Association 4.0: Recent Episodes

Sherry Budziak

Welcome to the Association 4.0 Podcast – your association’s no-fluff playbook to navigating and thriving in Industry 4.0, or the digital marketplace. Each week we bring expert insights to help you and your association stay ahead of the curve.

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Trust is more than a buzz word. It’s the lifeline of an organization or team. Trust is essential for fostering a positive culture in associations, according to Kevin Martlage, Senior Consultant at .orgSource and expert in interpersonal dynamics and organizational culture. As a certified Myers Briggs practitioner, Kevin also highlighted the need to reimagine culture to create a supportive environment for innovation. He emphasized the importance of intentionality, transparency, and empathy in building trust, and the need to align expectations and overcome blind spots. Kevin also stresses the importance of assessing and defining an organization’s culture by identifying what good looks like through several key factors. By incorporating these factors into the workplace, whether online for in-person, employee relations will improve and create a more positive work environment. Listen in!

Reach out to Kevin directly at martlage@orgsource.com to learn more about how he can help organizations with culture assessments or visit www.orgsource.com to schedule a meeting with one of our team of experts.

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Artificial intelligence is certainly top of mind for association leaders and board members. That’s why we are delighted to feature .orgSource Consultant, Sue Dykema, on today’s episode. Sue has over 27 years of experience working as CEO and in various managerial positions at the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and is an expert in guiding organizations to achieve strategic objectives. Her esteemed track record and deep roots in the association industry bring a unique perspective that we can all learn from to find efficient solutions and make wise decisions.

In this episode, Sue emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence in associations to build trust and a positive culture for members. In addition, she discusses how board members can determine when artificial intelligence can be leveraged for tasks and when a human perspective is needed instead. Lastly, Sue shared her thoughts on how associations can reimagine governance in light of the shifting digital landscape.

All in all, Sue highlighted that technology is a tool to build productivity and associations need to be wise when incorporating it into their organizations. Listen in to learn how!

To get in touch with Sue, please email sue@orgsource.com or sherry@orgsource.com.

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Joining us on the podcast today is .orgSource Managing Director of Digital Strategy, Sharon Rice, and .orgSource Consultant, Jennifer Proctor. About a decade ago, Sharon used to be Jennifer’s supervisor, which sparked the conversation of the relationship between staff members and directors, and how associations can better support those in positions of power to work at their full potential. Sharon and Jennifer identified three major areas of consideration.

In order for managers and directors to be more successful, they must first analyze their capacity. If there is a feeling of dread before the work day starts, or the feeling of never having enough time to get tasks completed, this could be a sign of burnout. To overcome this feeling, Sharon and Jennifer recommend using some of those vacation days to reset or delegating accordingly.

The second area managers and directors can find success in is having their staff create weekly status reports. This doesn’t have to be a lengthy write-up. It can be as simple as a one-page document with bullet points. A weekly status report is an excellent way for association leaders to stay informed about projects and build stronger connections with their staff.

Last, but not least, managers and directors need to remember they are in a unique position to understand the strategy of an organization and where the waste is. Waste doesn’t necessarily equate to a monetary value either. Waste could be identified by finding a better use of everyone’s time. For example, if meetings are disrupting too much of the day, why not establish a boundary of “No Meeting Mondays” where staff and leaders can be free to focus on their tasks for at least one day of the week?

There is a plethora of “food for thought” knowledge in this episode that is perfect for any leader in an organization. Feel free to send us a message on social media @orgsource to let us know some of the ways we can help association’s “unsung heroes” find success. Happy listening!

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Despite the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and virtual services, a recent study found that students and younger generations are eager to attend in-person meetings and serve on committees. This is exciting news for associations and nonprofits as they look to the future to determine what value they can bring for members.

According to Senior Vice President of Digital and Technology at the American Geophysical Union, Thad Lurie, CAE, CIP, more and more people are hesitant to trust everything they read or see online and are seeking trustworthy sources to help answer their questions. This is where associations and nonprofits come in to help cut through the noise. The beautiful thing about these organizations is that they bring people together in a way that other businesses can’t because they can be a guiding entity that provides advice, resources, education, and camaraderie. While the digital landscape will continue to become more complex, trust by association is something organizations can look forward to.

With over 25 years of experience in IT and technology, Thad Lurie offers sound advice for analyzing data, choosing the right types of artificial intelligence, and strategies boards can do to become more successful. Listen in!

To get in touch with Thad Lurie, connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thadlurie/

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In honor of Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we are delighted to have association legend, Richard Yep, CAE, FASAE, on the Association 4.0 Podcast. His 40+ years of experience working in the association world has truly made him an expert in understanding the current trends in digital transformation and artificial intelligence and how they can be applied to organizations. Yep is currently in the midst of writing a book that discusses the transition of bouncing off ideas with coworkers by the office water cooler, to turning to AI for advice.

A lifestyle change is evident in Yep’s eyes. For associations to remain relevant, they must understand how to maximize the potential of AI and how they can use it to improve their organization without losing their special sense of community and camaraderie.

Are the days of knocking on your CEO’s door for help long gone? Let’s find out in this wisdom-packed episode.

To get in touch with Richard Yep, email: Richard.k.yep@gmail.com

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In a landscape where information, education, and association are increasingly accessible at little to no cost, organizations must pivot towards offering value that extends beyond mere access. However, innovation can be difficult to achieve for non-equity based organizations that don’t have 50 million dollars at their disposal. Our guest, Stephanie Mercado, Executive Director and CEO at the National Association for Healthcare Quality, suggests that associations focus on building strong communities (virtual or in-person) where members can collaborate, exchange ideas, and support each other, creating a sense of belonging and shared purpose that goes beyond what can be found in the vast sea of online resources.

Furthermore, Mercado encourages organizations to take the time to nurture their own employees and engage in yearly team bonding events. Her staff has seen an immense improvement in connection and productivity because of their heightened ability to work together collaboratively. Ultimately, staying relevant in a world of abundant free resources requires organizations to evolve into dynamic hubs of value creation, where expertise, community, and personalized experiences take center stage. Tune in to learn more.

You can follow Stephanie Mercado on LinkedIn or visit https://nahq.org.

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This episode of the Association 4.0 Podcast reveals a truth that practically everyone can relate to. The interest in networking and in person connection has never been more prominent than it is today in this post-COVID, technology-driven, world. That’s good news for associations and nonprofits, according to our guest, Kim Robinson, President of Frontline Co.

The demand for finding and connecting with like-minded people is only going to become more prevalent over the next few years. People appreciate in-person activities because of the isolation they’ve experienced during the pandemic and are craving human connection, says Robinson. This is how associations and nonprofits play such a huge role during this societal transition.

With their ability to bring industry professionals together over a common goal or interest, it’s clear the impact of associations and nonprofits isn’t dwindling anytime soon. Tune into this episode to learn more about opportunities for associations to engage their target audiences, how nonprofits can leverage artificial intelligence, and whether or not advocacy should be on an organization’s mind. Listen in!

To learn more about Kim Robinson and her team, visit https://frontlineco.com

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Think of AI as a highly intelligent coworker or partner. It can help us create. It can help us predict. It can help us understand. It can help us see the hidden. While artificial intelligence can help elevate associations in numerous ways, our guest, David Reid, Owner of Strategic and Consulting Services, suggests that the software needs to be regulated and monitored by the right people. With a strong background working in the IT department for companies like AT&T, AmeriTek, and NASA, we’d say Mr. Reid knows a thing or two about this subject.

For the CEO’s sitting at their desks, looking at their associations wondering how in the world they are going to incorporate AI into their strategic plans, fear not, this episode is for you. In truth, the reality is that artificial intelligence isn’t coming…it’s here. According to Reid, you don’t really have a lot of time to wait and see where this AI thing is going. So don’t stand with your feet on the ground because the train is moving on. Tune in to this vibrant discussion to learn more about generative AI and how to leverage its knowledge in your organization or business.

To get in touch with David Reid, please email david@reid-iba.com.

Links from this episode:

Artificial Intelligence | 60 Minutes

https://youtu.be/aZ5EsdnpLMI?si=L0z-ZmJLMOyuuriJ

What is generative AI and how does it work? – The Turing Lectures with Mirella Lapata

https://youtu.be/_6R7Ym6Vy_I?si=awGCLalAVPBRaEjW

Figure Status Update – OpenAI Speech-to-Speech Reasoning

https://youtu.be/Sq1QZB5baNw?si=cpHaHv-qbRddzOkv

Compare the big 3 AI models

https://youtu.be/ELMDugD5dCA?si=IL_pH77Suy353FgK

Introducing DBRX: A New State-of-the-Art Open LLM

https://www.databricks.com/blog/introducing-dbrx-new-state-art-open-llm

Alignment problems (Robert Miles)

https://youtu.be/bJLcIBixGj8?si=ilWk2QtLhLFvP0Vr

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It’s all too common for organizations to use the word “lead” in their mission statement. While this isn’t a negative quality to highlight, Garth Jordan, CEO of the American Animal Hospital Association, and Sharon Rice, Managing Director of Business Strategy at .orgSource, urges associations to think twice before using that word in their mission statements.

In their experience, organizations are more successful if they focus their energy on the value they provide to their members and consumers rather than using a catchy word to create a certain image. To members, value might mean how much “stuff” they get with their membership. However, with the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, member-benefits like magazines or newsletters, may lose their luster over time.

This refreshing conversation redefines what true leadership means in associations and how they can go beyond the material value of a membership and create a lasting, positive impact on society and for the greater good. Listen in!

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Join us for an enlightening journey into the heart of how contemporary associations are harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive unprecedented change and efficiency. “AI Unleashed: Real-World Solutions and Results in Today’s Associations” is an enriching conversation tailored for association leaders, technology enthusiasts, and innovation strategists. Our esteemed panelists are Jason Wampler, Senior Information Technology Executive of the International Society of Automation, Luke Vidacovich, Director of IT and Digital Strategy at the American Animal Hospital Association, and Brian Willard, Director of IT for the CCIM Institute.

From membership engagement, personalized communication, to data-driven decision-making, learn how associations of various sizes and sectors have effectively implemented AI solutions.

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To invest in AI or not? That is the question so many associations face. While artificial intelligence may seem innovative and technologically advanced, organizations need to think hard about whether it’s the right move for their company.

Too often, our guest, Joseph Knecht, CEO of Proteus, sees associations fail after throwing everything they have into AI or a new software system. In their mind, investing in a new software should solve all their problems because it’s the “digital era.” However, Knecht suggests that associations become more “strategy-minded rather than software-minded” and to focus more on the needs of their customers or members.

“Know your customers and what they need from you and equip yourself with the right infrastructure to do that. In that order,” says Knecht.

It’s time to stop blaming marketing or another department for any low registration numbers and to start understanding what values your members seek from your organization and create a solid business model that reflects that.

Tune in to this wisdom-packed episode to learn more about how to leverage AI more effectively and tips to build an organization that will last for years to come. To learn more about Joseph Knecht and his company, visit https://www.proteus.co or email Knecht directly at jknecht@proteus.co.

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In the hot seat this week, is North Carolina Association of CPA’s Chief Operating Officer, Mark Soticheck. Mark weaves his extensive experience in accounting to this enlightening conversation with .orgSource’s CEO/Founder, Sherry Budziak. Together, they discuss how Artificial Intelligence has impacted their organizations, the potential demise of bookkeeping in associations, and when to unlearn any bad habits acquired over the last few years and reestablish new boundaries, new guides, and new ways of working together.

One of the simplest and most effective ways the NCACPA overcomes the challenges of communicating with their team, is by ensuring each person has their camera turned on during zoom meetings. This helps everyone become more intentional about their time and encourages their team to problem solve together.

Listen in to this episode to hear how Mark and his team create a balance between innovation and stability and to be reminded of the importance of being curious about what you’re doing and how you’re doing it.

To learn more about Mark Soticheck and his organization, visit https://www.ncacpa.org or get in touch with Mark directly at msoticheck@ncacpa.org.

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Let’s face it. Most professionals in the world enjoy being liked. While being admired isn’t a bad thing, it could lead organizations to settle for the status quo again and again. In order for progress to be made, our guest, international keynote speaker, best-selling author, and CEO/Founder of “Punks and Pinstripes,” Greg Larkin, encourages the professional “punks” to rise up.

Many associations struggle with advancing their organizations, whether it’s a fear of rejection from their board or an aversion to the chaos when implementing new programs, change is hard. That’s why change was made for the “hard core” folks AKA the “punks.”

Greg Larkin has founded his business, “Punks and Pinstripes” on the belief that opposition is validation, and that outlier perspective makes “punks” uniquely capable of solving hard problems. We’re so excited for you to listen to Greg’s impactful tips for innovation and learn how to embrace the qualities that make you different in an organization. Let’s be punk on purpose!

You can connect with Greg Larkin on his LinkedIn page, join the www.punksandpinstripes.com community, read his internationally best-selling book, “This Might Get Me Fired,” or watch some of his talks with the .orgCommunity.

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Stepping into the spotlight, is .orgSource’s very own Managing Director of Business Strategy AKA .orgSource’s “Resident Futurist,” Sharon Rice.

Sharon is an expert on strategic and business planning, growth strategies, comprehensive product development, and has helped numerous associations find lasting success. In this episode, we tapped into Sharon’s wealth of knowledge to discover applicable ways CEO’s and Executives can adapt to a more virtual environment and inspire their staff and board members to embrace a more collaborative planning method.

“Associations can create the future that they want to create. It’s all about being intentional,” says Sharon.

Instead of the typical, “set it and bake it” type of strategic planning, Sharon urges organizations to lean into iterative planning which allows more voices to be heard and better prepares associations for change.

From book recommendations for leaders to discussing whether or not organizations should keep their leases in a virtual culture, the amount of wisdom packed in this episode is something you won’t want to miss. Listen in!

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We had the pleasure of sitting down with Garth Jordan, CEO of the American Animal Hospital Association to discuss his thoughts on the current state of associations after the pandemic, how bosses can become more like mentors and guides, whether or not long-term strategies are worth planning, and much more.

This episode is jam-packed with advice for CEOs and association leaders to discover the path towards high collaboration within their board and how to build trust to minimize micromanagement. It’s time to eliminate the extraneous and unnecessary and create a more balanced and innovative organization. Tune into this powerful episode to learn how to simplify the journey towards excellence!

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Business, regardless of whether you’re in the profit or nonprofit sector, is fundamentally about people. An association’s employees and board members play a crucial role to the health of the organization and its future success. Finding and attracting the right people can prove to be a difficult challenge, especially in today’s fast-paced digital market.

Our guests, Don Dea, Co-Founder of Fusion Productions and digitalNow, and his son, Al Dea, Founder of Edge of Work, sat down with us to discuss how leaders can be better listeners, tips to attracting top talent, and the most effective ways to encourage a team to do their best work.

“If you did your job in terms of bringing the right people on the bus, you have to make sure they are in the right seats,” says Don.

Get ready to challenge assumptions, spark creativity, and invite exploration in this thought-provoking episode of the Association 4.0 Podcast. Listen in!

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Welcome to episode 81 with this week’s inspiring guest, Ashish Rangnekar, CEO/Co-Founder of BenchPrep. Sherry Budziak, Founder/CEO of .orgSource discovered the inside scoop into his wildly successful company. BenchPrep is proud to be the world’s first exam prep mobile app for iPhone. Since 2009, the app has transformed into a Learning Management System trusted by …

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Join us in this insightful episode as I sit down with Donna Gandt, Chief Revenue Officer at Impexium, a leading force in empowering associations through streamlined membership management solutions. In today’s conversation, Donna and I delve into a topic close to .orgSource’s heart—cultivating the executive mindset within your team. We explore the essence of “thinking …

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Join us in this enlightening episode as we sit down with Robb Rabito, the Senior Director of Program Development at the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST). Robb wears many hats, overseeing education, program creation, instructional design, accreditation, and online learning, all in the pursuit of advancing healthcare and professional development. Discover how CHEST is …

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This week, we have the pleasure of hosting Terrence Sykes, Chief Growth Officer at the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA). ENA stands as the leading professional nursing association, committed to shaping the future of emergency nursing through advocacy, education, research, innovation, and leadership. In this episode, Terrence delves into the transformative impact of the pandemic on …

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This week’s guest is Chris Gloede, Chief Consultant at Ricochet. For over 25 years, Chris worked on-the-ground driving marketing experimentation and change for the world’s most notable brands, including BP, Chrysler, Kraft, Unilever, and more. He later brought innovation culture to the American Bar Association as its first-ever Chief Marketing Officer, reversing decades of membership …

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In this episode, our host, Sherry Budziak, steps into the spotlight to discuss the transformative impact of technology on our interactions with association members. She explores the profound potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in reshaping how we engage with our members, enhance the value we provide, and streamline internal processes.

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Our Featured Guest for this week is Jay Daughtry, the Chief Communications Officer and Owner of C-cubed. With an extensive career spanning over two decades, Jay has established a robust reputation in account management, business development, marketing, and communications. C-cubed specializes in supporting clients across marketing, communications, and business development domains, often assisting organizations in … Read More Read More

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This week’s guest is Matty Rubenstein, founder of Aspaklaria, an association executive advisory firm he started about 15 years ago. For most of that time, he has been an interim strategy partner to many senior executives across IEEE, the Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers. For this episode, Matty talks to us about the challenges … Read More Read More

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Our guest this week is Dr. Michael Tatonetti, a Certified Association Executive and Certified Pricing Professional on a mission to advance associations in their pricing models for financial sustainability. As the Founder of Pricing for Associations, he and his team work with associations to harmonize pricing and value across membership, education, sponsorship, events, and marketing. … Read More Read More

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Welcome to episode 72 where Amy Williams, MSIMC, President and CEO of Hydra Communications LLC and Senior Consultant at .orgSource, and Jane Pearson, Vice President, Marketing and Communications at .orgSource, embark on a captivating journey through the vast landscape of artificial intelligence. In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into the transformative power of AI and … Read More Read More

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This week’s guest is Patrick Dorsey, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Impexium. Patrick is responsible for the positioning; demand generation; CRM and automated marketing initiatives; as well as the integrated marketing efforts for Impexium, Billhighway and Greekbill. With over 25 years of experience across all marketing disciplines, Patrick has designed and executed dozens of marketing initiatives focused on helping associations establish market leadership and exceed business objectives. For this discussion, Patrick talks to us about the relationship between technology and culture, and the the biggest misconceptions that association professionals have about technology needs. Let us take a deep dive on how the most successful organizations use technology to leverage and maintain a healthy culture for their staff and members.

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This week we continue our conversation with Beth Taylor and Randy Wilson from the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) in Chicago, IL about the importance of culture in today’s business environment. Our guests continue the discussion on how to intentionally build trust with your team in a remote setting and adjusting their leadership approach to match today’s current culture.

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Our guests this week are Beth Taylor and Randy Wilson from the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) in Chicago, IL. Beth is the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer and Randy is the Director of Architectural Precast Systems for PCI. Over the past 3 years, .orgSource has been working with PCI and their leadership team on numerous projects but specifically helping the team and staff clearly identify and enhance the culture of the organization.  Join us as we dive into a conversation with Beth and Randy on the impact they are making within their organization while creating a supportive work culture.

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This week’s guest is Vinnu DeShetty, CEO and Founder of EVA Event Tech Hub. In this episode, Vinnu talks to us about key event data points that associations need to collect. With the gaining popularity of virtual events, associations now have a new layer of data that they’ve never collected before. No, event data is not new. Yes, there seems to be a lot more of it. Gone are the days when event data stays in its registration silos. Associations want to know what to do with data that can provide them insights that can help the entire organization.

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This week’s guest is Jennifer Pitts, Vice President of Products, Programs, and Certification at the National Association for Healthcare Quality. Jennifer is a strategy-focused leader with an extensive background in growing the business of education and certification, as well as, developing talent. In this episode, Jennifer talks to Sharon Rice, Managing Director of Business Strategy at .orgSource, about how NAHQ exemplifies the benefits of a quality-first approach to business. From managing change and transition in digital markets to supporting your team in adjusting to new or disruptive circumstances, this is a must-listen for all growth-driven leaders of organizations.

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This week, our guest is Su Hawk, the Executive Director of the Colorado Society of Association Executives. Prior to joining CSAE, Su served as president/CEO of the Colorado Technology Association. Su’s extensive experience in the association industry combines leadership, collaboration, and a laser focus on priorities. Today, Sue talks to us about cultivating innovation across teams in an organization. Sometimes, boards are a stumbling block to change, especially when there is a fear of less than stellar results. This episode will center on what can leaders do to help their teams become open to new initiatives and experimentation.

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This week, our guest is Jennifer Michalek, Assistant Executive Director for Marketing and Communications at the Radiological Society of North America. Trained in situational and servant leadership, Jennifer heads multiple departments, a staff team of 40, and has led numerous committees and initiatives throughout her career in association management. In this discussion, Jennifer talks to us about how she supports a positive culture in such a large association and the challenges her team encounters along the way. As marketing teams usually play an important role in helping departments across the organization be aware of the values and mission, she shares with us some of the strategies her group uses to put everyone on the same page. Don’t miss this great conversation!

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How important is trust in your organization? How can it impact working relationships and the success of an organization as a whole? This week’s guest, Bill Bruce, CEO of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, talks to us why he made building trust a cornerstone of the beginning of his career as an association CEO. He dives deeper on why it is absolutely essential to address trust issues from a very intentional perspective for an association to survive and advance collectively.

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This week’s guest is member engagement specialist, Amanda Kaiser, who is also an author and sought-after speaker who has presented in many prominent association venues. In this episode, Amanda will talk to us about member engagement strategies that associations can implement in 2023. She also talks about her new book, “Elevating Engagement: Uncommon Strategies for Creating a Thriving Member Community,” and how it will make a difference within the association space. The book will be available on Amazon on Valentine’s Day. Preorder a copy now! 

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Social enterprise is growing in popularity, especially since the pandemic. This week’s guest, Dr. Catherine Lada, CAE, explains to us what social enterprise is and the benefits and opportunities for associations that adopt this mindset. She also goes on to explain why it’s important to align social enterprise activities to an organization’s mission and strategic goals. If your organization is new to social enterprise and doesn’t know where to start, listen up as Dr. Cathy has some great advice for you!

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This week’s Association 4.0 podcast episode is a must listen with our guest Adele Cehrs, CEO and Founder of the Convincing Company. In this episode, Adele shares her interactions with President Joe Biden and talks to us what a globally recognized publicist can teach associations about using convincing techniques to engage and attract members. If you think it’s impossible to change someone’s mind about something, start listening in. You might learn a thing or two!

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Our guest for this week is Dick Knapinski, Director of Communications at the Experimental Aircraft Association. EAA is the only association that offers the fun and camaraderie of participating in the flying, building, and restoring of recreational aircraft with the most passionate community of aviation enthusiasts. Dick talks to us about the EAA’s annual mega event and how it brings the biggest crowd of flying enthusiasts all over the nation and the world! He also delves into the organization’s biggest challenges and opportunities, the different strategies they employ in attracting the younger generation to become new members, and how they use technology to advance their communications goals.

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Our co-hosts for this episode are marketing mavens Amy Williams, MSIMC, President and CEO of Hydra Communications LLC and Senior Consultant at .orgSource, and Jane Pearson, Vice President, Marketing and Communications at .orgSource. They’ve come together to discuss the marketing trends to watch out for as we approach the new year. From quantifying marketing efforts … Read More Read More

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Do you know your team well? Do you know what they’re excited about? Do they feel supported by you? Our guest for this week, Kate Emshoff, Director of Business Operations at the American Medical Association (AMA), talks to us about the shifts in workplace culture that the AMA did as a result of the pandemic. … Read More Read More

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Our guest for this week is Elizabeth Lucas, Senior Consultant at .orgSource.  Liz was the Executive Director of the American Massage Therapy Association for 15 years and Executive Director and CEO of Soroptimist International of the Americas for 10 years. In this episode, Sherry and Liz discuss the importance of innovation for organizations and building … Read More Read More

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Our guest for this week is Michael DiFrisco, Chief Marketing Officer at the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). He is also the owner of BrandXcellence, a brand consulting firm, and has more than 30 years of experience in helping businesses connect with their target audiences. In this episode, Michael shares his views on how … Read More Read More

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Talent acquisition is certainly on every leader’s mind today, which is why we’ve brought on this week’s guest, Sarah Mitial, Founder and CEO of People Architectural Group. She’s a human resources professional who helps organizations hire and retain the best talent. Sarah talks to us about the most significant trends in talent acquisition today, and what … Read More Read More

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This week, our guest co-host Kevin Martlage, Senior Consultant at .orgSource, takes the reins as he interviews career and leadership consultant, author, and keynote speaker, Al Dea. Al is also the founder of Betterwork Labs and the host of the MBA Insider Podcast.  In this episode, Al talks to us about the new landscape of … Read More Read More

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Our guest for this week, Reggie Henry, Chief Information and Engagement Officer at ASAE, has been leading IT initiatives for 26 years in the association space! What a feat! In this episode, Reggie talks to us about the most significant changes in his approach to leading technology initiatives, his leadership style, and his challenges over … Read More Read More

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Today, our guest is Allison K. Summers, Executive Director and Chief Staff Executive of Zonta International. She is a global business leader, an author, and a sought-after speaker, and the former president of the American Marketing Association. In this episode, she shares with us some of the challenges and opportunities involved with leading an international organization … Read More Read More

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Our guest for this week, Kim Robinson, President of Frontline Co., talks to us about the type of associations that benefit most from support by a management company and the advantages of this approach. She also shares her insights on how association business models are changing and the most important technological development for associations.

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Our guest this week is Elizabeth Lepkowski, Chief Learning Officer at the American Academy of Clinical Endocrinology. She has also served as director of education at the American Society of Anesthesiologists and e-learning manager at the American College of Chest Physicians. Today, she shares her thoughts on education in the association industry and how programs … Continue reading Ep 50: Advancing Educational Programs to Increase Value for Members →

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In today’s business landscape, technology enables digital transformation at warp speed. A customer-centered approach is critical to combat challenges as members expect you to cater to their individual preferences. Our guest for this week, Patrick Dorsey, EVP Marketing at Impexium, shares with us the new face of membership management and how to deliver intuitive and … Continue reading Ep 49: A Customer-Centered Approach in a Crowded Market →

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Our guest for this week is Amanda Kaiser, a member engagement specialist and also an author and sought-after speaker who has presented in many prominent association venues. Recently, Amanda partnered with Matchbox Virtual Media to co-create the Virtual Networking Incubator and she shares what they discovered in that project. She also talks about the collaboration … Continue reading Ep 48: Crafting a Winning Member Engagement Strategy in the Digital Age →

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This week’s guest is the IrishmanSpeaks Conor Cunneen, a keynote speaker and a consultant whose mission is to improve people, performance, and productivity with a smile! Conor walks us through strategies to ensure a great customer experience and how leaders should think about employee engagement. His great sense of humor on addressing challenging topics such … Continue reading Ep 47: What Do I Want to be Famous For Within My Association? →

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Disruptions will happen throughout history. The big question is, are you and your organization ready?  Our guest for this week is Robin Champ, a Senior Trainer and Consultant at LBL Strategies, focusing on strategic foresight and strategy management. She’ll walk us through on how we can integrate foresight in our strategic planning, looking for signals … Continue reading Ep 46: Preparing for the Future with Strategic Foresight →

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How will you describe the culture in your workspace? Jamie Notter, Co-Founder and Culture Strategist at PROPEL and a 30-year veteran in the association space, talks to Sherry about how workplace culture is the biggest source to differentiate yourselves as an organization and as an employer.

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Having the right people is critical for any organization’s success. In today’s business landscape, the competition for recruiting and retaining talent has been extremely fierce. Bridget Walsh, Chief Operating Officer of the Emergency Nurses Association, shares the challenges and opportunities in attracting and retaining the right talent for her association – with flexibility and adaptability … Continue reading Ep 44: Focusing on Culture to Recruit and Retain the Right People for Your Association →

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Fear of the unknown is quite common, and doing things differently from how it used to be triggered a lot of hesitation in the association management industry. This week’s guest, Vivian Abalama, IOM, CAE, shares how her organization harnessed innovative solutions amid the pandemic as it shifted its focus to having more opportunities for mentoring, … Continue reading Ep 43: Creativity and Innovation Set the Stage in Turbulent Times →

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We invite you to join in on the conversation as Sharon Kneebone, FASAE, CAE, Executive Director of the National Society for Histotechnology, talks to us about navigating forward as a leader in the association industry during this age of transformation. From shedding “sacred programs and services” that are no longer serving their purpose to developing … Continue reading Ep 42: Transformational Leadership: Bridging the Gap Between Vision and Reality →

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This week’s guest, Alfred Spada, Executive Director of the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA), talks to us how his association, in the midst of the pandemic, dove head on to rolling out valuable content and starting new initiatives to meet the insatiable thirst of its members to learn. Join the conversation to learn … Continue reading Ep 41: Improving Organizational Agility in Today’s Changing Environment →

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In an industry that thrives on in-person meetings, find out how Stefanie Reeves, Executive Director of the Maryland Psychological Association (MPA), anchored her association and provided true value when help is most needed. In the midst of the pandemic, MPA established itself as the go to for information, and the transition to telehealth was among … Continue reading Ep 40: Providing True Value to Members and Beyond →

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Needing a place to sort our your goals, daily habits and rate your progress? Our guest for this week Tom Morrison, CEO of Metal Treating Institute Management, and Professional Speaker and Life Coach, talks about his personal development system – PersonalGDP.com – a 25-week challenge, which allows you to input your annual goals, note your … Continue reading Ep 39: Discovering the Quality of Life You Want →

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Today’s host, Sharon Rice, Managing Director of Business Strategy at .orgSource, talks to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Consultant Christine Saxman, CEO of Saxman Consulting, about the importance of DE&I in the workplace to advance as an organization and as a community. At one point or another, your organization might have asked – do we … Continue reading Ep 38: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – The Shift from Compliance to Systemic Change →

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Our guest for this week, Dan Stevens, CEO of WorkerBee TV, has been helping associations for more than 14 years modernize the way they inform, educate, and inspire their community. Today, he discusses what associations should be thinking about when it comes to their overall content strategy – driving content that improves retention, recruitment, and … Continue reading Ep 37: Leveraging the Power of Video and Multimedia →

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This week’s guest, Dr. Thomas Dammrich, is a seasoned association executive with 42 years of experience in working with members to build consensus around an action agenda to improve their industry. Currently a Business Strategist at the National Association of Healthcare Quality, Thom talks to us about his leadership style throughout the years being at … Continue reading Ep 36: Building Strategic Partnerships to Address Current and Emerging Needs →

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Open lines of communication go a long way in terms of building a great partnership. Our guests for this week, John Forbes, Executive Director of the American Venous Forum, and Sue O’Sullivan, President at Veritas Meeting Solutions, talk to us about how their organizations partnered to create a unique hybrid management model for associations, and … Continue reading Ep 35: Promoting Effective Partnering Through a Culture of Collaboration and Communication →

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The pandemic, albeit a difficult time, opened so many break throughs for innovation in the association space. This week’s guest Jacqualine Price Osafo, MBA, Executive Director at Society of American Archivists, talks to us about how the changes and opportunities in the midst of today’s business landscape opened more doors to shine light on diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.

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Join us this week as our guest, Dean West, President of Association Laboratory, talks to us about how the pandemic accelerated initiatives in the association industry—what could have taken five years is now only taking a couple of months to execute. With lots of pros and cons, Sherry and Dean discuss that while face to face meetings are still very much important, associations are currently still finding their feet in balancing and incorporating traditional and virtual strategies to extend substantial reach in audience. We know a lot of association executives have a lot to say about this topic so leave us a comment below!

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Change . . . love it or hate it — it’s here to stay.  This week’s guest, Teri Carden, President of the Review Society and Founder of 100Reviews, talks to us how the recent agents of change have been breaking barriers to improve how things are running in the association industry.

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How are you using your data? Are you using it correctly in your association to make a difference? This week, John Challice, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Hum, talks to us about the value of data and its strategic components. Join the conversation as Sherry and John discuss the reasons why first party data is the key to moving to the next level of member value and why associations should learn how to use it to their advantage.

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Breaking down silos to get the right people who can perform the job is not an easy task. Apart from having the right technology, Eric O’Connor, Chief Growth Officer of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, talks about why identifying people in your organization that have the innate need to grow and make a difference and giving them the right opportunities is an important starting point of digital transformation.

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Digital transformation in the hotel industry started way before the pandemic, but the crisis gave it the push it needs down the hill. This week’s guest, Bill Elliot, President & CEO of the Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association (WHLA), shares some insights on the things WHLA did to keep their heads above water, while taking a step back to look at internal systems that will help increase productivity and efficiency.

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Join us this week with our guest, Stephen Peeler, Executive Director at Infectious Diseases Society of America Foundation. Sherry and Stephen talk about how the IDSA Foundation saw the pandemic as an opportunity to not only change its business model but also the way it thinks about its staff. The organization concentrated on what it was going to stop doing to effectively ramp up its pandemic preparedness and response.