Going Real Fast is of Little Value if You Are Going The Wrong Way
As the 2009 MCA-I Board of Directors creates the plan for the coming year we need feedback from YOU - our members, and prospective members - to direct our efforts toward what is most important.
1) What value/benefits does MCA-I provide you today?
2) What value/benefits could MCA-I provide today?
3) What should MCA-I be in 2011 (in what direction should we evolve)?
Sailing: A Metaphor for winning in difficult times by MCA-I President Lee Vogel
Last August, I wrote here about how savvy media pros bear down during tough times.
The week of Christmas radio reported the “surprising” news that housing was down in the third quarter as if it were some major revelation and not already in the distant past. This week there is a concern that the credit crunch may not have been as severe as originally thought and there is speculation that the first rounds of bailout may not have been necessary.
No matter what the news, everyone seems to acknowledge that the more bad news is spread - the more preoccupied people become and nobody wants to spend or invest which ultimately delays any recovery.
Sailors know races are won in light wind and by the light of the moon. This compares well to my experience as an entrepreneur.
Any common landlubber can go fast when the wind is coming constant and from the right direction. In the same way, it’s not hard to find business when time as are good and there is a high demand for your services. But in business and sailing races the wind is seldom where you want it to be. As a matter of fact, many sailboat races are run in a triangular pattern. Though one leg may be a “screamer,” the other two may have the wind coming from the side or one quarter from dead behind.
A winner knows how to reposition the angle of the craft and the sails to the wind to get the most of it. In the same way, entrepreneurs may have to shift their marketing focus or the application of their services to new prospects when existing clients aren’t buying. In that way, they make progress in a light wind when their competition is bobbing around, waiting for their old clients to starting buying again.
MCA-I Grows a Membership Chair in the Frozen Tundra of Buffalo
(The first in what will be a monthly look at the MCA-I Board of Directors)
MCA-I welcomes a new Membership Chair to the board of directors, Peter K. O’Connell.
He comes to the Membership chairmanship at MCA-I with significant professional experience in membership recruitment, retention and promotion having managed membership offices for Arnold Palmer Golf Management, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership and as membership chair on the board of the Buffalo Niagara Sales and Marketing Executives. In these organizations, Peter and his teams have won numerous sales awards and broken sales records for recruitment and retention.
“My great hope is that MCA-I members receive even better educational and networking opportunities than ever before so that they’ll not only want to renew their membership but also gladly invite their peers to become members too,” O’Connell said. Peter continued, “Based on the conversations I have already had with board members and chapter leaders I think our members will enjoy all the tremendous professional development ideas and plans MCA-I has in store in 2009.”
Peter, who has been a professional voice talent since 1982, owns audio’connell Voice Over Talent and International Voice Talents.
When he’s not enjoying free time with his wife and two young children, Peter takes pleasure in frightening on-lookers and his playing partners with his usually errant golf shots.
This is a great way to spread the word!Stir up a bit of buzz
by showing your colors!
Order today using the MCA-I "Proud Member" Decal - Secure Order Form
These 3 X 5, Static cling decals have no adhesive but rather a cling surface that can be applied to smooth glass, plastic and metal surfaces.
Buy a bunch as:
• Meeting give-aways
• Say thank you to speakers and meeting host
• Give to all your sponsors - a great way to market our association
• One for your office, your home, your car and one for your forehead!
• Show your MCA-I pride!
MCA-I Members Save 20% on Lynda.com Online Software Training
Save 20% on a Premium subscription to the Lynda.com Online Training Library®
Learn it all. Learn it fast. Learn it now.
See for yourself why the Lynda.com library of web-based video tutorials has built a reputation as one of the most valuable software training solutions available.
• Watch the video tutorials you need, at your own pace.
• Choose from hundreds of courses, plus new releases weekly.
• Master current and future software tools from Adobe, Apple, Microsoft, and more.
Use the MCI-A member discount code to save 20% off your premium subscription.
Multi-user subscriptions are also available.
MCA-I Executive Committee Meets to Inspire Local Leaders
"The answer to a stronger, healthier Association lies in leveraging the opportunities that come with belonging to an international association."
Gary Shifflet, MCA-I President Elect
2009 will be a year of rejuvenation as the new BOD of MCA-I begin its work. 08’ President Lee Vogel and President Emeritus Mike Brown have agreed to take on a second year at the helm to finish the work they started, and have been joined by President Elect Gary Shifflet to reinforce the focus, goals and direction of the Association.
The key to our success is to have the support and energy of our local Chapter Leaders to attract new members and sponsorships, as well as re-connecting with past members we have lost over the last few years. We understand the challenges will be difficult in recruiting from the individual local markets. But strong leadership support and a commitment to motivate individuals and corporate sponsors are the foundation the International needs to help revive the organization.
Here are several action items for our local Chapter Leaders to consider for 2009:
- Challenge their local supporters and corporate vendors to review the sponsorship opportunities on the International level and get involved
- Share success stories from their chapter about a strong meeting or membership drive that worked
- Recruit and help organize student members and their faculty leaders to support and get involved with their local chapter
Mapquest
Add to Calendar
•
del.icio.us
digg
facebook
E-mail this article to a friend (requires login).
15-Feb-10