I often hear from Chambers of Commerce and member-based associations that they’ve set common goals of increasing new members and member engagement. To accomplish these goals, success begins with the very first interaction. That first conversation is key to opening the door, moving away from general conversation to specific discovery. What do I mean by […]

Over the past several years many organizations have begun to address the composition of their memberships. Every CEO who oversees a public institution should be closely reviewing their structure. So too, should the organization’s board of directors. In fact, any meaningful effort to be introspective should begin at the very top of the organization: it’s […]

We live in an increasingly busy world. Thirty years ago, people met face-to-face, shook hands, perhaps made the occasional phone call. Twenty years ago, the fax machine added a new, quicker way to communicate. Ten years ago, emails communicated what you needed with friends and colleagues. Today, we have all of those things, plus text […]

Thanks to a partnership with the Flint/Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, my employer will save dollars in the high six digits that would have been used to pay property taxes over the next 10 years. No doubt, a pretty substantial return on their membership investment, right? To help me gain traction in a new role […]

Ten years ago, I completed my final week at Institute in Tucson and followed it by serving on the Board of Regents at Villanova for a few years. Like many, I used those class hours to sit for the CAE examination and earned my CAE designation thanks to all of the wonderful Institute instructors and […]