Simply put, divergent thinking applies non-traditional, creative ideas to problems and progress in all areas of life. These techniques provide a novel approach that can result in profound positive change for your association. Here’s how. What Is Divergent Thinking? Divergent thinking is one of two mental processes required for creative problem-solving. Convergent thinking, the first […]
In the U.S., people attend approximately 11 million meetings a day, with the average person spending three hours a week on meetings (and nearly a third spend five hours or more). While some meetings are critical, generative spaces where everyone leaves motivated and validated, most — about 71% — are unproductive and a waste of […]
Just when we thought we were turning the corner on the Great Resignation and a hiring and retention crisis, there’s a new term to worry about – quiet quitting. While not an entirely new phenomenon, quiet quitting is quickly gaining in popularity as professionals share their experiences on social media and shifting mindsets around work continue […]
Professional development can be so beneficial for your organization. It increases employee retention, productivity and buy in while closing skill gaps and supporting the bottom line. But implementing a professional development program just for the sake of saying your organization has one isn’t going to cut it. So how do you implement a professional development […]
Professional development may have taken a backseat to emergency management as most associations learned to navigate their way through a global pandemic, but it’s time to revisit this critical offering. Here’s why professional development is so important and how to find funding for it. Why Professional Development is Key The world is ever-changing, moving faster […]
In a tight labor market, how do you differentiate yourself in the war for talent? At the School Nutrition Association (SNA), we used a few innovative tactics that yielded significant returns over the last few months. On the heels of a new strategic plan and following an organizational restructure, our association embarked on a hiring […]
For many organizations, hiring has been a top priority for 2022. And that trend continues with employers adding over 500,000 jobs in July alone. Yet, one industry has begun to see some cracks in its hiring strategies – big tech. According to Crunchbase, “more than 34,000 workers in the U.S. tech sector have been laid off […]
From handling member engagement to planning your next event, committees play an essential role in the operation of associations. However, finding volunteers and keeping them committed can often be the biggest obstacle to success. While some organizations may opt to appoint committee members, this can impact your diversity efforts and prevent new members or young […]
When it comes to creating or offering professional development for your members, there is no arguing that it’s valuable and necessary. However, for many association professionals, the subsequent response is often, “where do I find the time?” Whether it’s because of shortening attention times or limited schedules, finding time for learning opportunities is tough, and […]
For purpose-driven organizations, the most critical question for boards is often how do you do more with less? One answer for many associations is hiring an association management company (AMC). These companies are designed to help manage the day-to-day operations of an association while also providing them with access to staff, software and resources that […]
