The concept of efficiency is one that has brought success to many organizations through history. The impact of technology and the management sciences aimed at improving and maximizing commerce is not a new concept with one example dating back to the 1800s with the steam engine and as early as today's modern fuel efficient engines.

An Association Management Company (AMC) was designed to offer efficiencies to nonprofit organizations for over 100 years. An association management company is best-suited to offer the cost savings and technology innovations present in society today due to its economies of scale.

Efficiency is one of the key guiding principles of AMCs. Efficiency, coupled with Expertise and Experience are the three E’s that guide the operating principles of AH. The three E’s are what the American Society of Association Executive’s (ASAE) AMC Council, the premier organization for association professionals, found to be the critical operating principles of any professional AMC. Bill MacMillan, CAE, MBA, Chief Executive Officer of Association Headquarters, is currently a member of the ASAE Board of Directors.

Efficiency - The last of the three E's is Efficiency. AMCs offer economies of scale and efficiencies to associations that are not easily duplicated anywhere else. Efficiencies can be found in the following:

• Technology
• Buying power
• Systems and processes
• Staff allocations and hiring - eliminates the disruption to clients due to fast turnarounds
• Timekeeping records - provides accurate records for resource allocation reviews
• Team assignments - right team member does the right job

Expertise - The first of the three E's is one that concentrates on knowledge. AMCs have unsurpassed knowledge in managing all aspects of associations and professional societies. Due to the diversity that an AMC is exposed to in its work with various associations, an ideal environment is cultivated so that:

• Cross-learning is a necessity
• Internal best practices are shared with team members
• Intensive staff training is provided by the AMC
• Team members working for an AMC have advanced education and certifications
• Team members are specialists and not generalists
• Standard operating procedures are followed
• AMC staff members are leaders in the profession
• Innovation is encouraged and allowed to flourish

Experience - The second of the three E's is experience. As touched on earlier, AMCs, due to their multiple association relationships, have a great deal of experience in serving a wide variety of organizations and helping them meet their organizational objectives. Some of the key points are:

• AMCs have been instrumental in the growth of their clients
• AMCs have established proven long-term relationships with their clients
• AMCs serve a large market serving thousands of associations, employing thousands of employees, producing tens of thousands of meetings and serving hundreds of thousands of members worldwide

AMCs today offer nonprofit organizations:
Unique Identity - As a client partner, your organization will not lose its identity. Every client partner retains and builds upon their unique identity as a client partner of AH.

Customer Satisfaction - This is the key priority at AH. We know that the constituency of our client partners is the most important element of any nonprofit organization. We work every day to achieve our mission of "exceeding our client partners' expectations daily…no exceptions" by dealing with your members as important customers. Response time and information dissemination is critical in achieving success in this area.

Proactive Management - AH's team of experts know the issues surrounding association management today. Through the management of our varied client partners, we experience almost every situation an association will encounter and through those encounters have devised innovative solutions.

Innovative Solutions - AH's team was hand-picked to not only manage an organization but to successfully lead them to creative solutions. Innovation needs to take place in all areas of an organization for it to be successful.

Suitability
AMCs are suitable for any size organization that is either currently managed by staff with a physical location or primarily managed by volunteers. The various stages in the growth of an association are shown here:

Pre-Association: This is the stage where a group of individuals come together for a like cause. This "connection" allows for the first steps in forming an organization. An AMC is invaluable in the shaping stages that a new association or society undergoes.

Outsource Opportunities: Strategic Planning, Start-Up Management

Young Association: In this stage of development, typically volunteers are more active in the management of the association. The association is relatively small and the income streams are just being established. The purpose of the organization is taking shape at this stage.

Outsource Opportunities: Strategic Planning, Administrative and Financial Management

Maturing Association: A maturing association is defined as one where the identity of the association has taken shape. The programs and services of the organization are established and earning revenue for the association or society. Policies and procedures are now in place. Volunteers can no longer handle the day-to-day management of the organization. The association/society needs the skills of a tactical leader so that the volunteer leaders can think and act more strategically.

Outsource Opportunities: Executive Management, Strategic Planning, Administrative and Financial Management, Meeting Management, Member Services Management, Creative Services Management

Mature Association: Building upon the maturing association model, a mature association is very established and respected in the industry with a solid membership base. The members of the association demand high value and reasonably priced services. There is also a greater need to advocate and promote change within the industry and profession.

Outsource Opportunities: Executive Management, Strategic Planning, Administrative and Financial Management, Meeting Management, Member Services Management, Creative Services Management, Public Relations, Government Relations, Accreditation/Certification

The question now becomes, "what has your organization not been able to accomplish and how can AH partner with you to make it happen?"