The Blogoclump

Read & discuss at Matt Baehr's blog.

Read & discuss at Hilary's blog.

One of the best byproducts of blogging is that it allows me to look back over periods of time and see what I’ve been learning and thinking about. If I could blog as often as I’d like to, I think I’d internalize and put into practice more of what I learn. Here are the top things I’ve learned this year, most of which I’ve blogged about, some of which I haven’t — yet.

• When something doesn’t go the way I expect it to, the most effective way to ensure that it doesn’t happen again is to identify and correct what I did to contribute to missing the mark.
• Trying new things (like learning how to use a Mac after a dozen years of using a PC, or switching to a Motorola Q after three years of using a BlackBerry) is both a source of stress and expansion your brain. The stress is unwelcome, but the brain expansion — while painful — is a source of growth.
• The power of positive thinking is very powerful, indeed. We create far more of the reality we experience than we realize.
• Social networking sites are virtual gathering places.
• Social networking sites are far better for building and maintaining relationships one person at a time than having group conversations with many participants.
• The definition of spam is changing, but the non-illegal version still works wonders for 95% of the population.
• Association executives are far too motivated by fear.
• Persistence pays.
• Criticism is free consulting.
• Generational differences are over-hyped. Life-stage is more important.
• One simple Google Alert isn’t enough.
• Zoho is now where Google wants to be in three years.
• To become a leader, start by just being yourself.
• There are more liabilities than advantages to be gained by creating a Wikipedia entry for your association. (And I’ve actually changed my mind about this recently; creating your association’s Wikipedia entry is just a liability — stay tuned for details)
• Two monitors are better than one. And three monitors are better than two.
• We are all Hokies.
• Association executives don’t read blogs. Whose fault is that? Ours.
• Associations need ways to communicate with attendees in the event of emergencies at meetings. Twitter is a good and cheap place to start.
• Move fast or get passed.

What are your best learnings of 2007?

Tagged: Association Management; Associations; CAE; Certified Association Executive

Read & discuss at bkmcae@gmail.com (Ben Martin)'s blog.

My 9-year old nephew has several hundred songs on his iPod (Jimmy Buffett, Univ of Alabama fight song, etc.) that he hooks up to his new iDog (pic) … a robotic dog that lights up, wags tail and ears with music. Nephew also insisted I watch a YouTube video called “Charlie Candy Mountain”. Asked him how learned about it - from other kids in 4th grade class.

“Charlie Candy Mountain” is worth the 3:44 of time it takes to watch. Though you may be tempted to quit the first 10 seconds, as I was. Some classic lines, including “shun the non-believer”. Definitely thought-provoking.

Think members can’t embrace podcasts, social media and YouTube? Shun the non-believers!

Read & discuss at CindyAE's blog.

Every year, Lake Superior State University in Michigan publishes its list of banished words. Its 2008 list should be released shortly. In a similar vein, I’d like to create a list of new association words introduced during the previous year. Unfortunately, I’m not privy to all the new words entering the not-for-profit lexicon, so I need your assistance. I’ll get the ball rolling with a few new words I’ve heard this year, and I hope you’ll add your own in the comments.

1. Adhocracy (n.): A organizational structure that emphasizes short-term assignments rather than standing committees.
2. Ungovernance (n.): An association governance model grounded in three simple beliefs:

• Associations exist to create value for a set or sets of stakeholders. Associations do not exist to be governed, but do require appropriate stewardship to ensure their value-creation efforts will thrive.
• Innovation is about creating new value. Despite its difficulties, innovation is a remarkably effective way to deliver the value members, customers, and stakeholders need and to build a strong, enduring organization.
• The focus of association stewardship must be the business model. Every other responsibility of governing the association must connect back to ensuring its sustainability for the long term.

I know there are others, and I have at least one more buried in the nether reaches of my brain. Please add your own new terms to the comments and I’ll publish a full list in a few days.

Tagged: Association Management; Associations; CAE; Certified Association Executive

Read & discuss at bkmcae@gmail.com (Ben Martin)'s blog.

Here’s a guideline to tipping in foreign countries from FlyerTalk that could come in handy. Just keep in mind that it is list of guidelines, not hard-and-fast rules (read the comments for objections). Still, I think it’s well worth checking out.
Thanks to Jim Lewis of the wondrous MeCo listserv for the pointer!

Read & discuss at Sue Pelletier's blog.

Read & discuss at Hilary's blog.

  Higher prices are coming our way!
I’m doing my annual review of what’s working and what’s not - including my membership in various associations and chapters.
With so much life to live, I want to make sure I’m putting my time where I get the biggest return.
One of the groups I belong too seems like a […]

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

Tom Gorski just commented on a recent post, causing me to reread the strange collection of topics I have covered here this last month. If there was any doubt about my self-diagnosis of ADD, I believe that the last dozen…

Read & discuss at Ann's blog.

I started using Twitter on a whim. (I actually created an MHA Twitter account long before I created a personal one - I just never posted anything to it.) It seems I do better using new technology personally first. Then…

Read & discuss at Shawn Lea's blog.