Articles

"Strategic Outsourcing: Doing more with less"
by Phil Lesser, PhD, CAE
Reprinted from Association Forum

"The key idea in using strategic outsourcing to increase an association's success is to focus on the word strategic. What is absolutely core to achieving the association's mission? Where do the CEO and/or key staff have in-depth knowledge of the association's members? And where can they best add value to the association by focusing staff efforts?

One way to help staff focus on those areas is to free them up from other activities that can be done by others. In a word: outsource."

Read Strategic Outsourcing

"Is It a Gift or a Bribe?"
by Phil Lesser, PhD, CAE
Reprinted with permission, copyright July 2005, American Society of Association Executives, Washington, D.C.

"Meeting professionals confront ethical dilemmas constantly. In fact, few association executives are asked as visibly, or as frequently, as you are, to make choices with ethical implications. Whether questions arise from a supplier extending a gift or from a location offering a fam trip, you must ask yourself: Is it right?"

Read "Is It a Gift or a Bribe?"

"Ethical Practice Is Smart Practice for AMCs"
By Philip Lesser, CAE
Reprinted with permission, copyright June 2005, American Society of Association Executives, Washington, D.C.

"One way for AMCs to establish themselves as the go-to source for associations seeking management services is to be absolutely aboveboard in all of their dealings. This is especially important given that your clients are so dependent on maintaining their reputations and good names. A strong commitment to ethical practice, the way owners, employees, and clients act, becomes more than just window dressing; not only is it the right thing to do, it is something that will help your clients. And anything that helps your clients makes solid business sense."

Read "Ethical Practice Is Smart Practice for AMCs"