Principled Innovation LLC

Associations can be more like Twitter

April 12th, 2009

The recent conversation about the value of Twitter on ASAE & The Center’s listservers got me thinking about a different and, frankly, more compelling thought experiment:

How can associations be more like Twitter?

So, as blogger buddy Maddie Grant has already posted, I posed this question at my breakfast session last Thursday in Alexandria, Virginia.  I asked the three groups of attendees to brainstorm ways associations can adapt to become more like Twitter.  Each group came up with its own list of ideas, and I want to share them with you, along with the names (and Twitter handles if available) of the members of each group:

Group 1

+Anyone can join in the conversation
+Best ideas bubble up no matter who comes up with them
+Everyone is equal – worth is measured by collaboration
+Think creatively about sources of revenue
+Brevity
+Adaptability
+Quick moving
+Inclusive
+Open to others innovating in their space

Paula Bee (@pbee), Chris Bucchere (@bucchere), Elizabeth Weaver Engel (@ewengel), Chris Hopkinson (@dubmenow), Justine Uhlenbrock (@justinerows), Liz Icenogle (Assoc Builders & Contractors), Paul Moniz (Urban Land Institute), Jean Rhame (American Association of Clinical Chemistry)

Group 2

+Anyone could join (and for free)
+Short/brevity in communications
+Fast/instant response
+Searchability
+Easy market research
+Decentralized - the member network is more important than having centralized control
+More organic hierarchy based on social capital, without gatekeepers

Lindy Dreyer (@lindydreyer), Maddie Grant (@maddiegrant), Rene Shonerd (@rshonerd), MariAnne Woehrle (@agnewfarms), Heather McKenzie (@hlmckenzie), Leslie White (@ltwhite), Peggy Hoffman (@peggyhoffman), ACTE on Twitter @actecareertech

Group 3

+Brevity
+Nimble
+Relationship building
+Meaningful
+Crowd recognition = promotion
+Personal
+Speeds up bureaucracy
+Open

Mendy Cunningham (@IFDA), Toni Rae Brotons (@toniraebrotons or @toni_IFDA), Shane Robinson (@ArashRobinson), Shannon Burke (@shannonburke), Nancy Sansalone (@slacfo), Maura Kennedy (Special Libraries Association), Quan Logan (Special Libraries Association)

Wow, talk about innovation!  (Thanks to everyone who participated in the exercise.)  These three short lists surface several common themes, each of which represents a huge opportunity to reinvent associations for the 21st century.  Which among them intrigues you the most?  What ideas would you add to the mix?  What is your take on how associations can become more like Twitter?  Please share your thoughts in the comments below!

Entry Filed under: Principled Innovation Blog, What's New?, Social Media, Innovation, Associations, Extreme Makeover, The Association Innovator, Simplicity, We Have Always Done It That Way, PI Events, Garage Memes, Embrace the Revolution