The Modern Association Playbook

A Bold Blueprint for Association Leaders Ready to Transform Their Organisations for the Platform Era

Written for today’s association leaders who are ready to challenge legacy models and design new paths to impact, relevance, and financial sustainability, The Modern Association Playbook offers a comprehensive guide to navigating the profound structural changes reshaping the membership sector.

What You’ll Discover:

• Platform Economics for Associations: Learn how to transition from traditional service-provider models to dynamic ecosystem orchestration that enables multi-stakeholder value co-creation
• Modern Governance Frameworks: Reimagine governance as ecosystem stewardship with practical tools for adaptive, transparent, and ethical oversight
• Strategic Transformation: Master the shift from Association 1.0 (hierarchical, static) to Association 2.0 (networked, platform-based ecosystems)
• The Association Platform Success Framework (APSF): A comprehensive model integrating core goals, pillars, and design principles for sustainable transformation
• Trust and Legitimacy Building: Navigate declining institutional trust with strategies for rebuilding credibility and member engagement

Practical Tools and Real-World Applications

Built on real-world experience and grounded in modern strategy, this playbook provides diagnostic frameworks, implementation matrices, and strategic scorecards designed for immediate application in boardrooms and strategic planning sessions. Features Australian case studies and regulatory context, making it highly relevant for domestic association leaders.

Perfect For:

• Association CEOs and Executive Directors

• Board Directors and Chairs

• Company Secretaries and Governance Professionals

• Strategic Planners in the NFP sector

• Membership Organisation Leaders

Sean M Johnson is a seasoned governance advisor and company secretary based in Townsville, Queensland, with extensive experience in association management and platform economics.

Ready to lead your association’s transformation? This playbook provides the structured path forward you’ve been seeking.

sean@lakefielddrive.co

https://lakefielddrive.co/

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Publication Details:

• Published: 2025

• Format: Digital Only

• Pages : 375

• Category: Business Strategy / Non-Profit Management /Governance

ISBN:  978-1-7640727-1-7 (Ebook PDF)