09/16/2024

Embarking on the Foresight Journey

Association leaders reflect on their first 30 days of implementation

Following the completion of the inaugural ASAE program Leading a Resilient Association–Using Foresight to Drive Your Strategy and Operations, a diverse cohort of association professionals embarked on their individual paths to integrate foresight into their organizations. The group included presidents and CEOs, CFOs, heads of operations, directors of membership and business development, advocacy directors, directors of chapter relations, managing directors of strategic partnerships, HR directors, consultants and others—all representing associations and AMCs (association management companies) of varying sizes and sectors.

Recently, session facilitators Kristine Metter, MS, CAE, and Suzanne Pine, FASAE, CAE, convened a call to allow attendees to share their experiences from the first 30 days of their foresight journey. Each participant’s approach to applying foresight principles to strategy and operations varied significantly, reflecting the unique needs and dynamics of their respective organizations.

Real-world Approaches to Foresight Implementation

Top-Down or Staff-Up (both work!). Some attendees initiated their foresight journey by introducing key concepts from ASAE's ForesightWorks research to their CEOs and senior leadership. This led to broader engagement, including board retreats and strategic planning sessions focused on integrating foresight discussions into organizational frameworks.

Please select this link to read the complete article from ASAE’s Center for Association Leadership.