In this episode, Mike Bills, Owner and CEO of MB Strategies, and PureReinvention Founding Member, Misty Elliott interview Josh Lord, MBA, of Josh, Inc. and Director of Membership and Strategic Initiatives, Michigan Dental Association about disruption and the need for modern associations to respond to market demands.

 

 

DIG IN

“I think we really need to look at ourselves as a staff and as an organization and realize that we are likely too close to our own business to be able to solve this on our own and what we really need is a reinvention strategist.” (7:24)

QUOTE IT

“The bottom line is the great recession and the technological innovations of the early 2000’s have dramatically re-landscaped the environment that we’re in, and yet the ones that are leading our businesses right now, are adhering to paradigms that frankly no longer exist.” (5 :35)

“I think typically when we talk reinvention, road blocks get put up because we think cost, expense, disruption, change – it’s all negative.  What we fail to recognize is opportunity, collaboration, mutual benefit, and relationship development.  There’s a lot to be said for collaborating not only with a consultant or and external resource, but with your competitors.” (17:34 )

Main Take-Aways:

1 – Big brands are defining the purchasing experience – And expectations of your target audiences.  Improved customer service and access 24-7 is expected.

2 – Current association culture is not lining up with this experience and is in danger of being replaced by organizations that will meet these expectations.

3- Associations need to focus on the next 3-5 years.  They need to align with new customer expectations quickly if they are to stay relevant.

4- Associations need to value and listen to the disrupters in their ranks so that they can make the necessary changes to meet these expectations.

5 – An external outside resource may be necessary to help the reinvention process along as staff and leadership can be too close to the issue.

Next episode:  February 9, 2015, Mike Bills and Misty Elliott will discuss the Second Foundation of PureReinvention – Ownership

Produced by:  Will Carlson, WillPower Consulting (www.williamrcarlson.com)