Associations are struggling to attract experienced volunteer leaders, and resources are stretched thin. While a senior association manager for an Association Management Company (AMC), I’ve spent many years developing, implementing, and measuring association strategic plans; the process always benefits from fresh perspectives and the right tools.
The Strategic plan and its implementation are crucial to the success of an association.
Bringing in a paid expert to support a strategic planning initiative can add significant value, both in accelerating progress and improving the quality of the final plan. Can the association benefit from bringing in a paid expert?
Why Bringing in an External Expert Strengthens Strategic Plan Implementation
Here are some things to consider for adding a paid expert to assist with the implementation of your Strategic Plan:
- • Board members often carry assumptions, internal politics, or blind spots. It is a good idea to expand your thinking past your own bubbles. A paid expert can challenge groupthink without fear of hurting any feelings. They can also provide an external viewpoint and will rely on data-driven insight rather than internal experiences, leading to stronger decision-making.
- • Experts work across multiple organizations and industries. They can bring proven strategic frameworks & practices to the table. They are aware of current trends and emerging risks and provide insight into what works and what doesn’t.
- • Strategic planning can stretch out when internal teams juggle operational responsibilities.
A paid expert has dedicated time to focus on strategy and keep the ball moving forward. - • Strategy often requires cross-functional buy-in. Experts can be good at facilitating important conversations, dealing with disagreements, and preventing the process from stagnating. An expert is good at connecting the crossover between strategic imperatives and bridging the conversations needed to drive consensus.
- • A paid expert can transform complex discussions into clear, easy-to-read strategy documents. With their knowledge, they can cut through the clutter and make it clear to board members & committees what needs to happen for the strategy to be successful.
- • Having an external expert shows commitment to the process and signals an investment in the success of the plan. This can improve engagement by the board, stakeholders, and decision-makers.
- • A good expert doesn’t just deliver a plan—they teach teams how to think strategically. The association and its leadership gain by applying a process and internal planning capabilities
- • Experts have seen patterns across organizations and can highlight challenges and areas that the association should steer clear of. The expert can help create a realistic plan.
There is a clear argument for bringing in an external paid expert to help with the implementation of your association’s strategic plan. As every good board will do, they will assess how to allocate the proper resources to ensure the strategic imperatives are pursued & successful.
How to Move Forward If an External Expert Isn’t an Option
Not all associations can afford or invest in an outside expert to assist with the implementation of the strategic plan. If that is the case, look at the above bullet points as things to consider in order to avoid the pitfalls and adapt the strategy so that you and your team can elevate and streamline your association’s strategic planning, without having to hire an external expert.
The Strategic Value of External Expertise
A paid expert can accelerate progress, improve quality, strengthen alignment, and reduce risk,ultimately creating a strategy that is more actionable, credible, and durable. A more actionable, credible, and durable plan will foster engagement in the association and lead to the attraction of volunteer leaders more willing to give their time to the association’s success.