--- title: "Lunchtime Links: How Associations Can Use Collaboration in 2013" id: "15308" type: "post" slug: "lunchtime-links-how-associations-can-use-collaboration-in-2013" published_at: "2013-01-11T16:55:03+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-09T19:04:51+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/01/11/lunchtime-links-how-associations-can-use-collaboration-in-2013/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/01/11/lunchtime-links-how-associations-can-use-collaboration-in-2013.md" excerpt: "Why 2013 is the year for collaboration. Plus: Is your association using all four stages of sponsorship at conferences?" taxonomy_category: - "Marketing / Communications" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Board Collaboration" - "Business" - "Social Media" - "volunteers" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Executive Team" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Lunchtime Links: How Associations Can Use Collaboration in 2013 A big buzzword for 2013 you’re most likely hearing in your office is “collaboration.” From collaborative offices to pushing teamwork on new initiatives, collaboration seems to be here to stay. How is your association using collaboration in its day-to-day tasks? One article gives several ideas, from the zany to the tried and true, for effective teamwork in your office. That and more in today’s Lunchtime Links: **All together now:**Are you working together? Are you *really* working together? [Collaboration (opens in a new tab)](http://www.cmswire.com/cms/social-business/2013-collaboration-predictions-video-conferencing-big-data-collaboration-workplace-changes-019090.php) is the word of the year, according to an article from CMS Wire’s Favid Coleman. He pushes videoconferencing on every device, from smartphones to iPads, and urges collaboration on another buzzword of 2013: big data. “With this explosion in large data sets, there are many startups with tools to help you deal with big data often in a visual or graphic format where it is easy to see trends and patterns,” he says. How is your association being collaborative? **Free labor:** Almost every association relies on volunteers. The number of hours a volunteer should spend with an organization [is currently being debated (opens in a new tab)](http://blog.energizeinc.com/blog/debate-continues-should-volunteer-hours-be-capped) on the Energize Blog, with some suggesting that volunteers’ hours should be capped. The blog posts examine how poor management might drive volunteers away and put the onus on organization leaders, not the volunteers, to succeed. What do you think? Does your association ever turn away volunteers? **Put your name on it:** Sponsors are a key component of every conference. But how deep is your relationship with your top providers? Jeff Hurt examines four stages of sponsorship in a [recent blog post (opens in a new tab)](http://jeffhurtblog.com/2013/01/10/time-for-your-conference-sponsorship-grow-up/) , and the depth of each stage may surprise you. The last step: nurturing a brand’s connection with a target market versus splashing a sponsor’s name in front of customers as often as possible. Rethinking sponsor strategy is an important step in furthering worthwhile relationships for the good of your association. **Facebook fail?** It’s one of the pitfalls of social media: Sometimes, people just don’t like you. But [how you deal (opens in a new tab)](http://www.bethkanter.org/negative-facebook/) with the negativity is what matters, according to a recent post on Beth’s Blog. When a user hides or “unlikes” your content, take note of what prompted it. The same way you notice when a particular comment or post gets a lot of engagement, turn around and see what *isn’t* gaining traction. Maybe it’s a change in tone or in content. No matter what the reason, it’s your opportunity to fix it. How have you dealt with negative Facebook feedback? What’s on your reading list today? Let us know. (Jorg Greuel/Digital Vision) [Chloe Thompson](https://associationsnow.com/author/chloe-thompson/) Chloe Thompson is a contributing writer to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/chloe-thompson/) Tags: [#Board Collaboration](https://associationsnow.com/tag/board-collaboration/) [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#Social Media](https://associationsnow.com/tag/social-media/) [#volunteers](https://associationsnow.com/tag/volunteers/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [PodcastSustainable Events: How Associations and DMOs Are Leading the ChargeMarch 31, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/03/31/sustainable-events-how-associations-and-dmos-are-leading-the-charge/) - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: More Than Marketing: The Power of Strategic CommunicationsJuly 30, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/07/30/associations-now-presents-more-than-marketing-the-power-of-strategic-communications/) - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: Why Slower Marketing Can Drive Stronger Member Engagement (Episode 27)June 25, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/06/25/associations-now-presents-why-slower-marketing-can-drive-stronger-member-engagement-episode-27/) - [Video2020 Volunteer Appreciation WeekApril 23, 2020](https://associationsnow.com/2020/04/23/2020-volunteer-appreciation-week/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2013%2F01%2F11%2Flunchtime-links-how-associations-can-use-collaboration-in-2013%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !