Global Growth Strategies: The International Association

Key Questions

Are you thinking about how to grow your organization internationally?

Consider the long term trends affecting your profession or industry sector. You might want to consider some important questions and ask, “What changes are expected over the next 5-10-15 years?”:

• What are the major trends affecting my profession or sector?


• What is the pace of change in my environment? How fast are things changing?


• Am I aware of what is happening outside my immediate environment?


• Who is our key stakeholder group (and is it the same group internationally)?


• What are we trying to achieve and how will we measure success?


• What are the opportunities and how do we measure their true potential?


• What are the barriers to realize the opportunities? 


• How can we benefit from the knowledge and experience of others?

As associations confront the many issues posed by globalization they will be forced to ask themselves critical questions about their future. Staff and volunteers will need to work closely to define their future and to make the changes needed to succeed.

Associations are so diverse and operate under conditions and in environments that are so significantly different from one another that it is impossible to suggest a “one-size fits all” solution to international development. Yet, it is hard to identify an association or organization that is not affected, at least in some significant manner, by globalization.

The question for association leaders, managers, staff and their stakeholders is how will they interpret the changes taking place, correctly identify the potential implications and then decide a course of action that successfully navigates these changes?

The Global Growth Strategies Workshop is designed to help association management and their leadership teams to ask the right questions and to develop an informed and appropriate strategy.

It is based on research, case studies as well as the author’s observations and extensive experience from 20 years in the management of trade and professional associations on an international basis. It is also shaped by the contributions of numerous professionals in the association community that have offered their views and insights.  

I encourage you to register for the workshop where you will receive hands-on advice and guidance on how to grow your association globally!

Terrance Barkan CAE, GLOBALSTRAT Chief Strategist & Business Architect

Former ASAE International Section Council Chair