The Blogoclump

Storytelling continues to evolve as important aspect in communications - not just presentations, but even leadership development, blogs, and gaming.

A challenge is ensuring the story connects with the audience. At Villanova University, student guide shows campus location where lore says Jim Croce inspired lyrics for song “Time in a Bottle”. Boomer parents all know Jim Croce (pic); Gen-Y potential students don’t. The location of national association headquarters in Chicago is office building in opening to first “Bob Newhart Show“. I’d show building picture to new members (my age or older) in orientation class and it’s interesting — not at all notable when class not old enough to know the show. Both stories can be retold in ways that capture interest and imagination of those hearing them. For example, part of lyrics to “Time in a Bottle” could be read at location, and explain former student became famous, then died before song #1. Location of association headquarters building across street from Chicago Tribune, next door to Wrigley Building and near famous shopping - so “location, location, location” is better story — or show YouTube clip of TV show’s opening (since has catchy music) and noting HQ building.

As we lead, inspire, teach, guide those who listen to or read our stories, ensure material has elements with universal appeal — its level, drama, context.

Read & discuss at CindyAE's blog.

I’ve been dark here for a little while, but still busy, busy!
Lots of travel (work-related). Plus, a real vacation! I also started the graduate certificate in leadership coaching at The George Washington University. Had my first class and it was great fun. Also, I had a telephone interview with one of those SF-based community-building places. It seemed pretty interesting, but not a fit for my life right now, so I’m going to keep on keepin’ on.

Meanwhile, I wanted to cross-reference my newest feature in eHub on Healthcare 2.0. One of the things I tried to do in the feature is point out where professional organizations are falling down on the job OSLT.

Read & discuss at Nick's blog.

Visiting universities along East Coast … During campus tours there’s note something is “free” … such as, freshman get free laptop, or sodas free 24/7 in student lounge, or printouts from library printers are free. Typically if I look over at other parents they’re smirking too. Each college is minimum $34,000/year tuition (plus room/board/fees) – so after that, then free laptop, soda or printouts. Not exactly free - Someone pays.

Associations sometime offer free courses or other programs. I wonder if members smirk because they know they may have already paid for free program through dues. Maybe free, discounted or subsidized programs should be clear about where funding came from when promoted – offered as part of dues, or completely sponsored by generosity of sponsors, or offered at no cost due to excess income from non-dues revenue. There is no free.

Read & discuss at CindyAE's blog.

A few association-related blogs recently have been discussing whether membership retention is the best measure of progress and success, and I’ll leave that to the membership experts to wrangle over.  But measurement for success in the corporate world has been around for a long, long time, and will eventually arrive on our doorsteps because where the corporate […]

Read & discuss at Ellen's blog.

On a day too rainy to hike some of Acadia National Park’s mountains, I spent some time instead following an interesting blog thread on association growth strategies that even led me to some blogs I didn’t know about (interestingly, only one I found had to do with online learning in associations specifically, but the latest […]

Read & discuss at Ellen's blog.

While driving many hours in thunderstorms last night, wishing I could use cruise control - but learned that lesson. Several years ago my car hydroplaned on very icy road (Turnpike), spun around several times, and landed in snow bank. No damage to me, lots to car. After relaying I was driving 25 mph, with cruise control, police officer said “don’t you know to never drive on icy or wet roads with cruise control on - can cause rapid acceleration and hydroplaning“. No, I didn’t know. Where would I have learned that? See these tips for driving in the rain.

Was so frightened by experience, and so surprised okay, that phoned people from snow bank to say grateful to have them in my life. Very glad I did. Why don’t we make those calls when it’s not resulting from a huge scare?

Lessons learned:
1. Never use cruise control when driving on icy or wet roads;
2. If you’re grateful to have certain people in your life - tell them now. Don’t wait.

Read & discuss at CindyAE's blog.

Between you and me, I wasn’t always 100% sure I wanted to attend the awards program last night.
Sure, my friend Jody invited me…

She lives in California and was in Metro Detroit.
She’s the national president of the group.
It was a big night for Jody to share with me.

And yet…

I wouldn’t know anyone there besides Jody.
I was tired from […]

Read & discuss at Cynthia D'Amour's blog.

Want to be sure you’re aware of it.

Read & discuss at jeffpi1@gmail.com (Jeff De Cagna of Principled Innovation LLC, the association community's leading voice for innovation!)'s blog.

Just thought I’d give a little plug to Elizabeth Weaver Engel, who I met last night at the ASAE Welcome Back Reception. She’s on the Membership Section Council of the ASAE and is looking for topic ideas for the membership section of the Associapedia. She can be reached at elizabeth.engel @ rsmi.com. Let her know if there’s any membership-related topics you often have questions about, or would like to see defined in the wiki. Mention me and you’ll get a lollipop…. or not.

Read & discuss at Maddie Grant's blog.

Would you bet your paycheck on the popularity of your latest new product or service?
Maybe if you knew the odds would be in your favor. How would you do it?
One way might be through crowdfunding - where you let your customers participate in choosing not just the idea or the initial design for […]

Read & discuss at Peter Turner's blog.