Welcome to the debut issue of Wake Up Wednesdays!
My 2017 prediction: By 2030, more than half of associations will be dead or dying.
I’ve been watching the perfect storm approaching for years and we are in the beginning of it.
Many associations are not taking the actions they need to take to survive the fallout that’s going to happen.
I run variables in my head all the time and like to at least triangulate outcomes when I’m looking at something which feels so dramatic.
The three variables I’ve focused on for this prediction are:
1. Technology
More than simply trends like the Uber-effect. It’s critical to spin out technical advancements for potential impact on members from a variety of really big fronts.
2. Demographics – specifically the aging and size of generations.
Yes, associations have been talking about how to get younger members involved since I started consulting more than 20 years ago. It hasn’t done a lot of good – and the result requires dramatic attention.
3. Reversal of power in associations
For decades, the national or headquarters office held the power. No more. We’ll delve into the power flip many associations are already starting to experience.
Over the next few issues of Wake Up Wednesdays, I’ll go deeper into my concerns with each of the big three mega-variables.
In addition to the mega-variables, there are additional challenges making this prediction more likely…
Things like:
- Vision impairment.
- Being stuck in time.
- Mindsets of volunteers.
- Beliefs of executives.
- Right strategy – wrong times.
- Ethics of action – or no action.
- Glassy eyes create mediocre strategy.
- Resistance is futile.
- There is power in the X.
- Timing is everything. It’s always Now.
And much more.
Together we’ll roll up our sleeves and explore what I’m seeing.
Disclosure: There is no one right answer to the issues I’ll be raising. No magic bullet to save the day – or your association.
There ARE conversations you can start having and inspired action to help you secure your future.
This is a group effort. Not a one-person solution.
Answers may be found beyond you. Your staff. Your board. Your members.
The good thing is, we are going to do this together.
Each week, we’ll take a look at another piece of the puzzle.
- You may want to have your staff and/or leaders sign up for Wake Up Wednesdays.
- I’ll bring the challenging concepts.
- You discuss together.
If you share these emails, give your people some shock and thinking time before trying to get them to talk about the issues.
Gut reactions are not enough. This is serious stuff that needs to be played with, manipulated – and applied to your association.
Many of your staff and leaders do not have a lot of experience in bending the future.
It’s an exciting time…When something with this big of potential can be identified it starts to open doors for big changes.
- The world is running on a variety of disruptive changes.
- Every association needs to join the party – and play too.
You need to balance these discussions with a lot of compassion.
- You will be asking people to use their brains in new ways.
- Getting comfortable working in the unknown.
- Trusting you to support their exploration.
Finally, also pay more attention to your own self-care as we delve into these issues.
- You may not have planned to deal with big changes at this point of your career.
- Maybe you don’t like a lot of change.
- Or don’t sleep well when you don’t have all the answers.
This balance is key for you, your staff and your leaders to be thinking their futuristic best!
- It’s key for me too.
- I’m performing improv in Michigan with my Modest Hawties troupe.
- And balancing my Future-Bending Adventures for associations with virtual classes on joy as the shortcut to success.
That’s it for this week’s Wake Up Wednesdays issue.
I hope you’re as excited as I am. We will be having some very interesting conversations as we move forward!
Yours in Finding the Future That Rocks!
– Cynthia
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Cynthia D’Amour