Don't confuse motion with improvement
I wrote recently how action can produce information. But an important corollary to that idea is that action alone does not necessarily mean improvement.
For example, how much time do we spend preparing board materials that the board never looks at, and even if they do look at it, won't take any action on the information provided? (I mean, sure, this probably never happens at your association...)
I recall once as an association staff person many decades ago spending literally weeks preparing a three inch three-ring binder for our board meeting. At the end of the meeting, the board chair, with barely a glance at me, handed me the binder and said "Do something with this."
The reality is that far too often, we're taking action (in motion) but we're not really improving anything.
So think about all the things you do: the data you're collecting, the reports you're running, the marketing you're sending; all of them are motion, but are they really accomplishing something?
Motion alone is not improvement.
![]()
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
MVP: Minimum Viable Product
MVP: Minimum Viable Product In product development there is a concept known as MVP, or […]
You always need a reason for collecting data
You always need a reason for collecting data When you ask for data from someone […]
If you’re unhappy, speak up!
If you’re unhappy, speak up! My clients will often ask me something along the lines […]
Does it advance the mission?
Does it advance the mission? Because associations are mission-driven, everything you do should be seen […]
How should you start a new data project?
How should you start a new data project? When you’ve got a new data project […]
A Data Integrity Report…for Reports!
I’ve written elsewhere about the value of data integrity reports. But one of the most […]
Simple rules for complex systems
Simple rules for complex systems I first heard the phrase “simple rules for complex systems” […]
Accentuate the positive
Accentuate the positive I’ve written before about the importance of database public relationsand celebrating success. I’ll add […]
Annual dues vs. anniversary dues
Annual dues vs. anniversary dues I served as director of membership for several years at […]
A change of systems requires a change of mindset
Every AMS vendor will tell you that the toughest part of implementing a new system […]
