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How the Printing Press Reshaped Associations

Earlier this week, I found myself standing inside Heidelberg Castle, wandering through its German Pharmacy Museum. I’d expected to be charmed by the old jars and antique instruments - and I was. But what truly fascinated me was something quieter, yet far more powerful: the story it told about pivotal role associations played in shaping not just the pharmacy profession, but the very fabric of society across some of Germany's most turbulent times.Tucked into the castle’s stone walls was a story of resilience—of professionals uniting, again and again, to navigate upheaval, protect standards, and uphold the public good. It’s the kind of story that associations know well, even if it’s rarely told on a grand stage.Standardising a NationThe journey began in 1871 with the formation of the German Empire - a chaotic patchwork of states suddenly tied together under one national identity. Just one year later, the Pharmacopoea Germanica was published: the first unified medical formulary for the empire. But perhaps even more significant was the founding of the Deutscher Apothekerverein (DAV) (German Pharmacists’ Association) that same year.At a time when industrialisation was exploding and healthcare was shifting from folk remedies to formal systems, DAV stepped in to bridge the divide between pharmacists, government, and the emerging pharmaceutical industry. They weren’t waiting for someone to create order—they were the order. Representing over 4,000 chemist shop owners, DAV ensured that professional voices helped shape national policy from the outset.&nbsp;Through Industrialisation and Social ReformBy the turn of the 20th century, cities were swelling, factory workers were gaining access to basic healthcare, and nearly every citizen could afford some form of medical treatment. Associations helped pharmacists respond to these changing demands—not just as service providers, but as regulated, respected professionals navigating a rapidly modernising world.Over 300 pharmacy-related organisations emerged to represent different interests. They became the interface between a fragmented profession and a complex political landscape - fighting for standards, fair regulations, and access to education. Their work was essential in translating industrial and scientific progress into practical healthcare for the public.Navigating Darkness: Nazi Rule and Soviet ControlThen came the darkest chapters.In the 1930s, as the National Socialists rose to power, associations were co-opted or dismantled. The independent DAV was swallowed into a state-controlled body—the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher Apotheker (ADA) (Working Group of German Pharmacists) - tasked with aligning pharmacists to Nazi ideology. Jewish pharmacists were expelled, often violently, and the profession was restructured around racial purity and political loyalty.Even within this oppressive context, associations -now stripped of autonomy - were used to impose control. They were no longer vehicles of professional empowerment, but tools of propaganda and exclusion. It was a cautionary tale about what happens when associations are denied their independence.After the war, the ruins of this system were literal and symbolic. Of the 7,500 chemist shops operating before the war, nearly 80% were destroyed. The rebuilding of pharmacy, and of trust, would take decades.In East Germany under Soviet control, pharmacies were nationalised. The public health service in people’s property became the ideological anchor. Professional pharmacy education was redesigned under socialist principles, and chemist shops became state-run. Associations, in any Western sense of the word, were effectively eliminated. Professional identity was subsumed by the state.Reunification and Renewal It wasn’t until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 that pharmacy - and professional associations - were free to flourish once more across a unified Germany. In the West, organisations like the Bundesvereinigung Deutscher Apothekerverbände (ABDA) (Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists) had continued to evolve, advocating for professional recognition, regulatory clarity, and the role of pharmacists in the healthcare system.After reunification, the pharmacy system in the East was restructured to mirror the West. Associations again became the architects—not just of professional standards, but of unity. They helped reintegrate training systems, regulatory frameworks, and ethical guidelines across two very different legacies. Today, that structure supports over 17,500 chemist shops across Germany.Lessons in Quiet LeadershipWhat struck me most, standing in that quiet museum at Heidelberg Castle, was how often associations were the ones holding the line. Through industrial booms, social reforms, authoritarian regimes, economic collapse, and political reunification - it was associations that translated chaos into continuity.They protected the profession when it was vulnerable. They advanced it when opportunities emerged. And, most importantly, they ensured that public health didn’t lose its way when the world did.&nbsp;In our own time - rife with rapid technological change, political polarisation, and shifting community expectations - the story of German pharmacy is a timely reminder: Associations are not just responders to history. They are makers of it.&nbsp;And sometimes, the most impactful leadership doesn’t come from the front page - but from the footnotes of a museum display, quietly preserving a legacy of trust, integrity, and collective courage.

Associations in Action: A German Tale of Pharmacy, Politics, and Persistence

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If you’d told me a few years ago that my closest research collaborator would be an AI, I probably would have smiled politely and changed the subject. Yet here we are.When I set out to explore what’s really happening inside associations around the world, I knew I needed more than the usual spreadsheets and surveys. The Global Association Research Initiative (GARI) wasn’t just a standard data collection exercise – it was a full-scale, multi-country listening tour, with 586 respondents from 30 countries and hundreds of data points per respondent.This wasn’t just a “tick-the-box” job. It was a puzzle. And not the fun Sunday afternoon kind – more like trying to piece together a giant, constantly shifting mosaic using a soup spoon and a blindfold.So, I called in reinforcements.Enter Scout – my AI research partner.Scout (who named itself, by the way) isn’t just a souped-up chatbot. It became my indispensable partner. While I brought three decades of association strategy experience, Scout brought something I couldn’t: the ability to scan, cross-reference, and analyse vast volumes of data at lightning speed.Here’s what that looked like in practice:<ul><li>Layered logic made personal: Each respondent in the GARI survey received a different set of questions based on their role in the sector. Scout helped make sense of the resulting complexity without reducing it to oversimplified averages.</li><li>Pattern detection on steroids: Scout identified connections I would otherwise have missed - like how financial pressures vary based on hybrid work models, or why optimism around AI runs higher in smaller associations.</li><li>Conversational analysis: The magic wasn’t just in the algorithms. Scout let me talk to the data. I could ask real questions (“How do burnout rates compare between event-heavy and advocacy-focused associations?”) and get nuanced answers – in seconds.</li></ul>Of course, every finding was still manually verified, debated, and tested for sanity. This was not an AI-led report – it was a human-led project, supercharged by machine intelligence. The result? A report packed with clarity, subtlety, and the kind of real-world insight that only emerges when you combine AI horsepower with lived sector experience.Not seen it yet? <a data-mce-href="https://cdn.commoninja.com/asset/71325ca9-72ce-44b2-a5fb-b0a46fceb782.pdf" href="https://cdn.commoninja.com/asset/71325ca9-72ce-44b2-a5fb-b0a46fceb782.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Check it out here</a>.And that, in a nutshell, is the future I believe in. Not AI replacing people – but AI helping us do what we do best. Think better. See further. Act faster.Want Your Own Scout?Register to attend Julian's <a data-mce-href="https://events.answers.net.au/BuildYourOwnAIAssistantToolusingChatGPT#/" href="https://events.answers.net.au/BuildYourOwnAIAssistantToolusingChatGPT#/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Build Your Own AI Assistant/Tool using ChatGPT webinar</a> on July 16 to learn how to make one yourself. Alternatively, email <a data-mce-href="mailto:julian@smsonline.net.au" href="mailto:julian@smsonline.net.au" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">julian@smsonline.net.au</a> if you'd like to get something moving sooners. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

How I Partnered with AI to Analyse a Monster Dataset (And Why You Might Want To, Too)

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Let’s not sugar-coat it: the association sector isn’t going through a rough patch – it’s operating in a new reality.We’re not waiting for things to go “back to normal.” We’re building organisations to thrive in a world where volatility is the new baseline, expectations are sky-high, and the pace of change makes your annual strategy session feel outdated by lunch.In the <a data-mce-href="https://smsonline.net.au/blog/new-research--purpose-under-pressure---global-association-trends-2025" href="https://smsonline.net.au/blog/new-research--purpose-under-pressure---global-association-trends-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Purpose Under Pressure: Global Association Trends 2025 report</a>, we analysed insights from over 580 professionals across 30 countries. The result? Five clear imperatives that future-focused associations aren’t just talking about – they’re embedding into every level of decision-making:1. Navigate an Uncertain Environment.&nbsp;We’re not riding out a storm. This is the weather now. Associations are contending with geopolitical shocks, polarised communities, AI disruption, climate volatility, and economic strain. Meanwhile, their teams are expected to deliver clarity, calm, and continuity – often while juggling half the resources they need. To lead in uncertainty, associations must build operational and emotional resilience. That means scenario planning, agile governance, and a laser-sharp articulation of purpose.2. Build Strategic Infrastructure.&nbsp;Good intentions are great. But without systems, they don’t scale. Resourcing pressure is biting. Strategy stalls. Tech projects limp along. Many associations are trying to deliver 2025-level experiences with 2013-level infrastructure – and the cracks are showing. Only 0.3% of respondents had embedded AI across their operations. Seventy-two percent said integrating tech remains a major challenge. And the most common phrase in our qualitative responses? “We know what to do – we just don’t have the time, people, or tools to do it.”3. Strengthen Financial Sustainability.&nbsp;Growth doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from doing the right things better. Eighty-four percent of associations named financial sustainability as a top challenge. And while there’s plenty of talk about diversifying income, most associations still rely on three core streams: membership, events, and sponsorship. The problem? Those streams are under strain – and too many associations are experimenting with new revenue ideas without first stabilising their foundations.4. Deliver Meaningful Value.This is where the game is won or lost. Member loyalty isn’t automatic anymore – it’s earned. And in 2025, “value” isn’t about how much you offer. It’s about how relevant and felt those offerings are. Younger members want personalisation, speed, and values alignment. Everyone wants visible wins – fast. If your onboarding doesn’t deliver “aha!” moments in the first 30 days, expect quiet disengagement.5. Lead With Purpose.Purpose isn’t a slogan. It’s a strategic anchor. It shapes decisions, attracts partners, and builds trust. And increasingly, it’s what members and stakeholders are looking for when they choose who to support. In an age of collaboration, those with clear purpose also make better partners. And in a sector ripe for mergers, alliances, and shared ventures, being able to lead from purpose – not panic – is a critical capability. Now is the time for associations to lead with clarity, courage, and convictionThese five imperatives aren’t abstract ideas. They’re practical levers that strong associations are pulling right now – to evolve, lead, and thrive despite the pressure.&nbsp;If your strategy doesn’t yet reflect these imperatives, now’s the time to recalibrate.Need Some Help?Want help embedding these imperatives into your own strategy? Whether you need a sounding board, a strategy refresh, or support bringing your team along for the ride, I’d love to help. Email me at <a data-mce-href="mailto:belinda@smsonline.net.au" href="mailto:belinda@smsonline.net.au">belinda@smsonline.net.au</a> and let’s explore what that might look like for your organisation.

Five Strategic Imperatives Every Association Leader Should Be Embedding Right Now

There’s a quiet shift happening in the association sector.More and more professionals - especially those with deep experience and strong networks - are exploring what it means to step into consulting. Some are doing it between roles. Some alongside their current job. Some as a full-time move. Others are helping out a friend’s association and realising, hang on... I could actually charge for this.In the <a data-mce-href="https://smsonline.net.au/blog/new-research--purpose-under-pressure---global-association-trends-2025" href="https://smsonline.net.au/blog/new-research--purpose-under-pressure---global-association-trends-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Purpose Under Pressure research</a>, 1 in 4 respondents said they’re already consulting. And another 40% are considering it - with 13% planning to make the leap within the next three years.This isn’t a blip. It’s a structural shift.Why Consulting Is CallingThe top drivers are pretty consistent:<ul><li>A desire for more flexibility</li><li>The chance to make a bigger impact across multiple organisations</li><li>The ability to choose projects that align with your purpose</li><li>And, for some, the very real burnout of being one person doing five roles inside one association</li></ul>The work is there. Associations are under pressure. And many are turning to consultants to fill critical gaps in strategy, governance, marketing, events, tech, and transformation.&nbsp;But here’s what we also heard from the consultants in the data - especially those just starting out:&nbsp;“I know how to do the work. I just don’t know how to be a consultant.”The Barriers Are Real - but SurmountableConsulting might sound like a dream - but it comes with valid questions:<ul><li>How do I price myself?</li><li>Where do I find clients?</li><li>How do I balance this with my day job?</li><li>Will it create conflicts with my board or manager?</li><li>Is this even legitimate if I didn’t “mean” to start doing it?</li></ul>The research surfaced three key barriers:<ul><li>Time constraints – Trying to build a business while still working or juggling family.</li><li>Pricing uncertainty – Not knowing what your work is worth, or how to scope a project.</li><li>Employer boundaries – Concern about how side consulting is perceived by current employers.</li></ul>On top of that, some cited imposter syndrome, fear of “selling themselves,” or simply not knowing where to start. Even experienced professionals weren’t sure they had the legitimacy to call themselves a consultant.A Growing (and Needed) WorkforceWhat’s clear is that the sector needs you - not just as an extra pair of hands, but as a strategic partner equipped to help solve the most pressing challenges associations are facing right now.In the <a data-mce-href="https://smsonline.net.au/blog/new-research--purpose-under-pressure---global-association-trends-2025" href="https://smsonline.net.au/blog/new-research--purpose-under-pressure---global-association-trends-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Purpose Under Pressure research</a>, association professionals identified the following as their most significant organisational challenges:<ul><li>Delivering compelling member value (86%)</li><li>Engaging and retaining members (85%)</li><li>Ensuring financial sustainability (84%)</li><li>Developing long-term strategy and innovation (83%)</li><li>Attracting new members (81%)</li><li>Building strong member communities (80%)</li></ul>And that’s just the top six.These aren’t isolated issues. They’re deeply interconnected. And solving them requires capacity, clarity, and confidence - three things many in-house teams simply don’t have the bandwidth to generate on their own.That’s where consultants can add immense value. &nbsp;And many of the best consultants? They’re former association professionals. People who’ve been in the trenches. Who get the politics, the pace, and the purpose. And that inside-out understanding is exactly what makes you valuable.You Don’t Have to Go It Alone&nbsp;One of the themes that came through strongly in the open comments was isolation. New consultants - especially side-hustlers - often said they felt unsure, invisible, or overwhelmed.But you’re not on your own.There’s a whole community of consultants-in-the-making who are asking the same questions, testing the waters, and looking for clarity.So let me offer this:If you want to explore whether consulting is right for you, join me at the <a data-mce-href="https://events.answers.net.au/AssociationLeadersRetreat2025#/?lang=en" href="https://events.answers.net.au/AssociationLeadersRetreat2025#/?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Association Leaders Retreat</a>. After seeing the research, the team at Answers for Associations are adding in time to explore pathways into consulting - what works, what doesn’t, and how to find your place in the market with confidence and clarity.&nbsp;Whether you’re already consulting, casually helping others, or just wondering if you could - this is a chance to get practical, real-world guidance in a supportive environment.It’s a chance to learn from peers, ask real questions, and explore your options in a supportive, down-to-earth environment.📍 Monday 28 July | Port Douglas, Australia 🌴 Sun, strategy, and smart conversations await. 🌿 <a data-mce-href="https://events.answers.net.au/AssociationLeadersRetreat2025#/?lang=en" href="https://events.answers.net.au/AssociationLeadersRetreat2025#/?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Register to attend the Association Leaders Retreat</a>Because consulting isn’t just a job—it’s a way to stay in the sector you love, in a way that works for your life, your skills, and your purpose.And if you’re feeling that quiet nudge? Maybe it’s time to explore it. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Thinking About Consulting? You’re Not Alone.

📢 Don’t have time to read the full report? We’ve got you covered!🎧 <a data-mce-href="https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/ff48388c-66cd-4ddb-930b-19ddb33b29bb/audio" href="https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/ff48388c-66cd-4ddb-930b-19ddb33b29bb/audio" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Purpose Under Pressure: Global Association Trends 2025 is now available as a podcast</a>.Instead of letting the report languish in your reading folder (you know, the one that’s basically the professional version of the veggie drawer – where good intentions go to die), you can listen in while walking the dog, commuting, or driving. In this podcast we break down the biggest global trends shaping associations in 2025 – from member expectations and tech disruptions to financial stress and the evolution of leadership – all in an easy, engaging format.🟦<a data-mce-href="https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/ff48388c-66cd-4ddb-930b-19ddb33b29bb/audio" href="https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/ff48388c-66cd-4ddb-930b-19ddb33b29bb/audio" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">Listen Now﻿</a>

Blog

How the Printing Press Reshaped Associations

Associations in Action: A German Tale of Pharmacy, Politi...

How I Partnered with AI to Analyse a Monster Dataset (And...

Five Strategic Imperatives Every Association Leader Shoul...

Thinking About Consulting? You’re Not Alone.

🎧 Podcast: Purpose Under Pressure