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A great strategic plan conveys a compelling shared vision of the future of your association – as well as a clear pathway to get there. It is a fabulous tool for motivating your Board, staff, members, and other stakeholders. It also ensures your strategy creates a tangible and long-lasting positive impact. For more than 25 years, Belinda has been refining a process for association strategic planning. In this session, she will share her bespoke process and provide you with all the information you need to run the most successful strategic planning session ever. This session is great for those wanting the insights necessary to run their own plan, or those seeking to better understand modern strategic planning processes so they can better direct their facilitator.Click here to&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/uXgVA8M2VJU" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Watch the Webinar (opens in a new tab)" data-mce-href="https://youtu.be/uXgVA8M2VJU">Watch the Webinar</a>.

How to Create a Strategic Plan that Really Works (Video)

Blue medical mask,Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Associations are a critical element of a successful democratic process. They are a useful mechanism for people to act collectively to achieve shared goals. The specific goals vary from association to association but include outcomes such as:<ul><li>Proactively influencing their legislative landscape.</li><li>Accessing services and support specific to the needs of the collective.</li><li>Enhancing the skill and education of people within the collective.</li><li>Connecting with the rest of the collective community for mutual benefit.</li><li>Advancing a positive impact on a cause shared by the collective.</li><li>Delivering or facilitating services on behalf of the collective.</li></ul>For this reason, a strong association sector has a direct impact on the success of the economy as well as the livelihood and well-being of many Australians. It is important that associations themselves are strong so they can continue to nurture the professions, industries, and causes that will drive the recovery and help those affected.Yet many of these organisations were already struggling prior to the advent of the COVID-19 crisis.Over the past 15 years our society has been transforming in ways that have fundamentally altered the operating landscape of associations. The rapid evolution of technology, the fragmentation of communication, and major generational shifts to name just a few.&nbsp;Prior to the crisis there was already a desperate need for associations to innovate – not just to thrive but to survive.Unfortunately, many associations have been hindered by internal inertia, legacy issues, and change-resistant organisational cultures. The fundamental changes required were stymied and many associations were already struggling to varying degrees. As associations started to lose sight of their core purpose – and how to fulfil this – competitors began moving in to fill the emerging gaps that associations were not nimble enough to fil.&nbsp;The COVID-19 crisis created a catalyst for change that could not be ignored.For many associations, the crisis has provided an opportunity to rapidly overcome internal or perceived barriers and create fundamental positive change within their organisations that will enable them to create a much higher level of positive impact on their members into the future.The idea that the long-term impact of this crisis will be positive for the association sector is backed up by new research.A comprehensive report on the current and future impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the association sector found more than 50% of the 426 associations surveyed believed the impact would be positive over the medium to longer term.Many respondents reported they were already seeing positive results due to the significant innovation required by associations to adapt.COVID-19 has been an opportunity for associations to gain a clarity of purpose that has enabled many to quickly enhance their relevance to members.While not all associations will survive this crisis, those who have taken the opportunity to adapt will emerge stronger and better positioned to create a positive impact on members than ever before.&nbsp;Other findings include:<ul><li>There will be permanent changes in the way associations run their events with a significant shift to hybrid and online events, as well as changes to the way face-to-face events run.</li><li>Many reported their virtual and hybrid AGMs were more successful than their previous face-to-face meetings and they would now be looking to retain that format into the future.</li><li>A skilled leadership and staff team, supported by a nimble organisational culture, were the three most powerful contributing factors to an associations’ ability to navigate the crisis effectively.</li><li>There is a permanent shift to remote working models with only 10% of respondents intending to revert to how things operated previously. The vast majority indicated they would be more amendable to working from home arrangements in future. 4% of those surveyed said the shift to working from home would be permanent and they would not be returning to the office.</li><li>Associations operating in industries and professionals badly affected by the crisis are expecting a negative impact on member retention this year.</li><li>Despite most associations having reserves sufficient for at least 3 months, Jobkeeper was an important factor in the ability of associations to adapt during the crisis. Many respondents are concerned about the impact of the removal of Jobkeeper on their members, the economy, and their associations.</li></ul>You can <a data-mce-href="https://uploads.commoninja.com/pdf_gallery/1698639033053_REPORT_-COVID-19_-_Enduring_Lessons_for_Associations_FINAL_REPORT.pdf" href="https://uploads.commoninja.com/pdf_gallery/1698639033053_REPORT_-COVID-19_-_Enduring_Lessons_for_Associations_FINAL_REPORT.pdf" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">download a full copy of this free research report</a>.

COVID-19: A Catalyst for Positive Change

Visualization of the coronavirus causing COVID-19

426 associations participated in this comprehensive research project that provides insight into the current and future impact of the COVID-19 crisis on associations. Learn what associations did, what they learned, and what insights we need to integrate into our future planning processes. The report includes a “what did we learn” section to enable you to gain a quick overview of what you need to know when planning for the future.Download your PDF copy at&nbsp;<a href="https://uploads.commoninja.com/pdf_gallery/1698639033053_REPORT_-COVID-19_-_Enduring_Lessons_for_Associations_FINAL_REPORT.pdf" target="_blank" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" data-mce-href="https://uploads.commoninja.com/pdf_gallery/1698639033053_REPORT_-COVID-19_-_Enduring_Lessons_for_Associations_FINAL_REPORT.pdf" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">COVID-19 and Beyond: Lessons for Associations from the COVID-19 Crisis Report.</a>

COVID-19 and Beyond: Lessons for Associations from the COVID-19 Crisis

black metal fence near building during daytime

The operating landscape of associations is undergoing a seismic shift. Associations need to act now to ensure they can navigate these shifts to emerge stronger and more relevant than ever before. In my new whitepaper,&nbsp;<a href="https://uploads.commoninja.com/pdf_gallery/1698638730700_WHITEPAPER_-_Association_Apocalypse.pdf" target="_blank" aria-label="Association Apocalypse (opens in a new tab)" data-mce-href="https://uploads.commoninja.com/pdf_gallery/1698638730700_WHITEPAPER_-_Association_Apocalypse.pdf">Association Apocalypse</a>, you can read more about the:<ul><li>Six fundamental shifts occurring in the association operating landscape,</li><li>Three key models associations will need to re-invent, and</li><li>Eleven core operational enablers associations must get right along the way.</li></ul>This whitepaper has been designed to assist association leaders to understand the scale of the change coming and create a platform for productive discussions within their associations about appropriate pathways forward. If you have more questions please feel free to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.smsonline.net.au/about" data-mce-href="https://www.smsonline.net.au/about">contact us</a>&nbsp;to find out how we can assist.<a href="https://uploads.commoninja.com/pdf_gallery/1698638730700_WHITEPAPER_-_Association_Apocalypse.pdf" target="_blank" aria-label="Read the whitepaper. (opens in a new tab)" data-mce-href="https://uploads.commoninja.com/pdf_gallery/1698638730700_WHITEPAPER_-_Association_Apocalypse.pdf" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">Read the whitepaper.</a>

Association Apocalypse Whitepaper

Light symbols of zodiac and horoscope circle, Capricorn Zodiac Sign

Interested to know your future for 2019? Concerned about unforeseen surprises that might jump out at you? Worry no more as our 2019 Horoscope for Association Executives will reveal your future …Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 19)Many years of database frustrations will be overcome when a Board member will recommend a friend who can actually solve the problem. Just kidding. Your database issues will continue to frustrate you. You will make an executive decision to throw all your computers out the window and revert to managing your membership by card file. Member retention and engagement increases.Taurus (April 20-May 20)After experiencing problems retaining members you will undertake a member survey. Overwhelmingly, the members will express disappointment with the fact you do not offer a specific service. You have been offering that service for the past 20 years. You will undertake a major promotion utilising all media channels and a signification portion of your budget to let your members know the desired service exists. Two members will take up the offer.&nbsp;&nbsp;Gemini (May 21 – June 20)You will experience a golden moment in time where all your Board members read their board papers and also attend the meeting where a critical issue is being discussed. Unfortunately, due to injuries sustained after being bitten by a rabid Life Member, you will be absent from the Board meeting for the first time ever. The issue will be held over till the next Board meeting. None of your Board will be available to attend.Cancer (June 21-July 22)Your Board will run a fantastic strategic planning day and develop a fabulous vision for the future of the association. Unfortunately, as you and your team will not be involved, this will be completely unrealistic and not remotely possible given the financial and staff resourcing of your association. To implement this strategy, you will move into your office to save the time commuting between your bed and work each day. Sales of whiskey and the profitability of UBER Eats in your area will spike. The strategy will not be as lucky.Leo (July 23-August 22)The President of your association will make several announcements that will garner significant levels of front-page media coverage around the country. This would have been great news if these announcements had been pre-agreed and conformed to the documented association position on the matter. Over the course of the year you will undertake copious amounts of PR and media skills training. You will have ample opportunity to apply these skills liberally.Virgo (August 23-September 22)Your board decides to run your annual conference at an offshore destination. One of your particularly vocal Board members has always wanted to travel to Nigeria. After a robust exchange of views, including your comprehensive assessment of broad range of potential risks, the Board votes. They unanimously decide they would also like a holiday in Nigeria courtesy of your annual conference. The timing is perfect as you will receive an email from a long-lost uncle in Nigeria who has left you nineteen million dollars.Libra (September 23 – October 22)You will successfully cultivate a relationship with the Australian Prime Minister and gain commitment for funding to cover all your major programs. This funding will ensure your association will successfully move forward into the future. On the day your funding is due to be approved, the Prime Minister will be deposed by a faction led by a talking donkey. The Australian public will overwhelmingly approve of the new addition to parliament with the consensus being “at least our Prime Minister isn’t as much of an ass as other world leaders”. The donkey eats your application for funding.Scorpio (October 23-November 21)The giant white elephant that has been sitting in the middle of your Board table will go berserk. The loss of your favourite mug in the ensuring chaos will be offset by the joy of seeing your most frustrating Board member being chased permanently off into the distance by the elephant. The giant white elephant will return and resume its place in the middle of the table. Everybody will pretend it didn’t happen and it isn’t sitting there. You aren’t at the fun end. Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)You will painstakingly prepare a budget for the new financial year. It will be a stunning piece of work with forecasts carefully created using insights from data that has been thoroughly checked and double checked. Conservatively, you estimate a small surplus for the year. The Board are not happy. They want the budget to show a larger surplus, so they unilaterally quadruple your sponsorship income targets. They will then decline the budget for a sponsorship sales person. Your bonus for the year will be based on achieving the new sponsorship targets. Capricorn (December 22-January 19)You will be offered the opportunity to attend the premier international conference for your industry as a guest of the organisers. It will be an opportunity to connect with senior leaders from similar associations to exchange ideas and best practice. You will have the opportunity to present about a project you have personally developed and managed with great success and it will also be a welcome opportunity to take your first holiday in several years. Your President hears about the trip and decides to take your place. She cancels at the last minute and no one from your organisation attends. Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)You start a new job at an association. Your new assistant decides she doesn’t like you. When you ask her to schedule a meeting in your calendar she says it’s not in her job description. When you point out that it is in the job description (and that diary management is at the very top of the list) she accuses you of bullying and takes stress leave. She was the only other staff member. She hadn’t told you any of the passwords yet. Her father is the president of the association. Pisces (February 19 – March 20)You will find yourself in the unusual position of having a fantastic Board, motivated staff, engaged and growing membership base, and growing reserves. It will seem so easy that you will start wondering if you are dreaming. You will pinch yourself and wake up to find a Board member going through your inbox. She’s opened the care package from your mother and has sucked all the chocolate off your choc peanuts. She sees you are awake and offers you a shiny choc-free peanut.Think this won’t happen to you? Every one of these things (or something very similar) has happened to an association professional during 2018. Every. Single. One.&nbsp; If you want to guarantee a successful 2019? Take the time to network with other association professionals so, when things go a bit crazy, you’ve got a solid group of people who can help. All the best for a successful 2019!&nbsp;

2019 Horoscope for Association Executives

Follow the rocket suggesting leadership and management vision


Associations and sponsorship go hand in hand. But developments in technology and changing brand requirements have seen these partnerships shift significantly in recent times. Julian Moore from Strategic Management Solutions (SMS) explains these factors. The new sponsors Around 2014, a new trend in sponsorship began to emerge, underpinned by the development of application technology. Because the market for apps has grown exponentially, developers often find themselves spending the vast majority of their funding on promotion to differentiate themselves from the competition. To make an impact on the community or industry they are marketed to, they have become some &nbsp;of the biggest sponsors in the non-profit sector. &nbsp;Simultaneously, exclusivity has become an overriding factor in sponsorship. Many companies are now happy to spend more money to ensure the presence of less partnerships, with a higher level of engagement. The average number of annual association partnerships has fallen to an average of 12, down from over 20 in the past. Co-branding is also becoming more common, where the sponsor’s logo may appear next to the association’s, on products and projects. Growth and collaborations Let’s now take a look at some of the association partnerships sought by various industries. In the IT sector, Google are actively targeting non-profits that can assist them with their Google X project – the research and development arm of the tech giant. If, for example, Google X is doing optical testing for diabetes, then they might look to get hold of people with Type 1 Diabetes through a diabetes related charity. In the pharmaceutical industry, mental health is a big initiative. Mental health associations would be wise to collaborate with Servier, a French pharmaceutical company that is in the process of developing a non-SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressant, where the aim is to provide a higher quality level of sleep to affected individuals. Also, in the pharmaceutical space, companies like Weiss and Novaris are attempting to penetrate the paediatric sphere, so they are actively seeking partnerships with new mum and playgroup associations. The beverage industry is pushing water as a product and partnership. Companies like Coca Cola, who produce Mount Franklin, are therefore seeking collaborations &nbsp;with conservation-based associations. In terms of events, producers of champagne are on the lookout to sponsor large-scale soirees. Moving onto high-end goods, suppliers like Moet Hennessy, Mont Blanc and Louis Vuitton are looking to target association board members. Purveyors of luxury cars such as BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Lexus are similarly looking to generate partnerships where they will gain access to high earners. Defence-force suppliers like VAE Systems, Raytheon and Boeing – makers of missiles, drones and tanks – are trying to diversify their range by transferring their capabilities into other areas such as aeronautics, mining, power generation and infrastructure. To promote these developments, they are seeking collaborations with defence associations or unions that supply employees to these industries.&nbsp;

Blog

How to Create a Strategic Plan that Really Works (Video)

COVID-19: A Catalyst for Positive Change

COVID-19 and Beyond: Lessons for Associations from the CO...

Association Apocalypse Whitepaper

2019 Horoscope for Association Executives

What Are The New Influences and Drivers of Association Pa...