nicate with each other in a coordinated
effort. In some jurisdictions, police and
mental health authorities work closely
together to respond quickly and skillfully
to crises. We also need better psycho-educational programming in schools,
better coping assistance programs in the
workplace and better community services
to help individuals, couples and families
in distress as early as possible.
This takes all of us; an electorate that
is willing to invest in public mental
health and public safety.
C-Suite
Confidence
Although the economy remains weak, its
recovery continues to inch closer. The
latest signal: CEOs are feeling more optimistic.
According to The Conference Board,
CEO confidence declined in the third
quarter of 2010, but bounced back in the
fourth quarter, indicating a strong start
for 2011. Specifically, The Conference
Board Measure of CEO Confidence read
62 at the end of last year, up from 50 in
the previous quarter (a reading of more
than 50 points reflects more positive than
negative responses, according to The
Conference Board).
Associations: ‘Mobile Matters’
In 2010, the Oxford English Dictionary added 200 new words and phrases to its official lexicon, including entries such as chillax,
turducken, staycation, buzzkill and frenemy. In 2011, however, there’s only word that matters to associations, suggests digital con-sultancy Fusion Productions: mobile.
Spelled with a lowercase “m,” mobile means smartphones, iPads and GPS, according to Fusion. Spelled with a capital “M,”
however, it serves as a “comprehensive label for the unique qualities of the world in which we live,” which is fast, personal
and always on — “‘round the clock and around the globe.”
It’s Mobile — with a capital “M” — that matters most to associations, Fusion found in a recent survey of association lead-
ers, 68 percent of which said it’s “extremely important” to discover new ways to add value in an age of 24/7 mobile access and
expectations. Among those same leaders, 83 percent said it’s either “extremely” or “very” important to understand how to cre-
ate innovation in products or services, given that obsolescence is now measured in months rather than years.
Other key findings, according to Fusion:
• Seventy-six percent of association leaders said it’s “extremely” important to learn how to engage members emotionally and
create a sense of belonging.
• Ninety-four percent of association leaders said it’s either “extremely” or “very” important to assess how to evolve new business models, not just those based on dues/non-dues revenue.
• Sixty-five percent of association leaders said it’s “extremely” important to create, develop and sustain relevant, trusted content in a 24/7 world.
• Sixty-eight percent of association leaders said it’s “extremely” important to communicate effectively with the next generation of members, stakeholders and employees.
