Few organizations are as political as associations. In such an atmosphere, little progress is possible without the engineering of consent among the association's different interest groups. Trap Most staff execs throw up their hands when asked how they will translate the aspirations of their boards into member services. This leads to member cynicism and board dissatisfaction with staff performance. Here are the six steps of the strategic management process for associations.
Many executives lament that their associations are reactive and short-term focused.
Strategic management will help you make your association as forward-looking and as focused as it ought to be. Whereas old-fashioned strategic planning focuses on internal issues and incremental change within the known and comfortable world of the present, strategic thinking looks for ways to transform your association so it can change the world to its own advantage. The world of association management will change dramatically in the 21st century, and associations must prepare now to address it. Members will demand more service but be reluctant to pay more dues or to volunteer. They will expect to be heard and treated like customers.