---
title: "3 Lessons: Sound Management"
id: "12295"
type: "post"
slug: "3-lessons-sound-management"
published_at: "2015-12-21T09:57:00+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-03-15T02:50:38+00:00"
url: "https://associationsnow.com/2015/12/21/3-lessons-sound-management/"
markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2015/12/21/3-lessons-sound-management.md"
excerpt: "Lane Velayo, CAE Executive Director Indiana Music Education Association Indianapolis Knock out the ankle biters. We all have minor tasks that seem to get in the way of our more important ones. Leveraging social media tools like Hootsuite or prescheduling..."
taxonomy_category:
  - "Executive Leadership"
taxonomy_post_tag:
  - "ASAEcenter"
  - "CEOs/Executive Management"
  - "Cost Management"
  - "Leadership"
  - "volunteers"
taxonomy_content_format:
  - "Article"
taxonomy_persona:
  - "Association Professionals"
---

[Home](https://associationsnow.com/)
 » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/)
 » 3 Lessons: Sound Management

**Lane Velayo, CAE**  
 Executive Director  
   
 Indiana Music Education Association  
   
 Indianapolis

### Knock out the ankle biters.

We all have minor tasks that seem to get in the way of our more important ones. Leveraging social media tools like Hootsuite or prescheduling mundane emails can free you up to do the higher-level tasks you should be doing. If your “ankle biters” aren’t tech-related, think about a factory day: Gather your team for a one-day retreat focused on knocking out a small list of projects (or one sizable project) that you need to get out of the way. Factory days are great ways to develop content, ensure all eyes are on an upcoming event, or focus on whatever your biggest concern is.

### Get creative.

As the executive director of a small association, I need to get creative to find ways to provide the same things that a larger association can easily pay for. As I listen to my colleagues in other associations or look at something a for-profit has done, I ask myself: What is the basic task they are accomplishing, and how can I do the same thing with my budget?

### Be an educator.

Our volunteers have a wealth of knowledge in their professional areas, but they aren’t association professionals. Take the time to educate them not only on their responsibilities as volunteer leaders but also on the best practices of association management. Remember, you don’t have to be the lone voice on that: There are many resources you can reference when discussing association management topics.

Tags: [#CEOs/Executive Management](https://associationsnow.com/tag/ceos-executive-management/)
 [#Cost Management](https://associationsnow.com/tag/cost-management/)
 [#Leadership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/leadership/)
 [#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

- [VideoInt. Society for the Study of Xenobiotics: ISSX Africa: Transforming Science, Connecting WorldsSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/int-society-for-the-study-of-xenobiotics-issx-africa-transforming-science-connecting-worlds/)
- [VideoSuccess lesson: Know yourself, know your job, think aheadJanuary 3, 2017](https://associationsnow.com/2017/01/03/success-lesson-know-yourself-know-your-job-think-ahead/)
- [VideoSuccess lesson: Understand your roleJanuary 3, 2017](https://associationsnow.com/2017/01/03/success-lesson-understand-your-role/)
- [VideoAssociation for Financial Counseling and Planning EducationSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/association-for-financial-counseling-and-planning-education/)

## 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%2F2015%2F12%2F21%2F3-lessons-sound-management%2F%23comments)
 to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/)
!