7 Practical Ways to Design a Better Association Strategy

There are many factors to consider when designing a calculated association strategy to guide your association in the short, medium and long term. Here are seven practical ways to design a better association strategy:

Base your plan on your association’s values: Align your strategy with your association’s core values and mission. Translate those values into SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely) and identify deliverables and objectives to measure success.

Incorporate multiple perspectives: Involve board members, staff, regular members, industry partners, and volunteers in shaping your strategy. The more voices included, the stronger the strategy will be over time.

Assess your operating environment: Conduct internal SWOT exercises and gather data through member surveys and industry research. Engage consultants or agencies if needed to evaluate your organizational landscape.

Set a timeline for planning and implementation: Determine the duration for establishing a strategy based on your goals, availability of staff and members, and budget. Create a high-level strategy that can withstand unexpected delays.

Communication is key. Share new strategies, goals, and expectations with internal and external stakeholders through kickoff meetings, clear steps, and published goals to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Use the right tech tools to ensure success: Consider the technology available to support your strategy and allocate a budget for new systems if necessary. Train staff and adapt processes to incorporate new technologies.

Regularly measure progress: Establish methods to measure the success of strategy implementation and course-correct if needed. Explore approaches like the Balanced Scorecard or Objectives and Key Results that suit your association’s capabilities.

By following these practical steps, associations can design dynamic and actionable strategies that reflect their values, incorporate diverse perspectives, adapt to the operating environment, and effectively measure progress toward their goals.