Strategic Planning

From Fixed Plans to Adaptive Strategy

By Molly Marsh / July 22, 2026

What if your strategy isn’t to hit certain future targets no matter the circumstances, but to change and evolve along with the environment you’re in? Welcome to the concept of adaptive strategy!  If you’ve spent years developing a traditional five-year plan, this might sound unsettling. But here’s the truth: when the world changes (and it will), a…

VUCA Strategy: The Antidote to Volatility and Uncertainty

By Molly Marsh / June 22, 2026

Wait, so how do we look at and think about strategic planning differently in a world that is in constant motion?   The VUCA framework is a great place to start! VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) is a structure meant to capture an environment where nothing is predictable and things can change from day to day – sound familiar? While each of the VUCA letters represents part of this complex environment, there’s…

Why Traditional Strategic Planning Fails in Uncertain Times

By Molly Marsh / June 8, 2026

Your association spent months crafting a five-year strategic plan. Then the world changed overnight. Sound familiar?  Traditional strategic planning is great in a world where you can reasonably predict what will be happening in your industry in 5-10 years and where members are looking for reliable, consistent experiences from year to year – basically a world that no longer exists. Models that ask association…

Prioritization Strategies for Association Professionals

By Rhonda Clark / December 13, 2023

In the bustling world of association management, professionals face a unique set of challenges. Balancing a demanding career with personal life, staying abreast of industry trends, and ensuring member satisfaction are just a few of the balls we juggle daily. This blog post is dedicated to helping association professionals streamline your workload and enhance your…

The Association Strategic Plan: What’s the Point?

By DeLaine Bender CAE / September 13, 2023

For many association leaders, a strategic plan is a must, while others are not so enthused. Perhaps they have had a past strategic planning experience that didn’t pan out well—or perhaps they don’t understand the potential positive effects of a well-developed strategic plan. What’s the Purpose? The purpose of a strategic plan is to provide…