7 Measures of Success: What Remarkable Associations Do That Others Don't

Some organizations perform better than others, despite facing comparable opportunities and circumstances, says Jim Collins, best-selling author of Good to Great and Built to Last, in his foreword to 7 Measures of Success. He goes on to say that, every association can deliver better results to its members. And that was the intent behind the rigorous multiyear study carried out by the ASAE and The Center for Association Leadership: to identify the factors that set great associations apart from the rest. Using the matched-pair research methodology pioneered by Jim Collins and his partner Jerry Porras, the research group compared 15 years worth of data from nine pairs of associations to uncover seven commitments consistently honored by the great associations that set them apart from the merely good:

• A customer service culture
• Alignment of products and services with mission
• Data-driven strategies
• Dialogue and engagement
• CEO as a broker of ideas
• Organizational adaptability
• Alliance building.

With the purpose of providing readers guidance and inspiration to reach new heights, the book presents the research on these seven factors with stories, data, and analysis. The result is a thorough-going exploration of what it takes to make a good association into a great one.