Comments on: Is there an imagination deficit in associations today? http://www.alwaysdoneitthatway.com/2007/05/20/is-there-an-imagination-deficit-in-associations-today/ 101 Things About Associations We Must Change Sat, 06 Mar 2010 19:01:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Dennis McDonald http://www.alwaysdoneitthatway.com/2007/05/20/is-there-an-imagination-deficit-in-associations-today/#comment-5144 Dennis McDonald Mon, 11 Jun 2007 21:07:38 +0000 http://www.alwaysdoneitthatway.com/?p=163#comment-5144 This is really a comment on data driven strategies, not on innovation per se. I think you need both, though I think that "data driven" is an incorrect term since data should not be driving strategy. My real point is that you do need data -- you should be able to say, for example, whether or not the money you spend actually relates to what you are attempting to accomplish. In the IT management world this is sometimes referred to as "aligning IT resources with strategic objectives." If 4 out of 5 of your 3-year plan's goals relate to member services, yet 70% of you budget isn't going to member services (I'm making these numbers up) shouldn't you know this type of fact as a matter of course? And be able to explain it? Again, I'm not de-emphasizing innovation. I just think that keeping your finger on the pulse of what your organization is doing involves not only innovation but also knowing where money and resources are going -- and that takes data. This is really a comment on data driven strategies, not on innovation per se.

I think you need both, though I think that “data driven” is an incorrect term since data should not be driving strategy.

My real point is that you do need data — you should be able to say, for example, whether or not the money you spend actually relates to what you are attempting to accomplish.

In the IT management world this is sometimes referred to as “aligning IT resources with strategic objectives.” If 4 out of 5 of your 3-year plan’s goals relate to member services, yet 70% of you budget isn’t going to member services (I’m making these numbers up) shouldn’t you know this type of fact as a matter of course? And be able to explain it?

Again, I’m not de-emphasizing innovation. I just think that keeping your finger on the pulse of what your organization is doing involves not only innovation but also knowing where money and resources are going — and that takes data.

]]> By: Kare Anderson http://www.alwaysdoneitthatway.com/2007/05/20/is-there-an-imagination-deficit-in-associations-today/#comment-4988 Kare Anderson Wed, 06 Jun 2007 17:34:53 +0000 http://www.alwaysdoneitthatway.com/?p=163#comment-4988 Three years ago, John Cleese predicted the decline of the U.S. (brash man that he is) because of an increasing lack of "active, wide-ranging" curiousity in the world around us. Three years ago, John Cleese predicted the decline of the U.S. (brash man that he is) because of an increasing lack of “active, wide-ranging” curiousity in the world around us.

]]> By: Principled Innovation LLC » An important conversation on the imagination deficit http://www.alwaysdoneitthatway.com/2007/05/20/is-there-an-imagination-deficit-in-associations-today/#comment-4558 Principled Innovation LLC » An important conversation on the imagination deficit Tue, 22 May 2007 17:06:01 +0000 http://www.alwaysdoneitthatway.com/?p=163#comment-4558 [...] As long as I'm pointing you to my posts on other blogs, don't forget to check out my thoughts on the association's community's imagination deficit on the We Have Always Done It That Way blog. And be sure to read Ben's additional perspectives, which are right on target. [...] [...] As long as I’m pointing you to my posts on other blogs, don’t forget to check out my thoughts on the association’s community’s imagination deficit on the We Have Always Done It That Way blog. And be sure to read Ben’s additional perspectives, which are right on target. [...]

]]> By: Ben http://www.alwaysdoneitthatway.com/2007/05/20/is-there-an-imagination-deficit-in-associations-today/#comment-4554 Ben Tue, 22 May 2007 16:12:21 +0000 http://www.alwaysdoneitthatway.com/?p=163#comment-4554 Jeff, I have some more thoughts on this over <a href="http://caeexam.blogspot.com/2007/05/imagination-deficit-has-many-causes.html" rel="nofollow">on my blog</a>. Jeff, I have some more thoughts on this over on my blog.

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