The Association Guide to Going Global
New Strategies for a Changing Economic Landscape
By Steven Worth: President, Plexus Consulting Group, LLC
Reviews
"A very well written study of the evolving business environment and how all companies can survive, thrive, and expand their presence in the fast changing global marketplace. While the focus of Mr. Worth's book is directed at the impact of globalization on professional associations, I found the information in this book to be applicable to all companies, whether they are profit or non-profit based. The applications and principles presented in this book can be put to work for any company already operating in a global market or contemplating entry into an offshore market regardless of their product, service, or business model. I recommend this book to anybody looking to expand their presence in the world."
Dennis P. Hobbs
Mfg. Matters, LLC
"This book was recommended to me as I was setting up a one-day meeting for a medical association to create a plan for dealing strategically with burgeoning interest and growth from outside North America. By the time I was half way through it, I had recommended it to our president and the retreat facilitator. The president read it and promptly asked me to order copies for all the members who would be at the retreat. As a result, members came to the meeting with a much better understanding of challenges, opportunities, and key considerations that we would need to work through. It is obvious that Mr. Worth has not only studied this topic, but also speaks from extensive experience. He knows his subject and presents it clearly and concisely. Even our non-US attendees referred throughout the meeting to ideas and suggestions from the book. It helped us set up the agenda and I'm confident that we accomplished much more in our eight hour day than we would have without it. I recommend it highly to other associations that are struggling with the exciting but intimidating fact that the world IS becoming smaller and it will be increasingly difficult for organizations to prosper if they don't think carefully about how they respond."
Tressa Goulding, CAE, CMP
"Some points I found especially compelling in the The Association Guide to Going Global's discussion of globalization's evolution and role in organizations: (1) the need for nonprofits to shift from investing in increased membership to investing in understanding and tailoring to the changing markets they've entered or plan to enter; (2) the need for recognizing and meeting unique opportunities that have arisen due to the very trend of globalization; (3) the value in learning about and reaching out to relevant organizations that already exist and may even be flourishing in their markets; (4) the value in exploring government programs that may bolster financially a nonprofit's tenure in a desired market and even lead to a symbiotic relationship between government and nonprofit initiatives; (5) the importance of a nonprofit's balance between inward-looking and outward-looking; (6) the paradox that going global means going local, and the implications for strategy; (7) the notion that globalization enables the proliferation of individual expression rather than the melding of such differences into a generic whole; (8) the fact that globalization implies more choices; (9) the three vital components of sustainable international leadership; (10) the utility of hashing out as relevant and specific questions as possible both for market research and for partnership research; (11) consideration of the fact that association membership-building (and resulting dues) cannot, alone, be expected to secure an organization's revenue streams; (12) the integral role that attention to cultural characteristics, foreign language, and body language plays in informing communication, negotiation, and decision-making; and (13) the indisputable roles that China's and India's (as well as Brazil's and Russia's) markets must play in organizations' plans for global expansion. The book's reflections on the importance of innovation, imagination, and flexibility in the context of an increasingly globalized world resonated with me most. I felt inspired by examples of creative solutions at various levels of organizations (such as AOCFI's decision to rewrite its bylaws in order to adapt to changing demands). I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and I felt that its themes and analyses were absolutely thought-provoking."
L.B.A., Washington, D.C.
"Steve Worth has provided the Association community with an invaluable resource on globalization. As Associations face the prospect of operating in a global environment, this book is a "must read" before make ONE STEP forward. Based on Worth's extensive experience and with many examples and real-world case studies, the book is the best thing I've found in bringing knowledge and expertise to associations - and clealy articulating just how complex "going global" can be. I've not only recommended this book to my client associations, I have given copies as gifts to them. Worth has really filled a major void in the association literature."
Edward H. Able,
Jr Fellow,
American Society of Association Executives
“In this seminal book, Steve Worth provides both the opportunity and obligation for associations to globalize. He clearly demonstrates that associations are unique with regard to having a mission focus as they cross borders. However, that is not to say they should act in an unprofitable way, and he provides insightful steps for every association leader to follow as they undertake the adventure. I only wish I had such a reference and these expert resources 10 years ago when I began the globalization journey!”
-Brian J. Glade, SPHR, GPHR; Vice President, Global Member Programs, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
“It is impossible to exaggerate the importance and timeliness of this superb book! For years, I have been part of the association community and worked hard to figure out how to best move onto the global stage and watched hundreds of my fellow CEOs and staff struggle to do the same. Now finally Steve Worth provides an excellent resource for moving from idea to implementation. This in-depth, well written book will guide your journey and provide a roadmap for critical conversations about going global with boards, staff and other association stakeholders. BRAVO!!!
-Susan Sarfati, CEO, High Performance Strategies; Founding CEO of The Center for Association Leadership; Previous Executive Vice President of The American Society of Association Executives and The Greater Washington Society of Association Executives
"Whether you are looking to take your organization global or you are already there, you will gain additional insights by reading this book. It is must reading for any board member or executive."
-James Zaniello, President, Vetted Solutions
"This is a great copy! Your examples put concepts into action. I predict this will be very well received. It would have been helpful to read when I was involved with AOCFI."
-John Poynton, former Board Chair of AOCFI
"I think your content and approach is very good, and should provide a needed resource for all nonprofits interested in globalizing operations. There’s nothing I know of that puts all of your information into one place as you have."
-Virgil Carter, Executive Director (retired) of PMI and ASME
"Thank you so much for the chance to look at your book’s concluding chapter! I think it’s a great final chapter for your book, and it makes me look forward to reading the whole thing once it’s published."
-Lisa Junker, CAE, IOM / Editor-in-Chief, Associations Now, ASAE & The Center
Long overdue! Too many associations "fall into" international membership and services, overrate what they are doing and underestimate the cost, including staff and volunteer costs, of doing it right."
"And too many consultants offer billable hours without tried solutions. The matrix alone will save associations tens of thousands of dollars as they examine key decisions to be made and vital conversations to have on "going global.""
-Douglas M. Kleine, CAE
Professional Association Services
"I want you to know I received a copy of your new book…read some of it already and appreciate its timing as I get the steps together for international expansion. Thanks for writing it and thinking of sending it to me."
- Elizabeth M. Lucas, Executive Director of the American Massage Therapy Association and Massage
"On behalf of the Officers and Board Members of the Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives (CESSE), I write to express our deepest appreciation for your participation in our 2010 Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh.
Your presentation was extremely well received. I was approached many times over the remaining course of the meeting by attendees with comments about how much they learned and were propelled by both the content and perspective that you brought to the session. I hope you were as gratified as I to see so many among the audience taking notes during your presentation.
Your new book made its way to me. Thanks very much. Can’t wait to read it. From the comments made during the CESSE meeting, I think it will be a best seller with this community. Just what many of us need."
-Bill Davis, Executive Director, American Anthropological Association
