In order for clubs to maintain a high level of performance and overall success, they must adopt best practices that promote continuous improvement and accountability.
According to Tom Wallace, partner with the consulting firm KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE, there are several essential practices that can ensure clubs stay effective and on the path to long-term success. Those practices include:
› Holding a best practices retreat. This retreat is an excellent opportunity for club executives to reflect on goals and progress, evaluate performance and plan for the future.
› Board/committee member assessments. Screening potential board and committee members for behavioral traits ensures those in leadership roles align with the club values and culture. This creates a cohesive and effective governance team.
› Mandatory annual board/committee orientation. This ensures new board and committee members understand their roles, responsibility and the club’s strategic goals.
› New member orientation. Welcoming new members with a comprehensive orientation helps to smoothly integrate them into the club. It ensures they understand the club’s culture, values and expectations as it fosters a sense of belonging and engagement from the onset.
› New GM/COO onboarding. A structured and organized onboarding process for a new GM/COO ensures he/she will be well prepared to lead the club quickly. Onboarding should include familiarization with the club operations, culture and strategic goals.
› Board and committee 360-degree reviews. Performing 360-degree reviews for board and committee members provides comprehensive feedback from multiple perspectives which identifies areas for improvement and fosters a culture of continuous learning and development.
› GM & board member coaching. Providing professional coaching for the GM/COO and board members can enhance leadership skills and governance effectiveness, while providing personalized guidance and support to address specific challenges and goals.
› Volunteer leadership development. Developing volunteer leaders is crucial for long-term club success. It is essential to provide training and development opportunities for volunteer leaders as it promotes a steady pipeline of capable and committed leaders for the future.
“Implementing these best practices ensures that club governance remains effective and the club continues to thrive,” explained Wallace. “By committing to regular evaluations, orientation and onboarding programs and leadership development, clubs can achieve their strategic goals and provide exceptional value and experiences for their members.”
Notable – September 2024
Tom Wallace is a partner with KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE, a consulting firm providing executive search, strategic planning and data analysis services to the private club and hospitality industries. Tom can be contacted at tom@kkandw.com.