Came across this blog by Bob Blonchek of Stravora Consulting, via Acronym.

Bob was at Tech09 and has some very insightful things to say about it. I particularly like this post, where he talks about how he's seeing associations starting to embrace disruptive technologies - but there's a disconnect between that interest and the traditional RFP/budget-cycle system for approving technology projects.

I agree that it's time to incorporate Chris Sacca's ideas about starting with the end-user and their needs, plus being able to be flexible and to experiment with simple, low cost technologies - at least alongside the cumbersome RFP system described by Bob. I will say that Lindy and I try to avoid responding to RFPs in the first place - because we just don't work like that. We can't give you the plan before we brainstorm with your team about it. We can't tell you how long it will take. (We will give you a strategy roadmap and we will tell you what practical steps to take now and later on - but that's after we've teamed up.)

It's not just about RFP's of course. Bob says,

Maybe the time has come for Associations to create small R&D organizations that are charged with innovation: understanding the jobs that members need to get done, and following an emergent strategy that incorporates learning and rapid adjustment to create products and services that resonate.

It seems to me that this is the best way for Associations to break out of the technology inertia that keeps them focused internally on their existing systems and to get back to delivering killer applications that make it easier for members to do something they were already trying to accomplish.

And then maybe next year ASAE can host the first Innovation Conference for Associations too.

Read the rest - tell me if you agree.

Originally posted @ Socialfishing...