7 Measures of Success: What Remarkable Associations Do That Others Don't

by Center for Association Leadership, American Society of Association Executives Staf, American Society of Association Executives

Book Overview

ASAE's signature guide for successful associations, revised and updated This update of ASAE's all-time bestseller retains the original book's focus on the disciplines that define remarkable... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0880342722
• ISBN13: 9780880342728
• Release Date: August 2006
• Publisher: American Society of Association Executives
• Length: 138 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.

Customer Reviews

From a Association Staff Perspective

Great book. I do strategic planning for associations, in addition to being an Executive Director for 2 large groups. We send copies to all our new Board members. While I don't think it is a day-to-day guide for operational management, it does provide insightful, evidence-based differences between good and great organizations. The key is to use this as a tool to drive your Boards and staff to think strategically, to work together, and to gather/analyze/use data.

Very insightful!

This book gives great insight into what makes a great association remarkable and gives comparisons for those that are good, but not remarkable. If associations use this information correctly, they should be able to make drastic improvements in their processes. This book is an easy read and has invaluable information.

Business Analysis to your Nonprofit

Let's start with answering the first question that you have when you look at the title. The 7 Measures of Success are: Category 1 - Commitment to Purpose 1. A Customer Service Culture 2. Alignment of Products and Services with Mission Category 2 - Commitment to Analysis and Feedback 3. Data-Driven Strategies 4. Dialogue and Engagement 5. CEO as a Broker of Ideas Category 3 - Commitment to Action 6. Organizational Adaptability 7. Alliance Building The second question is "Why do the organizations profiled here matter or relate to my organization?" To be eligible for the study, the association needed to have: 1. Been in operation for at least 20 years 2. Finished more years in the black than in the red 3. Exhibited the ability to retain members, donors, or market share during the study period 4. Had more than one CEO during the study period. The final study group consisted of: AARP, American College of Cardiology, American Dental Association, Associated General Contractors of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, National Association of Counties, Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants, Radiology Society of North America, and Society for Human Resource Management. Further, nine strong organizations were chosen to match the above listed nine for the analysis. These 18 pairs used the following 11 variables to identify differences: 1. Vision (core values, mission, purpose, goals) 2. Markets, Competitors, and the Environment 3. Organizational Arrangements (structures, policies, systems) 4. Use of Technology 5. Business Strategy 6. Products and Services 7. Leadership (staff, elected) 8. Community and Culture 9. Financial Health 10. Physical Setting and Location 11. Public Policy After the analysis was completed, the "remarkable" associations excelled in the previously listed 7 measures. To further discuss those 7: 1. A Customer Service Culture - "we're here to serve you" approach 2. Alignment of Products and Services with Mission - mission is central and the products align 3. Data-Driven Strategies - gather, analyze and use data to drive change 4. Dialogue and Engagement - staff and volunteers engage on association's direction and priorities 5. CEO as a Broker of Ideas - facilitates visionary thinking throughout the association 6. Organizational Adaptability - be willing to change and NOT to change 7. Alliance Building - seek complimentary partners and projects Next the three categories each have a chapters devoted to fleshing out their concepts: Category 1 - Commitment to Purpose 1. A Customer Service Culture - Remarkable associations build their structures, processes, and interactions - their entire culture - around assessing and fulfilling members' needs and expectations. 2. Alignment of Products and Services with Mission - To find the right mix of products and services that align with their missions, remarkable associations willingly engage in experimentation. They doggedly protect their core purpose and related activities while inves

A Must Read for Association Professionals

7 Measures of Success: What Remarkable Associations Do That Others Don't follows the matched-pair research techniques used in the Jim Collin's book Good to Great and applies this methodology to associations. Over several years, a team of association professionals undertook extensive research and on site visits examining the differences between the study group and comparison associations. With Jim Collin's mentorship, they defined seven key elements that characterize the most successful associations. These measures are: a customer service culture, alignment of products and services with mission, data-driven strategies, dialogue and engagement, CEO as a broker of ideas, organizational adaptability, and alliance building. The book is a quick read, but should be foundational for all interested in association management.