Blog Articles

In the rapidly evolving landscape of today's business world, effective leadership has become more critical than ever. Leaders are no longer just figureheads; they are the driving force that propels organizations toward success amidst constant change and uncertainty. The challenges of globalization, technological advancements, and shifting workforce dynamics demand leaders who are not only strategic thinkers but also empathetic communicators. To navigate these complexities, today's leaders must focus on building strong relationships with their teams, fostering adaptability and agility, promoting innovation and creativity, and prioritizing employee well-being and motivation. These key attributes are essential for any leader aiming to drive their organization to new heights in this competitive era.

As we navigate through 2024 and into 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) continues to be a transformative force in the business world. Building upon rapid advancements from previous years, organizations are increasingly leveraging AI to enhance operations, drive innovation, and gain a competitive edge. However, this surge in AI adoption brings both opportunities and challenges. This article delves into what has come of the AI movement in business, explores its future trajectory, examines how it aids and impedes organizations, assesses the benefits and risks, and evaluates whether businesses are truly capitalizing on this technological revolution.

Influence is at the heart of effective leadership. Beyond simply directing tasks or overseeing projects, truly successful leaders inspire growth, shape attitudes, and create pathways for development within their teams—and often beyond. This influence extends to multiple levels within an organization, impacting not only immediate team members but also other departments, leaders, and the organization's overall culture. By nurturing an environment of support, collaboration, and strategic vision, leaders enable both personal and professional growth, fostering an interconnected, adaptable workplace that thrives on change rather than resisting it. In this article, we’ll explore key approaches successful leaders use to influence team growth and organizational change and examine how these practices impact the broader organization.

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, organizations are continually seeking new software solutions to enhance efficiency, competitiveness, and customer satisfaction. However, the mere adoption of new technology does not guarantee success. A critical factor that often determines the outcome of such initiatives is change management. When organizations fail to embrace change, they risk undermining the potential benefits of the new software, leading to inefficiencies and even project failure. This article explores the importance of change management, the risks associated with neglecting it, the value it brings when properly embraced, and the pivotal role of leadership in fostering acceptance throughout the organization.

For decades, associations and professional societies have leaned heavily on Association Management Systems (AMS) to manage their core functions—membership tracking, event coordination, and educational programming through live events. These systems have been the backbone of organizational operations, ensuring that day-to-day activities run smoothly. However, as the landscape of these organizations has significantly transformed over time, traditional AMS solutions have struggled to keep pace with the evolving needs. In response, a new wave of AMS providers is pivoting towards more flexible, platform-based solutions like Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, and Oracle's NetSuite. This shift not only offers enhanced capabilities and configuration but also presents a more affordable and integrative approach for organizations. Additionally, the engagement of third-party consulting firms has emerged as a strategic move to streamline the selection and implementation of these advanced systems.

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, technology has transcended its traditional support role to become a central driver of business strategy and innovation. The Chief Information Officer (CIO), once relegated to managing IT infrastructure, now stands at the forefront of organizational transformation. As businesses grapple with the complexities of digital disruption, the inclusion of the CIO at the executive table has become imperative. This shift ensures that technology is not an afterthought but a core component of the organization's roadmap to success.

In the fast-paced world of business, the success of any project hinges not just on the brilliance of an idea but significantly on how well it is managed from inception to completion. Recently, while collaborating with a new client, I witnessed firsthand how inadequate project management can derail even the most promising initiatives. This experience underscored the critical importance of employing robust project management practices right from the start, regardless of a project's size or scope. In this article, we will explore key elements of effective project management that are essential for steering projects toward success.

The membership association industry has long been a bastion of tradition, relying on established methods for member engagement, outreach, and organizational growth. Historically slow to adopt new technologies, these associations often depended on manual processes and intuition-based strategies. However, a paradigm shift is underway. Associations are increasingly embracing data aggregation solutions that not only consolidate their data but also present it in ways that facilitate data-driven decision making. This transformation is not just enhancing operational efficiency but is also unlocking new avenues for member outreach, engagement, and value creation. This article delves into how this technological adoption is revolutionizing membership associations and propelling them toward a more prosperous future.

In today’s data-driven business environment, the ability to make informed decisions is paramount to the success and sustainability of any organization. One of the most important components of any business system is the data it generates, collects, and manages. Data, in its raw form, is a powerful resource, but its true value is only realized when it is accurate, consistent, and reliable. High-quality data serves as the foundation for effective data-driven decision-making. However, achieving and maintaining this level of data quality does not happen by chance; it requires a proactive approach and a well-structured governance framework. In this article, we will explore the key components to improving the quality of data in organizational systems and delve into the development and implementation of a robust data governance structure that ensures the integrity, security, and utility of data throughout its lifecycle.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now a cornerstone of technological advancement, deeply woven into the fabric of our daily lives. From personalized recommendations on streaming platforms to automated customer service solutions, AI’s influence is vast and far-reaching. However, AI was not always the tech-world sensation it is today. Before AI became the buzzword it is, its foundational concepts and applications were already at play, quietly transforming industries and setting the stage for the AI revolution we are witnessing now. This article revisits the pioneering AI technologies and innovations—such as chatbots, predictive analytics, and others—that paved the way for modern AI advancements.

As a small business consulting firm focused on providing services to membership associations and professional societies, attending the ASAE Annual Conference in Cleveland this weekend represents a tremendous opportunity. This event is not only a platform to showcase my offerings but also a crucial chance to connect with various individuals and organizations seeking support. Networking opportunities abound at such events, enabling participants to strengthen existing relationships and forge new connections. Additionally, the conference offers a unique chance to engage with other consulting organizations that, despite being competitors, can become valuable partners in scenarios where collaboration benefits clients. This article explores the value of attending industry events like the ASAE Annual Conference, outlines essential preparations, and discusses effective follow-up strategies to ensure a fruitful experience.

In an earlier article, I focused on "Trust but Verify" as an approach to information technology. However, this concept of trust but verify goes beyond the realm of technology and holds significant relevance in the broader context of leadership. In today's fast-paced business environment, trust is a cornerstone of effective leadership. Yet, an essential complement to trust is verification. The "trust but verify" principle balances the need to foster a trusting organizational culture while ensuring accountability and transparency. By delving into the necessity, application, benefits, and consequences of the "trust but verify" principle from a leadership perspective, we can appreciate its profound impact on business success.

In the era of big data, organizations are constantly seeking efficient and effective ways to store, manage, and analyze their data. The proliferation of data sources and the increasing volume of data have led to the development of various data management solutions, each with its unique characteristics, advantages, and risks. Among these, Data Warehouse, Data Lake, and Data as a Service (DaaS) are prominent options. Understanding the differences between these solutions, their respective benefits and risks, and the factors to consider when choosing the best one for your organization is crucial for maximizing data utility and ensuring informed decision-making.

The landscape of technology leadership has undergone significant transformation in the past few decades. One of the most innovative approaches to emerge from this evolution is the concept of the "fractional CIO." This role has garnered attention in both the corporate and IT worlds for its flexible and adaptive nature. But what exactly is a fractional CIO? And when does it make sense for a company to consider such a position over a full-time CIO? In this article, we'll explore these questions and delve into the benefits and risks associated with this intriguing role.

In the realm of associations and professional society organizations, effective communication with members is not just a routine administrative task, it is a critical strategic asset. These organizations thrive on a vibrant exchange of ideas, opportunities, and feedback between the governing bodies and their members. The ability to communicate effectively can significantly influence member engagement, satisfaction, and retention. This article delves into the essentials of optimizing communication within associations by addressing the importance of meaningful interactions, establishing the right communication frequency, utilizing the appropriate tools, and safeguarding member information.

Attending networking events and conferences is a crucial aspect of professional life, offering opportunities to connect with industry peers, learn about the latest trends, and promote one's business. However, one often overlooked but essential element of maximizing these opportunities is dressing for success. The way we present ourselves can significantly influence how we are perceived and can either open doors or create barriers in professional settings. This article delves into the importance of dressing for success, the reasons behind it, and the potential impact of not doing so.

In the digital age, the success of an organization is intricately tied to its IT strategies. From budget allocations to technology solutions, the way an organization manages its IT resources can significantly impact its overall performance. However, aligning IT strategies with organizational goals is not a task that should be left solely to the IT department. Executive leadership must play a pivotal role in IT governance to ensure that all aspects of IT—budget, personnel, technology solutions, and compliance—are in harmony with the organization's strategic objectives. This article explores the critical importance of executive leadership in IT governance, highlighting the value they bring and the risks associated with their lack of involvement.

In today's fast-paced business environment, making well-informed decisions is critical for maintaining a competitive edge. Business Intelligence (BI) has emerged as a vital tool for organizations seeking to harness the power of their data to drive strategic initiatives. However, the effectiveness of BI hinges not only on having sophisticated tools but also on the quality of the data being analyzed. Good data is the cornerstone of reliable BI reporting, while bad data can lead to detrimental outcomes, including misguided decisions and wasted resources. This article explores the importance of good data, its value in effective BI reporting, and the risks associated with bad data.