IAqps/s1600/FSAE+2010+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgJ4wMBU7XCsYZtT1Z3gMOj89CSaKK5DjYXk0He21Nntw6zNqq29r4uxnDuIKOmXPVhztTy3vdjjlNqoXEpa6SibbqpF97csYvUiuk_BjnqnATImLp2WQjqP-Hq_4-eNcnOLv50IAqps/s1600/FSAE+2010+1.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">1) One NEW IDEA I learned that I can implement for a specific need for my association,</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">2) What are we going to DO DIFFERENTLY ON MONDAY when I return to the office,</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">3) One NEW CONTACT I made who can help me make the change.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">With that one piece of paper, and only 3 things to look for each day, you will find what you are looking for. I know, because our association has grown over 1,000% partially because of strategically attacking every conference I attend.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">I hang around the "best of the best" at ASAE, and I can tell you that if I didn't attend ONE session, I would always walk away with those three questions answered, and am able to make great change, based on what I've learned, after each conference. Most of my new knowledge is gained just walking down the hall in conversation with a colleague, or networking after hours with friends...discussing what went on in the classroom. Learning is NOT all about what happens in the classroom...it's about the application that takes place outside of the classroom.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;">SECONDLY...</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"> if you are not getting a great return on investment, you are hanging around with the wrong crowd. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;">You only learn as much as the attendees around you can conceive. </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">If you hang out with people who aren't great innovators in their associations, and they aren't looking to learn, then your return is going to be little-to-none. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;">If you are hanging around the BEST MINDS, then your return is going to be huge!</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"> So, if your crowd isn't providing a great return on ideas at conference...find a new crowd!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">A few other key tips for maximizing conference success:</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PyTBpKgRF9R2vZYorPZbedo9ZXBHgGs0KLP2qpO55cq56KPh8LK0atu8f5E9_h8_LPgyYXrq9wJRlIME3T2Gg0M9sB9MPR-O6-EiHJSCDMYbw3KcfXmZvyyT74-DWAZiF4xlvhkCkHY/s1600/IMG_8613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PyTBpKgRF9R2vZYorPZbedo9ZXBHgGs0KLP2qpO55cq56KPh8LK0atu8f5E9_h8_LPgyYXrq9wJRlIME3T2Gg0M9sB9MPR-O6-EiHJSCDMYbw3KcfXmZvyyT74-DWAZiF4xlvhkCkHY/s1600/IMG_8613.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;">Study the schedule of social events and network online with other attendees to find out where those "creative minds" are going to be networking at, the BE THERE and meet them!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;">Bring lots of business cards and make sure you come back with none. NETWORKING is key!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;">Study the sessions and choose the ones that speak </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">specifically to the challenges and opportunities your association is facing in the next 12 to 24 months.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">It's OK to HAVE FUN at a conference. Conference is a time to REFRESH, REFUEL, REENERGIZE, AND REVITALIZE your perspective on your industry, as well as, your life. Take advantage of the out of class activities, the city/resort you are in, and after hours networking. It's what makes the event so much more than just a conference, creating a lifetime of friends and memories.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Bottom line...</span><b style="line-height: 18px;">YOU</b><span style="line-height: 18px;"> are in control of your conference experience. Define what you are looking for..make a plan before you arrive...connect with creative people...write down the key things that you can implement for change...and execute them when you return. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Watch TRANSFORMATION happen in your association!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
Tom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226785420112197806.post-49255611701057641002014-03-31T06:47:00.002-07:002014-07-30T04:31:20.672-07:00Effective Association GROWTH is SIMPLE MATH: BI + SE * WF = MME + FS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvDGhb2CLdqE4nb3U4466X7yuqMq94w77iXbSIataUz4ubUt-1zMNuVWOwsyMRwXgvzsVg1KLg2nOFKx_b3T4Tquu9tsu4g6ONBfmcVtIFeMIac3L7HtfmZLbY81uiZvHGiYawFOvtS4/s1600/IMG_3390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvDGhb2CLdqE4nb3U4466X7yuqMq94w77iXbSIataUz4ubUt-1zMNuVWOwsyMRwXgvzsVg1KLg2nOFKx_b3T4Tquu9tsu4g6ONBfmcVtIFeMIac3L7HtfmZLbY81uiZvHGiYawFOvtS4/s1600/IMG_3390.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
As we end the first quarter of 2014, as a fellow association executive, I want to ask you a couple of questions:<br />
<br />
Is your membership engagement strategy better, the same, or worse than it was 1 year ago? 2 years ago? 3 years ago?<br />
<br />
Is your association building BELIEVERS, or just a roll of dues paying members?<br />
<br />
Are you just providing services, or are you forging a MOVEMENT/ REVOLUTION within your industry? <br />
<br />
In order for your members to truly be believers and to become part of your "association movement", they must be engaged at some level. That engagement builds your movement, increases revenue per member, volunteerism, and helps you achieve maximum member engagement. When maximum member engagement is actualized, recruiting becomes easier and retention rates rise leading to financial security for your association.<br />
<br />
You see, if you have any set of members that are not engaged at some level within your association, they are, what I refer to as, "at risk" members. These are members who have no real buy-in to your association. They have been paying dues for any number of reasons, but have chosen to NOT engage in any programs, services, or volunteering.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJiKmMC4fAtqaqyw6mKwFlKrLYQx8p_mr8OxoIEnWA9z0XcVH89gwh1kGYF6hBKf-d1eUmTBpoMttuviw7lbXaPNKpY5NI_2HqKgOTzivHMH42y-WSIWqfXexaqVlxHeayoEZ4X7JGos/s1600/G0040116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJiKmMC4fAtqaqyw6mKwFlKrLYQx8p_mr8OxoIEnWA9z0XcVH89gwh1kGYF6hBKf-d1eUmTBpoMttuviw7lbXaPNKpY5NI_2HqKgOTzivHMH42y-WSIWqfXexaqVlxHeayoEZ4X7JGos/s1600/G0040116.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
These "at risk" members on any given day, can, and do, make a choice to non-renew their membership to save money and dedicate their resources elsewhere. The next question for you is, are you tracking membership engagement in any fashion to be able to identify your fully engaged, somewhat engaged, and not engaged members? If not, you should be. It allows you to target your messaging to each category of engagement, so as to draw your members closer to you. There is no reason to send a company or an individual who is engaged in 80% of your programs, a letter to get more engaged. They need a THANK YOU letter. Someone who is only a "newsletter member", should not get a letter thanking them for all their participation…they aren't participating. Rather, they need to get an encouraging letter asking them to get more engaged in programs, while also thanking them for their support.<br />
<br />
Our association has actually established an Annual Engagement Award, which recognizes all members who are engaged in 75% or more of the association programs, and volunteering at some level. We want to put those members on display to inspire others to be more active in the association. <br />
<br />
If your current membership is engaging in your member programs, meetings, and volunteering, you have a great story to tell those who are not members. If your member engagement is lacking, why would a non-member want to be a member if current members don't even participate?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw38Qu6u4e-LSvQrJGbLtJlqe52QX-pEbdMB7qxxoIAquntW69hE94qS0eBI_PVLE5Z3XBsNkEkzTWWpzYIjeh4i5-dkZWLpc0ZtkSXcLOFMxw4PW60wa-MF4_kN6Fuelap46rC3TNWlk/s1600/IMG_3433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw38Qu6u4e-LSvQrJGbLtJlqe52QX-pEbdMB7qxxoIAquntW69hE94qS0eBI_PVLE5Z3XBsNkEkzTWWpzYIjeh4i5-dkZWLpc0ZtkSXcLOFMxw4PW60wa-MF4_kN6Fuelap46rC3TNWlk/s1600/IMG_3433.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>For this reason, I believe associations should put focus on member engagement FIRST, and everything else will follow. This leads me to my simple math equation for effective association growth in membership, revenues, and financial strength:<br />
<br />
<i><b>Board Innovation (BI) <span style="color: red;">plus</span> Staff Execution (SE) <span style="color: red;">times</span> Wow Factor (WF) <span style="color: red;">equals</span> Maximum Member Engagement (MME) <span style="color: red;">plus</span> Financial Security (FS)</b></i><br />
<br />
For associations to sustain themselves long term, they must have maximum member engagement and financial security. If you lack either one, your association will perform average at best. If you don't have a good level of member engagement, many will say you don't represent enough people to speak for your industry. Or your benefits and services appear to benefit just a few, and not the full membership or "why join, your current members don't see any value?" If you don't have financial security, then you don't have the financial resources to take risk for your members and fund the necessary programs to meet your mission.<br />
<br />
So what are the three things necessary to have MME and FS? You can make a list a mile long if you would like, but it really boils down to 3 categories which all others fall into:<br />
<br />
<b>Board Innovation (BI)</b><br />
Board innovation comes from having a business savvy mindset from your Executive Committee and CEO. This group must lead the way for the rest of the board to get outside the box and think creatively about how they can engage the members in new ways. They must create programs and meeting structures that hit at the heart of their member needs. It's critical for the board to, at least every two years, analyze the question, "What can we do together for our members that they can't do for themselves effectively?" Answering this question is the key to maximizing your value proposition.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAPb0NlhJX3tLWKJl8385mVzgmzHwDSRYti4QTEDZ2fwRtQ_ieV1o6kBJv2Mn73yHM9yFRPyaf8M-ge8rftsd4VfbyD8ZwAeUN6Dpf9Dd2l4abvS-n_zeSJ8TWyAfQrozZnQNz4Fmi-M/s1600/IMG_4280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAPb0NlhJX3tLWKJl8385mVzgmzHwDSRYti4QTEDZ2fwRtQ_ieV1o6kBJv2Mn73yHM9yFRPyaf8M-ge8rftsd4VfbyD8ZwAeUN6Dpf9Dd2l4abvS-n_zeSJ8TWyAfQrozZnQNz4Fmi-M/s1600/IMG_4280.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>Staff Execution (SE)</b><br />
Once the board has a sound direction for the association to take, the next phase is staff execution. This is a blend of staff working with the key volunteers (when needed) to execute each program, service, committee work, and meeting to empower your members to accomplish the association mission. When people see real change and results happening within the membership and their own experience, they become excited and tell others. Members want to see excellence within their staff. They want to have a confidence that the staff is passionate about their association, and that they take pride in doing it with excellence.<br />
<br />
<b>WOW Factor (WF)</b><br />
This speaks for itself. In everything that your association provides for your membership, does it exemplify excitement, passion, and an emotional experience that draws them into your association? This is everything, from the way you answer the phone at your association offices, to the entertainment you provide at your conferences. Members should feel your membership…not just purchase it.<br />
<br />
<br />
Bottom line, do you have an effective membership engagement strategy? If not, you should.<br />
<br />
<b>Remember: </b> BI + SE * WF = MME + FSTom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226785420112197806.post-88780540880818924682014-02-18T08:07:00.002-08:002015-04-06T12:47:27.598-07:00And the #1 Membership Recruitment Tool IS.....<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvaDbbWSMF-LeHKT5bpqz5LQw9ZKLekA7BhIOZz0whdbpV5ZFLubEb_e3QpRBg6kWWWHexc-7Q_MtTO4GW0BUCotiie-Bz2BM0obS6BhyphenhyphenEbhks3NHeBtUVndgwlrTIj98MEUOQXAaCUk/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-02-18+at+10.20.55+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvaDbbWSMF-LeHKT5bpqz5LQw9ZKLekA7BhIOZz0whdbpV5ZFLubEb_e3QpRBg6kWWWHexc-7Q_MtTO4GW0BUCotiie-Bz2BM0obS6BhyphenhyphenEbhks3NHeBtUVndgwlrTIj98MEUOQXAaCUk/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-02-18+at+10.20.55+AM.png" height="116" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">When you look at your membership recruitment
strategy, my question always is, "Have you empowered your members and
especially your suppliers with the tools needed for them to communicate your
story to non-members?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Many think that just telling a member to call 3 or
4 of his "buddies" in the industry and say, "Hey, you should
join because I think it's a good thing" gets the job done. NOT IN
TODAY'S membership environment. Or pressing your staff to recruit 10%
more members this year when they don't believe in your value proposition isn't
going to work either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">If you are going to be successful in new member
recruitment, it is imperative you have "the tool" that communicates
the power, passion and excitement of belonging to your association. This
tool should be used by every volunteer, supplier and staff member.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">That tool is a "VIDEO." Having a
membership video that is more than members just saying things in the camera and
more than just sharing your benefits is crucial to inspiring non-members to
join. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">YOUR VIDEO NEEDS TO BE LIKE A MOVIE TRAILER THAT
COMPELS THE NON-MEMBER TO GRAB HIS PEN AND SAY, "WHERE'S MY CHECKBOOK, I
NEED TO JOIN THIS GROUP."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Having a video as a tool allows your suppliers to
easily forward your membership recruitment piece to all of their customers.
A video makes it easy for a volunteer or board member to send the video
to his colleagues and say, "I would like you to watch this video and I
will call you in 5 minutes."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">If the video is great, the only question your
volunteer needs to ask is.. "So why wouldn't you join with us?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm writing this blog today to encourage every
association to get outside your thinking and construct a professionally
produced video that is inspiring, motivating, shows off your members and
displays the power and presence of your association.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3X-VQ6CKz5gOWwKmz3r2DKdFsKy-gYAz5IDpfSVf7ICZv-Nv7BlQWWi8JwBGs8YJL6HhC8jJ2uDjX4rNvtt7xPHYQ23uBjgU_Xen2BQ_ZO-dRoCmO8PHWZcIghX7eVj-Zzvikqh40Foc/s1600/IMG_2646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3X-VQ6CKz5gOWwKmz3r2DKdFsKy-gYAz5IDpfSVf7ICZv-Nv7BlQWWi8JwBGs8YJL6HhC8jJ2uDjX4rNvtt7xPHYQ23uBjgU_Xen2BQ_ZO-dRoCmO8PHWZcIghX7eVj-Zzvikqh40Foc/s1600/IMG_2646.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Metal Treating Institute just launched its new
membership recruitment video and it has already after first viewing got our
board all fired up about membership in 2014. It quickly reminded them the
power they have collectively than individually.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I feel a fire burning in our volunteers that is
going to push our membership recruitment to the next level.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Seek to find the right message, music and mission
in a video that will engage your non-members to become members.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">CLICK the video at the bottom of this post to view MTI's new membership recruitment video. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Remember... No matter what industry you are in, we are all much stronger
together than separately.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><br />
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NHXgf4CyoAc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Tom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226785420112197806.post-11876171041065634742014-01-15T05:58:00.001-08:002014-01-15T05:58:25.631-08:00The Key to Taking Risk in 2014 is Non-Dues Revenue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSb9r6XIL_kvBID5rYlp4DMvtb6G7dxDPrFLXuwUPm5W8u-W-41d25S50qMw-IXkZe72O8o75OPEQvWYp5ltPkxRBT9KBnDovXhRJ4nLDXjwO1BiXt829ZsAhMZK795d7_fQ4PJoU_SzA/s1600/IMG_4287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSb9r6XIL_kvBID5rYlp4DMvtb6G7dxDPrFLXuwUPm5W8u-W-41d25S50qMw-IXkZe72O8o75OPEQvWYp5ltPkxRBT9KBnDovXhRJ4nLDXjwO1BiXt829ZsAhMZK795d7_fQ4PJoU_SzA/s200/IMG_4287.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
It is amazing to me how many association professionals believe that because you are a non-profit, that means you can't think like a "capitalized for profit" business when it comes to managing and developing new programs and services. There is a lack of innovation, seeking out member's business needs, and listening for those things that could be huge drivers to member engagement, expanded revenues, and rising net worth.<br />
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After the 2009 economic bust, every non-profit should be doing everything it can to enhance revenue streams to build its reserve funds. You never know when such a decline may happen again, and the last thing any association wants to have happen is to be forced to deliver less value and cut programs, because they didn't have enough money in the bank to thrive.<br />
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<b>HERE ARE THREE KEYS BEHIND WHY YOU SHOULD HAVE SIGNIFICANT RESERVES: </b><br />
<ol>
<li>Having significant reserves in the bank allows the board of directors and the association, to take on more risk when it comes to new program development, than members could take individually. </li>
<li>When you have significant reserves in the bank, your association can afford to create new programs without increased cost to the members.</li>
<li>With significant reserves in the bank, your association can afford to NOT CUT costs during a downturn, just for the sake of cutting costs. They can afford to keep member programs running full steam ahead, and the brand high.</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CDiYz5vnCoaMZ6arGkdcrY-KarMdfFSDdmGP-AY_ziuf09TZRPmIvCimUgZ7uH0nZyBqmptj74-LZtyVG2fzPVKo-6majwO_BrJabzpVHbDB5tN33qpGMxNBt_GR7NkMMLPj-grkW6E/s1600/IMG_9193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CDiYz5vnCoaMZ6arGkdcrY-KarMdfFSDdmGP-AY_ziuf09TZRPmIvCimUgZ7uH0nZyBqmptj74-LZtyVG2fzPVKo-6majwO_BrJabzpVHbDB5tN33qpGMxNBt_GR7NkMMLPj-grkW6E/s200/IMG_9193.JPG" width="200" /></a>You may be asking yourself, "Tom, what do you consider significant reserves?" I'm glad you asked. I believe that over one-full year's budget would be considered significant enough reserves. </div>
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The next question you may be asking is, "Well Tom, how do we build up those significant reserves?" That is another good question.</div>
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In order for associations to build healthy income streams, it take a diverse set of non-dues revenue streams that include meetings, services, training, and interest income. Yes, I said interest income. Think about it...if you have $1,000,000 in invested reserves, there are conservative investments in the marketplace that you could be earning $25,000 to $40,000 on your money, depending on your risk tolerance. So don't rule out interest income as a revenue source. </div>
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When looking at non-dues programs, there are three types to look at. I personally believe that two of them should get very little of your time, and the third one should get all of your time. It is critical that associations build value based benefits and programs, because the next generation doesn't have the emotional attachment to it that their grandfathers and fathers had. The WWII and baby boomer generations birthed a lot of the associations. Gen X grew up as kids in them, and have somewhat of an emotional attachment. Gen Y is far removed from the birth, and with that emotional detachment, they are looking for value. The following are the three types of benefits:</div>
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<b>Program Type #1 - Those Your Members Can Get For Free Anywhere</b></div>
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Associations used to have a lock on those types of programs that generated information. However, the growth of the internet and Google search have virtually taken away this golden handcuff for associations. We are not the only place to get information now. An Association's niche in this area has been changed from being a knowledge provider, to being a knowledge manager. There is so much information available now, that members can "WASTE" a ton of valuable time wrapped up in it. The value of an association is in being able to get the right information to your members...quickly.</div>
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<b>Program #2 - Those You Are Going to Do Whether We Are Members or Not</b></div>
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These programs generally focus a lot in the area of advocacy. With all their strong efforts in state capitols and Washington D.C, .almost every association has heard this comment after delivering to a prospective member, "Well you are doing that whether I'm a member or not, so I'm not interested right now." With the distaste many have with the governmental process, for many associations, there is a huge risk making this the key value you bring to the table. For some it works, for the majority, it does not.</div>
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<b>Program #3 - Doing Things For Your Members More Effectively Than They Can Do Themselves</b></div>
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In my opinion, this third type of program or service is where associations should focus the vast majority of their time. This type of program maximizes value because it fits a direct need or want of the member. Yes, they could do the program on their own, but at great cost in time and financial resources. </div>
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Some key programs and services that associations can always do better than their members are:</div>
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<b>Networking Meetings:</b> A member could never bring the best minds together once or twice a year for the cost of dues and the meeting. The time it takes to coordinate a meeting alone would take them totally away from serving their own customer.</div>
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<b>Online Training:</b> This is like printing money. Once your content is in place, members enroll, take courses, and money flows into the association bank account with little human interaction. If you are not doing online training, you are missing an amazing program that saves your members a great deal of money on training, and drives revenue into the association.</div>
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<b>Financial Benchmarking:</b> Being able to see how you compare to your competitors, sales trends, and cost ratios, help any association member to make really good business decisions. Benchmarking takes an unclear future and makes it pretty clear, if done right. Another benefit of benchmarking is if you get great participation, there are companies who will purchase the compiled results from the association. Again, members could never do this alone because other members would never submit their financial numbers to a competitor, but they would submit them to a third party research firm that the association has partnered with.</div>
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<b>Leadership Training:</b> When it comes to leadership training, large companies can afford to bring in a high-caliber company. The average association member, which represents about 90% of memberships, cannot. They have to be satisfied with little, to no training at all. Our association has proven that if you choose a top notch leadership training company, who trains Fortune 500 companies, and bring them aboard, then you can provide the same high-caliber training to every member for a fraction of the costs. The benefit here is, you engage the next generation of leaders, and you have a year in the program to motive and inspire them as to why the association is so important to them.</div>
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The key behind discovering the programs and services that will maximize your member engagement and per member revenue reside in two things:</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>Having a great understanding of how your member operates, and what their pain points in business are.</li>
<li>Choosing to develop programs in areas that the association can do more effectively than the member can individually.</li>
<li></li>
</ol>
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Our association developed this mantra in 2005, and since 2006, our per member revenue has increased 33%. The increase in annual services income has played a large role in our association going from having 1 month of reserves in the bank in 2006, to now having 15 months of reserves in the bank today.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPfwhxfTOza4D3HbrFqB0Hmzlz8B7PGeYKtK10wl7Qd5mqN2uKUnFhbANwH9pX9uWsjw73fUksSOQjj-utUQ3tSUWvKD62CmscrdnuLDEA4geZQ1n5tWK44_qbWXRW4OIUTVhoFuWAPU/s1600/IMG_9005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPfwhxfTOza4D3HbrFqB0Hmzlz8B7PGeYKtK10wl7Qd5mqN2uKUnFhbANwH9pX9uWsjw73fUksSOQjj-utUQ3tSUWvKD62CmscrdnuLDEA4geZQ1n5tWK44_qbWXRW4OIUTVhoFuWAPU/s200/IMG_9005.JPG" width="200" /></a><b>So what is your next step: </b> Take a team of members and staff, and analyze every aspect of your member's business, operations, and financials. Look for the areas that cause your members the most heartache in the daily grind of doing business, and solve those pains with programs from your association.</div>
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A key element to program development is, who should you use as partners. We only partner with the best in any area. I've placed the companies and contact information for our partners for your reference. I have also included a couple of companies I know who are excellent in their area. For meetings, I've noted a few incredible speakers because they brought great value to our meeting experience which led to higher attendance.</div>
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<b>Financial Benchmarking</b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b>Ilumen:</b></span> www.ilumen.net - Michael O-Schannesey - 404-446-1600 x1607 moshaughnessey@ilumen.com</div>
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<b>Online Training Platform</b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Mindfash.com:</span></b> www.mindflash - Jason McMurtry - 800-771-1900 x21- jason@mindflash.com</div>
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<b>Others in Online Learning</b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Peach New Media:</span></b> www.peachnewmedia.com - Dave Will - 770-805-6292 - dwill@peachnewmedia.com</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Digitec Interactive:</span></b> www.digitecinteractive.com - Amy Bassett - 407-299-1800 - abassett@digitecinteractive.com</div>
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<b>Leadership Training Program</b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">The Corps Group:</span></b> www.thecorpsgroup.com - Kyle Howlin - 678-464-7037 <a href="mailto:khowlin@thecorpsgroup.com">khowlin@thecorpsgroup.com</a></div>
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<b>Key Speakers Who Will Bring Value to Your Conference</b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Kenn Kington:</span></b> www.kennkington.com - kenn@kennkington.com</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Kenneth Gronboch:</span></b> www.kgcdirect.com - ken@kgcdirect.com</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Janine Driver:</span></b> www.lyintamer.com - janine@lyintamer.com</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Dan Thurmon</span></b>: www.danthurmon.com</div>
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<b>Association News & Conference Video</b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Association Studios:</span></b> www.associationstudios.com - Jim Wacksman - 850-556-9669 - jim@AssociationStudios.com</div>
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<b>Website and Graphics Design</b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Design Extensions:</span></b> www.designextensions.com - Jay Owen - 877-378-6101 jowen@designextensions.com</div>
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So there you have it, the choice is yours in 2014. Don't let dues drive your value! Seek out the areas that are the most painful to your member's daily operations and needs, and plug in programs that will maximize engagement and revenues. Remember...."You will only achieve, what you can conceive."</div>
Tom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226785420112197806.post-23103246739506121752013-12-05T07:47:00.002-08:002013-12-05T08:51:54.882-08:00Don't Go Another Year With a Board With Old Thinking... Make 2014 Count For Something<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19px;">It's December 2013 and every association is about to embark on a new year. A year in which we want our associations to go to a new level, membership to increase, more members engage in our programs and a vibrant board who is thinking futuristic with great ideas and innovation at the forefront.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;">In reality, the problem is many boards are still stuck looking into the past, not the future. Hanging onto traditions, which at the time were amazing, but that aren't meaningful to the overall membership any longer. Trying to appeal to the new wave of members in ways that don't draw them closer to the association.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;">Associations are currently experiencing one of the biggest dynamic shifts in technology and demographics ever experienced in human history. Business is changing at lightning speed, traditional business models are no longer relevant, and each demographic group wants things differently.</span></div>
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19px;">Yet many boards are choosing to ignore these changes and instead make decisions and instead make decisions that are driving their associations to become irrelevant to their members. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19px;">One of the biggest challenges associations face today is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19px;">motivating and inspiring their boards to face facts and take steps to move their association’s communication strategy, value propositions, and member service models into the future.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;"><div style="font: 19.0px Calibri; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19px;">The problem, you see, is that many board members believe they are in the membership business. Success and failure is defined by asking, “How much did we grow membership this year?” That is wrong thinking.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;">
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Right thinking is to not just sell a membership, but to sell a cause.. a revolution built behind a passion of decisions that can empower members and make a real difference in their lives.</div>
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Your association is in the business of creating a financially strong organization that has the funding to do the purpose of the organization. If you do that, people will want to join.</div>
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The questions that you, as a board member, constantly need to ask are, “What real value are we delivering to the member?” and “Is it shifting with the changing demands of our current and future members?”</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo87hYoXYwM2Qh6df1R_I0JkYnTWE8CxayIzBDwLz3aUZhh2vLyOmdVcSaMR24MKC_hRpMQvU5kjxWguwICUAqMD2gFGtNCzLrI7a9iBdb6qTM3CfvRMN1VaaRWWaz5a8B0Vsou5zeIvg/s1600/IMG_0876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo87hYoXYwM2Qh6df1R_I0JkYnTWE8CxayIzBDwLz3aUZhh2vLyOmdVcSaMR24MKC_hRpMQvU5kjxWguwICUAqMD2gFGtNCzLrI7a9iBdb6qTM3CfvRMN1VaaRWWaz5a8B0Vsou5zeIvg/s200/IMG_0876.jpg" width="150" /></a>Many boards today are predominantly controlled by baby boomers, who in large part rebel against making radical changes away from how it's always been done to adapt their associations. Baby boomers belonged to associations just to belong because their fathers were there at the birth of the organization and they ran around as a child at the association meetings. The younger generation was not there and is far removed from the emotional experience of the start of the association. They want to know, "What's in it for me? What is the real value?"</div>
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Engaging with the concepts of innovation and change isn’t about making some radical shift that disrupts the association so much it splits the membership. Successful innovation and change starts with small steps, and continues with targeted, incremental changes that sees member value, loyalty, and excitement rise year after year. (I’ve seen this in my own association, where in the past eight years membership has increased 13%, non-dues revenue up 132%, and our overall net member surplus increased 858%.) </div>
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Some associations may actually require a radical shift, but most simply need a series of small consistent changes over time to create the wave of excitement every association longs for. </div>
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Below are three of my ten keys for tapping into innovation as a board member and building that<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b> <a href="http://www.associationrevolution.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Association Revolution</span></a></b></span> that maximizes the recruitment, engagement and strength of any association:</div>
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<b>Identify the problems you need to solve as an association: </b>I’m amazed at how many associations embrace solutions because “everyone is doing it” without identifying the problem first. You shouldn’t be putting up a Facebook page without answering the question, “What problems are we solving by having the Facebook page?” Real innovation means matching up tangible solutions to meet real member problems, while also introducing futuristic ideas to solving problems we aren’t aware of yet. The key is to define the challenges of your members, and help them solve the problems they can’t solve effectively by themselves.</div>
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<b>Survey your membership: </b>As a board member, you serve the membership. That’s why you were elected. A key element to making great decisions as a board is to survey your membership on its thoughts about problems and solutions. Keep your finger on the pulse of how your overall membership views programs, services, and technology, and use the data to drive your value proposition. If they believe in the programs, they’ll remain members.</div>
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<b>Look at your financial trends: </b>There are four key metrics you need to look at over time. These four numbers tell you whether board decisions are enhancing member value, or driving the association into the abyss.</div>
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<li style="font: 19.0px Calibri; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Total Member Surplus at Year End.</b> This displays the overall success of the organization in building financial resources to do the work of the association.</li>
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<li style="font: 19.0px Calibri; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Total Membership Each Quarter.</b> This tells you the direction of member confidence. If members have confidence in your association, retention rates are high, and membership continues to grow.<b> </b></li>
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<li style="font: 19.0px Calibri; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Rolling 12 Months of Revenues and Expenses Each Quarter.</b> This helps you see the impact of your board decisions on monthly basis.</li>
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<li style="font: 19.0px Calibri; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Revenue Per Member on a Quarterly Basis.</b> This shows how engaged the members are in member programs.</li>
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<li style="font: 19.0px Calibri; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Quarterly Non-Dues Revenue vs Dues-Revenue.</b> This allows you to see the connection of non-dues vs dues revenue to your overall budget. If dues is level, yet non-dues revenue is growing, you don't need to think about a dues increase as seriously. It helps you make good decisions and not knee jerk, "We need to raise the dues."<b></b></li>
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19px;">Looking at these trends graphically at a board meeting will tell you within seconds if you are on the right track, or if you need to do something different. It’s amazing how quickly the conversation changes when you see any of those numbers heading south.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;">
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<b>NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS:</b> Would you spend $495 to change the thinking of your board? I have recently launched my "live" presentation online, "How to Get Your Members to Scream Your Name and Beg for MORE". The most common comment after my session is, "I wish my board would have been here to hear this." Well now they can. Click the short promo video to the right to see what others think about this session.</div>
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<iframe align="right" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="200" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rARC8wPi6gQ?feature=player_embedded" width="325"></iframe><span style="color: #ff1a15;"><b>SPECIAL OFFER:</b></span> Purchase the 90-minute energetic program before December 31, 2013 and you will get it for $495 ($500 savings) for up to 20 of your board members and staff to watch. Each one will have until March 31, 2014 to complete the session on their own, its 24/7 and able to be viewed on computer, tablets and other mobile devices at their convenience. It includes my powerpoint handouts, the 90-minute session and a set of ten mini-breakouts in a document for each one to work through a series of thought provoking questions from the video.</div>
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Don't go another year letting your board think the way it was done in the past is going to sustain their association in the future. Help them make the shift in thinking NOW! Enroll your board and staff in my <a href="http://www.associationrevolution.com/"><span style="color: red; text-decoration: underline;">Association Revolution</span></a> session today.</div>
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<span style="color: red; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.associationrevolution.com/">CLICK HERE</a></span> to see full details, promo videos and order link.</div>
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Tom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5226785420112197806.post-80384669632262334272013-11-12T07:01:00.003-08:002013-11-12T07:01:35.310-08:00The Power of Networking.... Maximizing Every Handshake
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Networking, as defined by Webster Dictionary is, “a
supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals or
groups having a common interest.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Today we live in a business climate in which the demands on us as
individuals can be almost overwhelming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It moves at light speed; change is constant, and the ability to keep up
with it all seems impossible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With this fast paced and changing environment, in a world where we can
never really “know it all”, why would anyone try and go it alone?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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The first key to any advancement or growth in personal life,
professional development, or business, is surrounding yourself with a
constantly growing network of people who can provide you or your organization
help at any given time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To build a
network of people effectively, you have to understand the art of networking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my opinion, networking is one of the
greatest life skills never taught to us as children or as business people, yet
we are called upon to do it everyday.</div>
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The way to build a network is not about entering a
conversation to see what a person can do for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first step in networking is to get to know people and
see how you can help them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Zig Ziglar stated years ago, “If you help enough people get what they
want, you will always get what you want.” </div>
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Recently I attended the MPI WEC meeting at Amelia Island,
Florida, where I heard Laura Schwartz <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stated
over and over that while she was working her way up through the ranks, whenever
she would enter any social event and meet people, her number one question was,
“How can I help you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnsoyUUViMQzyowqkj1BkikFhz7P5dXmEgiQtNGeaAqhyORe9H6_iHZ_N_Utyj-pRum_cur07lRsaPC-rs5o2ajEcE9j9wUOqtcq7MUbIH0QKOUFrFFikmdd-HkiNnBekqEOZ4yZAHrk/s1600/IMG_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnsoyUUViMQzyowqkj1BkikFhz7P5dXmEgiQtNGeaAqhyORe9H6_iHZ_N_Utyj-pRum_cur07lRsaPC-rs5o2ajEcE9j9wUOqtcq7MUbIH0QKOUFrFFikmdd-HkiNnBekqEOZ4yZAHrk/s200/IMG_0143.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
speak about how she rose from the
position of intern at age 19 in the White House, to the Director of Events and Meetings
for the White House. Ultimately, she produced every event President Clinton was
involved with.<br />
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In the world of networking, people always remember those who
have helped them be successful, and typically they are more than willing to
return the favor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The key to
this element is that you give to help them achieve their goal <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">without</i> expectation of the return
favor…that makes it genuine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be
the best at networking, you must be a giver of help…not a taker.</div>
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As stated earlier, networking is about a connection to a
group of people who, through your positive relationship, can help you at any
given moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The key to a network
is in your common interests or needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some areas to think about building a network in would be:</div>
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<li>Groups with similar interests</li>
<li>Individual with similar needs</li>
<li>Same age range</li>
<li>Mentors</li>
<li>Sphere’s of Influence</li>
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The second key to networking is to know yourself and
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take time to
understand the strengths and weaknesses of the four different personality types.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most successful networkers I’ve
ever experienced have always been able to identify what makes people tick
within minutes of talking to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Knowing this allows them to know “how” to talk to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people want to hear vision…some want
to hear about your family…some want to hear the bottom line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you would like to see the
strengths and weakness of the four personality types, you can visit <a href="http://www.tommorrison.biz/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.tommorrison.biz</span></a> and click on “Tom
Morrison’s Handouts”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There you
will find a downloadable document that will be very eye opening about yourself,
as well as, the people you meet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The four personality types have all been characterized in many ways, including
Greek words, shapes, animals, and colors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> They all break down to four:</span></div>
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<li>Life of the Party</li>
<li>Decision Maker</li>
<li>Perfectionist</li>
<li>Can’t We All Just Get Along</li>
</ul>
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Think about it…if you were about to enter a room full of
people who spoke four different languages, wouldn’t you have a much better
experience if you knew all four of the languages, and could talk in a way that they
all understood every word you said?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The same is true with personality types.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We tend to speak to a person, like we are talking to someone
who thinks just like us…big mistake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You need to talk to people in a way that “they understand what you are
wanting to communicate.”</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMv8EAa-7Vow9cWazkZY1Sxs_pOLatLRB2Wawc_0bMsrd6mL_Kt3QVhGv4xVrKqc46zBAtsdideL68EyuUjIZ7lcXSqI7o1boXvb-E4KNmC8IgYoz3XP7SpuL6sx4woF0sQyMZyzM-HdA/s1600/IMG_9360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMv8EAa-7Vow9cWazkZY1Sxs_pOLatLRB2Wawc_0bMsrd6mL_Kt3QVhGv4xVrKqc46zBAtsdideL68EyuUjIZ7lcXSqI7o1boXvb-E4KNmC8IgYoz3XP7SpuL6sx4woF0sQyMZyzM-HdA/s200/IMG_9360.JPG" width="200" /></a>The third key is to understand that networking is continuous
and perpetual…it never stops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every time </div>
you enter a room or shake a hand, it’s an opportunity to meet
someone who may be the connection you need for a job a referral or help getting
in the next door.<br />
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I know what many of you are saying at this point, “But Tom,
I’m not a people person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
uncomfortable in a room full of people, especially people I don’t know.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me assure you that many people you
may meet in that room feel the same way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So my encouragement to you is to step out of your comfort zone, and
introduce yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of
this article, I will share a simple system for you to use on how to start up
and move a conversation forward with anyone.</div>
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A few other keys you need to note on being a power networker
are:</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Be Viral:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A ton of networking and connection
takes place online with LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Minimize and
eliminate time wasters:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your
time is valuable and while you are talking to someone who has no interest in
who you are, you are missing out on connecting with someone who will be a vital
connection to your life.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Listen with your
heart and often:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simply put,
be genuine and hear people’s stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t fake whoBe real and transparent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you open up your heart to people
and listen to theirs, that is when the ultimate connections are made.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Always be aware of
where you are, who you are with, and who could be watching:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a time and place for everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the world of
networking, you want to make sure you aren’t letting your hair down in an
environment that could have negative consequences to some future opportunities
you may have.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Be curious:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask lots of questions and get to know
who you are with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People LOVE to
talk about themselves and what they do for a living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They love to brag about themselves, leverage that to your
advantage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Share your wisdom when
asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always ask people for
permission to give them feedback.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Help people create ideas and solutions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t be afraid to challenge ideas.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Remember and use
names:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People love to hear other
people call them by name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
don’t think so, try saying, “Thank you INSERT NAME”, next time you purchase
something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will see the person
smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Calling someone by name
says, “You were important enough for me to remember your name.”</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Not everyone will
like you:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember that we are
all different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not everyone likes
certain personalities, there are differing opinions, many people have a past
history that won’t allow them to like who you are and some are going to be
jealous of you for whatever reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t let it deter you…move on, they are most likely time wasters.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Everybody is
somebody:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always assume you
need to meet a person…never under estimate who you<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That person could know the person who
is your next boss or next big client.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Always treat everyone you meet with respect and honesty as if they are
the person who knows someone else you need to meet.</div>
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are shaking hands with.<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Business cards:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the American Express commercial
says…“Never leave home without it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These are how people remember you once you leave their presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next level is to have a QR code
people can scan with their phone, this way you are in their phone immediately.</div>
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Now that you know the keys to networking, I want to share
with you a simple system for connecting with people once you have entered the
room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you approach someone at
the bar, or just in a small group, you have just reached out your hand and said
typically, “Hi, my name is…..”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most people don’t know what comes next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is what comes next, it’s called F.O.R.M.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">FAMILY</b> – everyone
likes to talk about their family, so you start with simple questions like:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Where are you originally from?</li>
<li>Does your family live here?</li>
<li>How long have you and your wife lived here?</li>
<li>What are your kids into at their ages?</li>
</ul>
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At some point, you then will transition into:</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">OCCUPATION</b> – most
people like to talk about what they do whether it’s good or bad, so you move
into these questions:</div>
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<ul>
<li>So what do you do for a living?</li>
<li>How is the economy in that industry?</li>
<li>What are the major challenges a company like yours is seeing
right now?</li>
<li>What do you like most about your job?</li>
</ul>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">RECREATION</b> –
people have passions or outside work activities that they love:</div>
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<ul>
<li>When you aren’t at work, what do you like to do?</li>
<li>What do you like best about that activity?</li>
<li>Are you a sports fan?</li>
<li>Who is your favorite team?</li>
</ul>
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</div>
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After talking with someone about their Family, Occupation,
and Recreation, it is now <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MY TIME.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem is you never get to “MY
TIME” because you spent so much time letting the other person do what they like
to do most…talk about themselves.</div>
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Your letting them talk so much about themselves, leaves them
thinking you are this incredible listener, and an awesome person they just
met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BOOM!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Connection made.</div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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Again, networking is a life skill everyone should
master.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Start working on your
ability to connect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You never know
which hand you shake that will change your life forever in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A hand I shook in 1995, called me in
2005 to ask me if I would come be his #2 guy to take over as CEO when he
retired in two years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
said, while interviewing me, he always remembered how passionate my ideas were
when he met me 10 years earlier…<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a>I was his only call to be
his #2 person.</div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Tom Morrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526720002783838200noreply@blogger.com1