It wasn’t enough time, the three hours I just spent filling recycling and trash bins with paper files, old magazines and random office detritus. But that was the point at which I stopped regretting the loss of my seemingly endless paper trail and "just-in-case" reference material.

The occasion is an office move, less than two weeks away. Our sweet new digs have about half the storage space for paper and things, so everyone at Kellen Deerfield is engaged in a massive, controlled purge.

There is some grousing about the two or three moving crates everyone is allowed to fill with their working materials for their new workspace. Everything else must go, if not to the recycle bin or trash, then to storage. I have heard parts of the document retention policy quoted in the lunchroom.

What I realize, as I look at my nearly empty cabinets and shelves, and the bare desk surfaces, is that being surrounded by this stuff has been an ironic distraction; it made me look busier but produce less. Now, the stuff is almost gone. What remains is what I actually need and use. I feel lighter.

The smart people who designed our new office space had the data: "Excess things in your surroundings can have a negative impact on your ability to focus and process information." That’s what neuroscientists at Princeton University found when they looked at people’s task performance in an organized versus disorganized environment. The results of the study showed that physical clutter in your surroundings competes for your attention, resulting in decreased performance and increased stress.

Minimizing clutter is one conscious choice made in our new office design. Other design choices and amenities were engineered to promote mobility, growth and collaboration. Leading change can be an exciting and rewarding thing, requiring art...and science.

The most difficult part of any change is getting started. You may find it difficult to set aside time without the deadline of an upcoming office move, but the simple act of reducing office sludge can help you and your team refocus on efficiency and your highest value activities.

Greg Schultz 

One of AMCI’s most popular and most used research reports is the AMC Operating Ratio Report, which offers AMC owners and executives benchmarking data on AMC business and financial parameters. This fall, the AMCI Research & Benchmarking Task Force and Profit Planning Group will produce an update to the study. All AMC members are invited to participate. Watch your inbox in early October for an email with more information and instructions for helping AMCI with this initiative. Results will be released at the 2016 AMCI Annual Meeting!

The revised AMCI/ANSI Standard became effective on January 1st of this year.  All accredited firms should be adhering to the new Standard. Even firms that are not up for re-accreditation this year should be following the  revisions as the new Standard applies to all accredited companies.

It is important for all of your staff to be familiar with the revisions in order to adapt your corporate policies and procedures for compliance. Don't wait until your re-accreditation year to start your updates.

AMCI offers a concise summary on the important changes that went into effect this year, in addition to the complete Standard.

If you have any questions, contact Accreditation Manager Janine Oney-Schmitt at joney-schmitt@amcinstitute.org or 571-527-3108 ext.130.

Does your AMC have a social media policy? What about your clients? Everyone uses social media today but it is important for associations, nonprofit organizations and their AMCs to be aware of the legal issues associated with it. Read on for more on what you need to know.

We need your assistance!  AMCI is working to update the sample policies, which aid accrediting and re-accrediting companies in their efforts to draft policies that will comply with the Standard of Good Practices for the Association Management Company Industry.
 
Please submit your policies as they relate to any section of the Standard. Companies who submit samples will be credited for doing so. The samples will be compiled as part of an Accreditation Workbook which will be available on AMCI Institute's website.

Please submit your sample policies to Janine Oney-Schmitt at joney-schmitt@amcinstitute.org.

AMCI’s Accredited Executive Leadership Program (ELF) returns in 2015 with a game-changing strategy for your business. This powerful executive program provides an unmatched forum for leaders of AMCs of all sizes to learn from top business educators.

This year’s ELF brings a unique dual program that offers the expertise of The University of British Columbia, Sauder School of Business, one of the best business schools in the world, and Win Without Pitching, a renowned consultancy for professional services firms and creative agencies.

The result promises to be an intensive experience that takes a head-on look at the tough challenges facing AMC leaders, including creativity and innovation in the business and service model, brand building and management, selling professional services and fostering a business built around enduring core values. Attend the Executive Leadership Forum to gain new knowledge, skills and insights to lead your AMC to greater success.

You may download the Accredited Executive Leadership Program (ELF) brochure here. 

Deadline to book hotel reservations is October 15, 2015. 

To register visit the Meetings and Events page and click on Upcoming Events - Accredited Executive Leadership Forum.

The Executive Leadership Forum is exclusively for AMCI Accredited firms.

What attendees had to say about AMCs Engaged!

SInce AMCs Enaged! wrapped up last month, we've continued to receive rave reviews on the education content and networking.  Comments like:  "I want more!," "it exceeded my expectations," "awesome research" and "the best!"  And one attendee summed it up like this:  "Truly, I found everything about this program outstanding...and I've been to a lot of educational programs over the years. The content was extremely relevant!"

The attendee survey numbers break it down:

• 92% said AMCs Engaged! was an important venue to network and stay in touch with AMC colleagues
• 88% of respondents felt motivated as a result of attending AMCs Engaged!
• 85% felt AMCs Engaged! is a good investment 

Why are AMC owners and executives raving about AMCs Engaged?  Because the one-day program was focused on AMC businesses, and giving them the opportunity to gather for education and networking specifically tailored to the unique challenges of the AMC community, and to help AMCs prepare for the changing business landscape.  It was content and connections only AMCI can offer, not available through other sources.

Highlights included:

• Release of a ground-breaking comparative research study that demonstrates associations that partner with AMCs enjoy significant revenue and asset benefits. Learn more and check-out the financial impact study resources.
• A powerful presentation on how to achieve dramatic revenue growth for AMCs where attendees took home no-cost, tools and applicable techniques to implement immediately. 
• A fast paced, hard-hitting session on Meetings Mean Business that gave an overview of the how global influences impact growth and an examination of supply and demand issues impacting the industry.
• An Economic Update that highlighted the most compelling economic issues that will be facing us in the near future.
• Launch of AMCI’s new brand. Check out the brand video!

Members may access more information from AMCs Engaged! on the event recap page here!

If you have any questions, please contact Sylin Bynoe, Meetings Manager, at 571-527-3108, ext. 115, or at sbynoe@amcinstitute.org.