Hello Everyone,
What drives business success, successful achievement of the strategy, etc.??
I wish I knew! I am sure as your president and CEO, I have just raised your confidence levels!!
Seriously, I do have some thoughts and as always, would like to hear your views. After all, this is YOUR association and we all want to see it grow and prosper.
There are some obvious answers. When we soon file our financial statement "form 990" for the fiscal year ending this past June, for the second year in a row we will report a (substantial) increase in net margin with a surplus, double-digit revenue growth, an increase of over 5,500 members in the face of a recession, and a doubling of new CMA candidates, not to mention an array of new value-adding products and services.
So, what are some of the drivers of these business outcomes? Is it a great and inspired Board of Directors? Engaged Chapters and Councils, volunteering their time? A focused leadership team? A commitment to service? An emphasis on running IMA like a real business?? Yes, and, No ....
While I believe all of these in some fashion to be the drivers of positive business outcomes, I believe it is also a commitment to Our Core Values that the IMA management team developed last December: Respect for the Individual, Passion for Serving Members, Highest Standards of Integrity and Trust, Innovation and Continuous Improvement, and, Teaming to Achieve.
In other words, I truly believe that in order to Create Value, you must have a commitment to Core Values as guideposts to appropriate business behavior. It requires caring, courage, and commitment of purpose. The courage includes having "fierce conversations" that are respectful but helps the business make progress. The focus on values includes a desire to win and envision the future, not whine and wallow in the past. We must learn from the past but not be a hostage to it. The future is a bright one, and it is our game to win.
All for now. Would love to hear your thoughts on this subject.
Thanks,
Jeff