Seth Kahan Leads CEO Symposium: “Leadership During Economic Uncertainty”
Seth Kahan lead a symposium for fourteen executives from diverse associations, Wednesday, March 25, in Washington, DC, to discuss the economy and how best to respond as leaders.
Washington, DC, March 30, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Seth Kahan lead a symposium for fourteen executives from diverse associations, Wednesday, March 25, in Washington, DC, to discuss the economy and how best to respond as leaders.
Trends cited include:
* Meeting attendance & travel is constricted
* Membership dues are easy targets for quick cost savings
* Credit is frozen or sluggish
* Portfolios shrunken, liquidity difficult, spending onerous
* Alternative revenues down
Kahan notes, “This is when CEOs earn their salaries. Their job is to take their organizations through difficult times and come out ahead. We are experiencing a real crossroads when new organizational models emerge. Our conversation covered issues of critical importance, bringing together some of the best minds in Washington’s association industry.”
Executives in attendance included:
* Henry Chamberlain, President and COO, BOMA International
* Matthew R. D'Uva, President, SOCAP International
* Pat Jones, Executive Director & CEO, International Bridge Tunnel and Turnpike Association
* Jack Lewin, CEO, American College of Cardiology
* Chris McEntee, Executive VP and CEO, American Institute of Architects
* Mike McMahon, President, National Association of Pastoral Musicians
* Petra Mollet, Vice-President, Strategy, American Public Transportation Association
* Peter Moran, Executive Vice President & CEO, Society of American Florists
* Susan Newman, Secretary General, International Real Estate Federation
* Arlene A. Pietranton, Executive Director, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
* Penny Pompei, former President/CEO, Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce
* Susan Sarfati, former CEO, Center for Association Leadership, former EVP, ASAE
Kahan says, “Our discussion resulted in the realization that the association industry is at a true crossroads. Now is the time for new business models. The crisis in the economy is forcing the issue. Social media is a key player while the value of face-to-face interaction is increasing. Several present noted new paradigms are emerging in which members self-organize and add value. Cutting edge associations are adapting and mastering these new processes. Solutions are beginning to become visible.”
Pat Jones, IBTTA, said, “The trends and challenges Seth talked about are right on target. Along with those challenges, we must realize that marketing is more important to the success of associations today than ever before. By marketing, I don’t mean creating brochures and pushing information out to your members. Marketing is the wide range of activities involved in making sure that you're continuing to meet the needs of your customers and are getting value in return. If you don’t understand your customers and their needs, then you’re missing the whole point of marketing. Every person in our organization is a marketer. It is not a job only for a few; it is discipline and a way of thinking and behaving for everyone in our organization.”
Petra Mollet, APTA, remarked, “What is interesting to note is that even during the toughest economic times there is always some magic that an association can perform for its members. In fact, this is the moment for an association to really shine or become irrelevant. By keeping an eye on the future of the industry or interest an association is representing and at the same time meeting the members where they are at now, one can transcend the tendency at this time to become defensive and inward-looking and truly take the opportunity to create new structures, services and relationships.”
Matthew D’Uva, SOCAP International, commented “The economic downturn shines a brighter light on the unique value proposition of associations. For decades, the association community has provided unique opportunities for leaders in industry, business and education to come together and discuss the important issues of the day. Today, Associations must look at innovative ways to continue these conversations amidst limited resources by utilizing technology, social networking tools and adding increased value to their face-to-face meetings. These challenging times provide an opportunity for associations to demonstrate their unique value proposition to members.”
Seth Kahan, organizational development and leadership consultant, led the symposium. Kahan has worked with the President of the World Bank, Director of the Peace Corps, senior managers at Shell in New Orleans and Rijswijk, NASA, US Geological Survey, Prudential Retirement Savings, and over 20 associations. He has Board Approval in Change Leadership by the Society for Advancement of Consulting, and pens the popular Fast Company expert blog, Leading Change (http://tiny.cc/sethfast).
Further info and/or photos:
Seth Kahan, Principal
Performance Development Group
301/229-2221
seth@visionaryleadership.com
VisionaryLeadership.com
###
Trends cited include:
* Meeting attendance & travel is constricted
* Membership dues are easy targets for quick cost savings
* Credit is frozen or sluggish
* Portfolios shrunken, liquidity difficult, spending onerous
* Alternative revenues down
Kahan notes, “This is when CEOs earn their salaries. Their job is to take their organizations through difficult times and come out ahead. We are experiencing a real crossroads when new organizational models emerge. Our conversation covered issues of critical importance, bringing together some of the best minds in Washington’s association industry.”
Executives in attendance included:
* Henry Chamberlain, President and COO, BOMA International
* Matthew R. D'Uva, President, SOCAP International
* Pat Jones, Executive Director & CEO, International Bridge Tunnel and Turnpike Association
* Jack Lewin, CEO, American College of Cardiology
* Chris McEntee, Executive VP and CEO, American Institute of Architects
* Mike McMahon, President, National Association of Pastoral Musicians
* Petra Mollet, Vice-President, Strategy, American Public Transportation Association
* Peter Moran, Executive Vice President & CEO, Society of American Florists
* Susan Newman, Secretary General, International Real Estate Federation
* Arlene A. Pietranton, Executive Director, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
* Penny Pompei, former President/CEO, Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce
* Susan Sarfati, former CEO, Center for Association Leadership, former EVP, ASAE
Kahan says, “Our discussion resulted in the realization that the association industry is at a true crossroads. Now is the time for new business models. The crisis in the economy is forcing the issue. Social media is a key player while the value of face-to-face interaction is increasing. Several present noted new paradigms are emerging in which members self-organize and add value. Cutting edge associations are adapting and mastering these new processes. Solutions are beginning to become visible.”
Pat Jones, IBTTA, said, “The trends and challenges Seth talked about are right on target. Along with those challenges, we must realize that marketing is more important to the success of associations today than ever before. By marketing, I don’t mean creating brochures and pushing information out to your members. Marketing is the wide range of activities involved in making sure that you're continuing to meet the needs of your customers and are getting value in return. If you don’t understand your customers and their needs, then you’re missing the whole point of marketing. Every person in our organization is a marketer. It is not a job only for a few; it is discipline and a way of thinking and behaving for everyone in our organization.”
Petra Mollet, APTA, remarked, “What is interesting to note is that even during the toughest economic times there is always some magic that an association can perform for its members. In fact, this is the moment for an association to really shine or become irrelevant. By keeping an eye on the future of the industry or interest an association is representing and at the same time meeting the members where they are at now, one can transcend the tendency at this time to become defensive and inward-looking and truly take the opportunity to create new structures, services and relationships.”
Matthew D’Uva, SOCAP International, commented “The economic downturn shines a brighter light on the unique value proposition of associations. For decades, the association community has provided unique opportunities for leaders in industry, business and education to come together and discuss the important issues of the day. Today, Associations must look at innovative ways to continue these conversations amidst limited resources by utilizing technology, social networking tools and adding increased value to their face-to-face meetings. These challenging times provide an opportunity for associations to demonstrate their unique value proposition to members.”
Seth Kahan, organizational development and leadership consultant, led the symposium. Kahan has worked with the President of the World Bank, Director of the Peace Corps, senior managers at Shell in New Orleans and Rijswijk, NASA, US Geological Survey, Prudential Retirement Savings, and over 20 associations. He has Board Approval in Change Leadership by the Society for Advancement of Consulting, and pens the popular Fast Company expert blog, Leading Change (http://tiny.cc/sethfast).
Further info and/or photos:
Seth Kahan, Principal
Performance Development Group
301/229-2221
seth@visionaryleadership.com
VisionaryLeadership.com
###
Contact
Performance Development Group
Seth Kahan
301 229-2221
http:/www.visionaryleadership.com
Seth Kahan
301 229-2221
http:/www.visionaryleadership.com
Contact
Categories