A rather long audio post (sorry text lovers!) about the merger between ASAE and The Center, as requested by Ben Martin, CAE of VSCPA. Also, a brief mention of HBR's list of 20 breakthrough ideas for 2005, and the essay of Dean Roger Martin of the University of Toronto's business school. Very good stuff!
BIG NEWS: As of right now (10:55 pm on 2/2/04) you can download a FREE COPY of the HBR 20 Breakthrough Ideas from the website I listed above. Just look for the link in the frame marked "Harvard Business Review." I don't have any idea how long the offer will last...
Here is a great quotation from Dean Roger Martin in his HBR essay, "Seek Validity, Not Reliability":
"Boards must get used to approving plans based on the logic of what might be rather than on regressions of what has always been. They need to understand that variability in outcomes is as likely to be a sign of creativity as a sign of bad management, and that the more they drive our variability, the more they ensconce mediocrity."
Great quote and powerful insight. Let's talk about it tomorrow!
Jeff, thanks for the audio post on the Center/ASAE merger. Like you, I am inclined to reserve judgment on the merger for a while. I figure they need at least another 6-12 months to really figure things out. I received a lengthy "state of the assn" communication from ASAE recently; the subject line was 2005 Forecast. This was a welcome addition to my email inbox, albeit decidedly one-directional. I was particularly encouraged by news of the Measures of Success project, an adaptation for associations of Jim Collins' Good-to-Great, which is to be released shortly -- maybe even this year. I believe this is the next big thing for the association community, and probably the most important initiative for the Center. I also agree that ASAE could enhance communication with its members. I could write a lot more, but maybe later...
Posted by: Ben | February 03, 2005 at 11:42 AM