Working with Clients

Many association management companies simply reel off laundry lists of services they provide. At KMG, we believe that in the final analysis, it's not what we do as much as how we do it that makes the difference.

For example, if you hired an interior designer, you wouldn't ask the firm if they designed interiors. You would ask them what makes their creations special. It's the same at KMG. We think there's something special about the way we manage associations. To show you what we mean, here are a few specific examples:

We manage with respect for the volunteer.

Leaders in a legal-related profession told us they were stymied by their organization's previous management group. Frustrated volunteers listened helplessly as their association staff told them what they could and could not do, and seemed more interested in explaining why a project or program could not be carried out. Volunteers felt ignored and support faded. · The Association directors selected KMG because we designed an operating plan that said "yes" to their members. Then we stuck to our plan. This client has been with KMG since 1988 and it continues to thrive.

We manage for the long run.

The Florida Association of Self Insurance, blessed with an active and involved membership, has prospered with KMG's assistance in strategic and long-range planning. Under the direction of KMG's professional facilitator, the leadership of FASI conducted an intensive strategic planning session, the outcome of which was a concrete long range plan for the organization. KMG actively monitors the specific timetables of the plan as well as the "action plans" for each committee. This approach has proven to be extremely effective in helping FASI meet its organizational goals as well as maintaining an equitable "workload" among the Board and committees.

We manage with creativity.

When the National Association of Physician Recruiters contracted with KMG in 1986, the organization had previously been staffed by an individual on a part time basis, along with help from volunteer members. With such limited support, the Board of Directors was unable to accomplish many of its "wish list" projects. One of the association's major weak spots was public relations, directed both to the general public and to the members' clientele. Working with key industry leaders, KMG staff established a long range public relations strategy and created a specific list of projects to enhance the physician recruiting industry's image. Recently we have finalized an annual report which is a standalone public relations piece, a first class "client brochure" which members distribute to their clients, an online job bank and a media relations program which includes an issues management procedure, press release coverage of all association activities and a clipping service to monitor the overall public relations program's effectiveness.

We manage with sound financial planning.

During a national association's tenure with another management company, finances reached a point best described as "out of control." Expenses were too high, budgets were not adhered to, and excessive costs almost put the organization out of business. KMG moved quickly to lower the management costs, cut unnecessary expense items and implement several non-dues income activities. Strict financial controls were implemented, including monthly financial statements, cash flow analyses, and project by project accounting. Our vigilance paid off. The Association generated an operating surplus and reduced a five figure debt to near zero within 18 months, and one year later had over $70,000 in the bank. Along the way, the membership rallied around the organization, sponsored several new activities, and helped the KMG management team actually increase membership services, thus enhancing the association's value to its members.