It’s foolish to have a blog called, From My Seat at the Bar, and not provide insight into booze now and then. How, I as a leader of a company during this crisis, effectively self-medicate to improve moral and performance (my own). We now know, thanks to our government leaders, that liquor stores are considered an essential service. Something most of us have known for quite some time. Our instinctive drink choices give insight into how we cope with difficult or changing times. Why work so hard when every answer to every question can be found in your liquor cabinet? Let’s begin. Booze = Medicine In his wonderful book, Colonial Spirits, a Toast to Our Drunken History, author Steven Grasse properly reminds us in the first chapter that booze is medicine. Early settlers were faced with bad water. Dealt with a host of diseases. Fought with hostile natives (now pronounced […]

  Definition of Black Swan Event An event or occurrence that deviates beyond what is normally expected of a situation and that would be extremely difficult to predict.     How did the COVID-19 Crisis Hit One Association? On March 12, 2020, I and my colleague Phil Puckorius, Vice President of Association Laboratory arrived in San Diego. Our goal was to lead the International Warehouse Logistics Association through strategic planning. Here’s what we found upon arriving. California Governor Gavin Newsome had just spoken about the state’s response to the growing crisis. Quickly referred to as the Newsome 250 Policy, for all practical purposes, resulted in wide-spread cancellation of meetings with more than 250 attendees. Respecting growing concerns about the spread of the virus, the Board and staff had acted swiftly. The convention at which the strategic planning meeting was being held had just been cancelled that day. More than 423 […]

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Nikki Golden is an award-winning association executive and former Executive Director of the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery. She will join Association Laboratory as a Strategist on May 4. Nikki is an Association Forum/USAE 40 under 40 award winner with more than a decade of experience in association leadership. With special expertise in membership, marketing and communication, she has worked with both professional and trade associations during the course of her career. “Nikki is going to be a great addition to our team. We’re looking forward to adding her marketing and communication abilities, and frankly, just excited to get to work with someone so talented.” Said Dean West, President of Association Laboratory. Nikki will be responsible for leading client engagements and contributing to corporate content and marketing efforts. Prior to her association work, Nikki Golden worked in publishing and journalism. Association Laboratory provide research and strategy to […]