McKinley Advisors

In this era of accelerating change, strategic agility is becoming as critical to associations as it is to Fortune 500 companies. What does this look like in action? The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) boldly prioritized future challenges in their 2024-2027 strategic plan. Rather than maintaining the status quo, AASM's leadership proactively addressed both immediate member concerns and emerging industry trends. They are focusing on payment advocacy, public awareness, and technology integration including AI. Are you ready to embrace strategic agility at your organization? Learn how to in the blog post, "How to Keep Your Strategic Planning Nimble and Responsive" by Meena Dayak: https://hubs.ly/Q02_DJ_00

In the past year, association boards of directors have significantly increased their focus on the strength of the field’s workforce. Additionally, conversations about major industry changes and their impact on the association’s future vision remains a top priority. An increasing number of boards are focused on disruptions to the association’s business model and policies to take on social issues or current events. These insights come from our annual survey of association executives—highlighting the evolving priorities shaping the future of associations. Where is your board placing its focus?

🎯 Thrilled to share our latest article in Association Forum on how associations can drive greater impact through strategic portfolio analysis! Did you know that some associations run hundreds of programs that go virtually unused? In today's rapidly evolving landscape, finding the right balance between mission impact and financial sustainability is more crucial than ever. We worked with the Specialty Food Association (SFA) to optimize their program portfolio. Bill Lynch, President of the SFA, shared that the changes they made as a result of our portfolio analysis led to the following: - Double-digit growth in exhibit space and attendance at their Fancy Food Shows. - Record-breaking new member acquisitions. - Significantly improved member satisfaction scores. The key? A data-driven approach to portfolio analysis that helps associations: 1. Evaluate program performance objectively. 2. Make informed decisions about resource allocation. 3. Navigate the emotional aspects of retiring legacy programs. 4. Stay responsive to changing member needs. As Jay Younger says: "Regular analysis of financial, human and operational investments ensures that associations maintain a healthy and sustainable balance across the portfolio." Read the full article by Caroline Baugher to learn how your association can use portfolio analysis to drive greater impact while preserving that critical balance between mission and margin: https://hubs.ly/Q02-M0mY0

What major trends or changes do you expect to occur within the field or industry your association represents over the next 5-10 years? Based on a recent survey we conducted with association executives, the key themes identified were: - AI & Technological Transformation - Workforce Challenges - Regulatory Complexity & Political Uncertainty - Shifting Business Conditions Understanding where your industry is heading is vital for shaping your association's strategic roadmap. The reality check: ✔️AI adoption is accelerating across industries. ✔️ New generations have evolving expectations in the workforce. ✔️ Advocacy has never been more critical. ✔️Value propositions are under pressure. Which of these trends are you focusing on? Share your thoughts below.

Are you attending Association Forum's Holiday Showcase? Make sure to check out George Miller, MS, CAE's session, "Associations by Day, Vintage by Night." George will explore his passion for associations and vintage, and you may be surprised by what they have in common! Come ready to laugh, learn, and leave with new (and vintage) solutions. Associations by Day, Vintage by Night Thursday, Dec 5 1:50-2:05 p.m. CST Learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q02ZHBx_0

Many associations invest significant effort in strategic planning - conducting member and non-member research, gathering board and staff input, and carefully analyzing past performance. While these efforts often result in clear strategy documents, our experience shows that even the most comprehensive planning doesn't automatically translate to successful execution. In the blog post, "How Successful Associations Implement Strategy," Tim Hopkins, CAE explores a critical insight: implementation planning must begin before your strategic plan is finalized. Tim identifies key themes that distinguish successful strategic execution: - It's vital to establish an overarching vision or “North Star” that guides strategic choices and direction. The strategic plan should contain the “why” and the “what,” and the “how” comes later during implementation. - Strategic planning is the opportune time for associations to make bold choices. This process involves creating clear and focused priorities and objectives given what the association wants to achieve. - It's important for associations to identify and leverage their key strengths in order to strike the right balance between ambition and success. Learn about the critical factors and practices that support successful implementation here: https://hubs.ly/Q02YY71D0

The survey landscape has evolved significantly over the past few decades, with response rates becoming a challenge across various sectors. Here are four proven strategies you can adopt to boost participation and maintain data quality: - Keep Surveys Short and Focused: Shorter surveys (less than 10 minutes in length) generally receive better response rates but also more thoughtful responses. It’s essential to ask only the most important questions. - Personalize the Invitation: Personalization enhances the likelihood of engagement and shows respondents that their input is valued. - Communicate the Impact: Show how previous survey results led to meaningful changes within the association or your respective industry or field to build trust and motivation to participate. - Leverage Member Ambassadors: Member ambassadors can act as trusted voices, encouraging their peers to participate and emphasizing the importance of the survey. Learn how to ensure meaningful engagement and maximize the value of your surveys in the blog post, "Low Response Rates: What They Mean and How to Improve Them," by Candace Vanderpoel. https://hubs.ly/Q02YqtKw0

On behalf of the Association Forum Governance SIG (special interest group), George Miller, MS, CAE will be co-moderating the upcoming session, "Right-Sized Governance," with Ashley M. Perzyna of the National Association for College Admission Counseling and Karen Horting of the Society of Women Engineers. Session Learning Outcomes: - Explore the concept of minimum viable governance to support flexibility and agility in your decision-making processes. - Discover how to create and maintain structures that satisfy members' desires for engagement, volunteerism and/or participation in governance. - Understand the critical role of change management in successfully implementing governance adjustments. Event Details: Association Forum Headquarters Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 9–10:30 a.m. Central We are looking forward to this engaging and insightful governance session! Register here: https://hubs.ly/Q02Yhycw0

"We're great at brainstorming new offerings, but not at deciding which ideas to pursue." Does this sound familiar? Association leaders have the potential to launch innovative products and services, but limited resources to pursue them. We've developed an evaluation rubric that takes the guesswork out of prioritizing new initiatives. This practical framework helps you systematically assess new products, offerings and services to identify your most promising opportunities. Join us for a webinar designed to equip association executives and board members with the tools needed to assess new and innovative revenue ideas, featuring a tutorial on the rubric. During this session, you will: - Explore the key factors that should guide your assessment of new offerings. - Discover how to utilize our scoring system to make informed decisions. - Learn how to overcome the challenges associated with pursuing innovative ideas. Date and Time: Tuesday, November 19 | 1–2 p.m. ET Content Leaders: Megan Cruz, CAE, McKinley Practice Director Susan Davis, CAE, McKinley Senior Consultant This session will provide the tools you need to make confident, strategic decisions. Reserve your complimentary spot today. https://hubs.ly/Q02XYv550 Access the evaluation rubric: https://hubs.ly/Q02XYDBt0

In today's polarized environment, CEOs face a unique challenge: when and how to navigate societal issues that impact their associations. These situations often involve deeply held beliefs and emotionally charged perspectives that seem impossible to reconcile. How can leaders effectively steer their organizations through these complex waters? Through McKinley’s research on behalf of the ASAE Association Insights Center (AIC), we've developed a comprehensive framework to help CEOs navigate these challenging waters. This approach encompasses five key elements: - Listen - Facilitate - Assess - Protect - Act As a CEO, you have the power to transform high-stakes issues into opportunities for organizational growth and understanding. By providing a structured framework for respectful, solution-oriented discussions, you can help your association navigate even the most challenging situations while staying true to its mission and values. The blog post, "Leading Through Complexity: A CEO's Guide to High-Stakes Conversations," by Kristi Graves Donovan, MS, CAE explores this framework and provides guidelines for productive dialogue: https://hubs.ly/Q02WTLvK0