--- title: "Social Media Roundup: Lessons From a Wooden Spoon" id: "22616" type: "post" slug: "social-media-roundup-lessons-from-a-wooden-spoon" published_at: "2014-04-10T21:00:11+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-09T18:23:47+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2014/04/10/social-media-roundup-lessons-from-a-wooden-spoon/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2014/04/10/social-media-roundup-lessons-from-a-wooden-spoon.md" excerpt: "A marketing executive explains how a wooden spoon represented a lot more to him than a mere kitchen utensil. Also: The problem with commoditization." taxonomy_category: - "Learning" taxonomy_post_tag: - "arts education" - "AssociationsNow" - "E-learning" - "Employee Training" - "Leadership" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "C-Level" - "Executive Team" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" - "Executive Leadership" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Social Media Roundup: Lessons From a Wooden Spoon People tend to put a lot of emotional value into inanimate objects. Not necessarily because of what they are, but because of what they represent. An object can teach us something about ourselves, because in the right hands it shows a lot of potential. An example of one exec’s experience with a wooden spoon in today’s Social Media Roundup: ### Get the Sauce Just Right > What did Incline President [@MarcCousineau2 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/MarcCousineau2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > learn about making goals from a wooden spoon? Take a look [http://t.co/6JQMCHsBoM (opens in a new tab)](http://t.co/6JQMCHsBoM) > [#assnchat (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/assnchat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > > — Incline Marketing (@InclineMktg) [April 10, 2014 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/InclineMktg/status/454286643856687105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) ***“[T]he spoon was holding forth delicious tomato sauce** and not the wrath of a parent scorned.”* Incline Marketing’s Marc Cousineau [learned a lot from that spoon (opens in a new tab)](http://www.careeroptionsmagazine.com/what-cooking-taught-me-about-achieving-goals/) . See, Cousineau watched some great meals being made with it, and those meals taught him about spending time doing things the right way, breaking down tasks, considering one’s goals, and getting input from others. Regarding that last item, he wrote this in *Career Options* magazine: “My mother would always let me do a taste test and ask my opinion about the sauce. Asking others for feedback, constructive criticism, or ideas will help you overcome obstacles and view decisions from a different perspective, not to mention helping you learn how to communicate better.” Sounds like a pretty tasty lesson. *(ht @[InclineMktg (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/InclineMktg/status/454286643856687105) )* ### When Features Become Commodities https://twitter.com/WebLink/status/454261887975575552 **The educational experiences that associations offer** are important to members, as is their breadth of content. But associations are running into a problem, Jeff Hurt says: As technology evolves and content providers proliferate, members now expect content to be available for free, and it’s becoming less of a selling point for organizations. “The past 10 years have not been kind to [associations’] model of monetization of informing and educating [their] customers,” he writes on Velvet Chainsaw’s *Midcourse Corrections*. “Content and learning opportunities have become more open. Industry resources are readily available, often free, from universities, industry vendors and consultants, and media conglomerates.” So what to do? Hurt argues that as organizations evolve, innovative learning design and personalized experiences will become more important than ever. [Read more of his thoughts over this way (opens in a new tab)](http://jeffhurtblog.com/2014/04/09/will-associations-monetize-future/) . *(ht @[WebLink (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/WebLink/status/454261887975575552) )* (iStock/Thinkstock) [Ernie Smith](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Ernie Smith is a former senior editor for Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Tags: [#arts education](https://associationsnow.com/tag/arts-education/) [#E-learning](https://associationsnow.com/tag/e-learning/) [#Employee Training](https://associationsnow.com/tag/employee-training/) [#Leadership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/leadership/) **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 - [VideoWelcome to ASAE AcademyMarch 19, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/03/19/welcome-to-asae-academy/) - [VideoAmerican College of Emergency Physicians: ACEP Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation ProgramSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/american-college-of-emergency-physicians-acep-geriatric-emergency-department-accreditation-program/) - [PodcastWhy Associations Must Rethink Learning and Community TogetherMarch 26, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/03/26/why-associations-must-rethink-learning-and-community-together/) - [ArticleHow Trade Associations Strengthen the Workforce with Training InitiativesSeptember 18, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/09/18/how-trade-associations-strengthen-the-workforce-with-training-initiatives/) ## 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%2F2014%2F04%2F10%2Fsocial-media-roundup-lessons-from-a-wooden-spoon%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !