STRATEGIC PLANNING IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BUT INTIMIDATING PARTS OF ASSOCIATION WORK. THE EXTENT TO WHICH YOUR ASSOCIATION ACHIEVES YOUR GOALS, AND HOW QUICKLY, DEPENDS IN LARGE PART UPON THE THOROUGHNESS OF YOUR STRATEGIC PLAN. THERE ARE MANY FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN DESIGNING A CALCULATED ASSOCIATION STRATEGY THAT CAN GUIDE YOUR ASSOCIATION IN THE SHORT, MEDIUM AND LONG TERM. HERE’S OUR BEST ADVICE FOR THOUGHTFULLY ASSEMBLING A BETTER ASSOCIATION STRATEGIC PLAN.
7 PRACTICAL WAYS TO DESIGN A BETTER ASSOCIATION STRATEGY
Base your plan on your association’s values
Incorporate multiple perspectives
Assess your operating environment
Set a timeline for planning and implementation
Keep internal and external stakeholders in the loop
Use the right tech tools to ensure success
Regularly measure your progress
1. LET YOUR VALUES GUIDE YOUR ASSOCIATION STRATEGY
What is most important to your association? Serving members? Serving the industry? Let the reasons your association was founded, combined with modern approaches to solving today’s challenges, be the impetus behind your strategy. Arundati Dandapani calls this practice finding your "value story." Refer to your mission, too: Does your current or future strategy drive your association toward achieving that mission?
If you need help translating your core values into an actionable association strategy, think of them in terms of three to five core priorities you want to achieve as an association. Translate those priorities into SMART goals: