Yesterday, we discussed why it’s not a good idea to add new requirements onto existing job descriptions or, more generally, to approach the labor market without a clear plan indicating what you need and how you plan to use it. Simply put, you’re not likely to bring in the resources you need to engage, retain, and grow your membership, and you won’t get the most out of your talent budget.

Hiring managers often jump right into job descriptions when they have needs. Rather than starting new, they’ll take something that exists and tack on a slew of added responsibilities. This is certainly convenient, but it’s also problematic, especially when the new roles involve emerging fields such as digital marketing.

I left Robert O’Neill’s speech feeling inspired and excited about what I had just learned.  Life wasn’t so bad, and I didn’t have one bit of stress in my life that was anywhere near what he had gone through, especially from my job.  I felt like someone had just slapped some sense into me and I wanted to go slap some sense into as many people as I could.  I could not stop talking about this speech.  So when my boss came to me and asked if I would write a blog, I more then jumped at the chance. 

I'm watching the changes in the association world unfold before my eyes on a daily basis. The association industry as we knew it is being disrupted and needs to evolve if the organizations are going to remain intact and continue to have a purpose. The latest disruptor I've seen? Inbound. It's hard to understand why this isn't an association, but there's no dues, conference rates are higher and there's a different set of rules for what's considered normal.

Automating workflow and content publishing to members without lifting a finger is amazing, but what is more amazing is being nominated for the Best Email Newsletter Design and Engagement by The Canadian Online Publishing Awards (COPA)! 

With that headline, I either have everyone over 40 reading this or only those under 40 who are hoping that I can help advance their cause.

In truth, these words are a direct quote from a woman I met last week at Litmus' Email Design Conference. The whole quote actually goes like this "Look around this room. The whole conference is between 25-40, but the problem is that we all report to people over 40 who don't get it and just keep pressuring us to send bad email."

Then she said, "Please help-- people over 40 just don't get it".