--- title: "Thursday Buzz: Steve Jobs Lives On. Here’s How." id: "35261" type: "post" slug: "thursday-buzz-steve-jobs-lives-on-heres-how" published_at: "2016-10-06T23:14:26+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T17:38:12+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/10/06/thursday-buzz-steve-jobs-lives-on-heres-how/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/10/06/thursday-buzz-steve-jobs-lives-on-heres-how.md" excerpt: "Associations can learn from the legacy of Steve Jobs. Plus: How should your association handle data?" taxonomy_category: - "Membership" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Leadership" - "member data" - "Member Engagement" - "Membership" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Executive Team" taxonomy_persona: - "Executive Leadership" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Thursday Buzz: Steve Jobs Lives On. Here’s How. “I want to put a ding in the universe.” This quote from Apple Cofounder and CEO Steve Jobs inspired everyone [from the moment he said it (opens in a new tab)](http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/25/the-job-jobs-did/) . And he doesn’t inspire just executives, managers, designers, and technologists. Jobs’ advice can greatly influence associations as well. Putting a “ding in the universe” for associations is creating new standards, supporting new ideas, and standing out. For the *Socious* blog, writer Christina Green [pulled together (opens in a new tab)](http://blog.socious.com/6-association-management-tips-from-steve-jobs) six leadership and management lessons from the technology icon to honor the fifth anniversary of his death. “A lot of times, people don’t know what they want until you show it to them,” he once said. This rings true for many associations that [are working to present themselves](http://associationsnow.com/2015/04/what-engagement-means-now-for-associations/) as resources in their industries. This could mean they present educational, training, and job opportunities. A lot of work by organizations is based around member recruitment or retention, in [keeping missions](http://associationsnow.com/2016/01/mission-statement-matters/) crystal clear, and making [member onboarding](http://associationsnow.com/2016/09/welcome-role-membership-committee/) an easy process. As Jobs put it, “That’s been one of my mantras—focus and simplicity.” ### All About That Data > Your data is only good if you *use* it and *manage* it. [https://t.co/CkNljJkQsC (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/CkNljJkQsC) > [#assnchat (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/assnchat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > > — Wes Trochlil (@westrochlil) [October 6, 2016 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/westrochlil/status/784019743648813057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **Data is a huge resource—if it is used properly.** Problem is, if you’re collecting the wrong types of data, it doesn’t organize well, or it can’t be used in ways the meet your business goals, you might have a problem. “Only collect data that you will use *and* that you will continue to update over time,” data management pro Wes Trochlil [explains at the Effective Database Management blog (opens in a new tab)](http://effectivedatabase.com/the-data-is-only-good-if-you-use-it-and-manage-it/) . Consider it the sensible standard for data management in associations. **It’s also handy in listening—to your members.** When properly collected and organized, data can help associations see what members need, what they like, and what they dislike. Meanwhile, Alorica’s Pamela McGlone, [writing at CMS Wire (opens in a new tab)](http://www.cmswire.com/customer-experience/how-data-analytics-helps-you-listen-to-your-customers/) , argues that surveys aren’t always enough. She believes, with data analysis, observations should be listened to and responded with action. ### Other Links of Note **What is an event without entertainment?** Pulling it off can be challenging, though. The team at Visit Cincinnati’s *MTG PLNR* blog [shares three creative ways (opens in a new tab)](http://www.cincyusa.com/blog/3-ways-to-bring-entertainment-to-your-attendees) to bring entertainment to your next event. **Let’s bridge social media to real life.** On the *Headlines Partnership Publishing* blog, Kayley Sugars writes about [how to make social media followers feel valued (opens in a new tab)](http://www.headlinespp.uk.com/converting-social-media-followers-into-members/) in order to eventually turn them into association members. (Ben Stanfield/Flickr) [Patrick deHahn](https://associationsnow.com/author/patrick-dehahn/) Patrick deHahn is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/patrick-dehahn/) Tags: [#Leadership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/leadership/) [#member data](https://associationsnow.com/tag/member-data/) [#Member Engagement](https://associationsnow.com/tag/member-engagement/) [#Membership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/membership/) **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 - [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond the Tech Stack: How AI Is Changing the Association PlaybookOctober 29, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/29/associations-now-presents-beyond-the-tech-stack-how-ai-is-changing-the-association-playbook/) - [TemplateMembers onlyMember Onboarding ToolkitNovember 5, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/11/05/member-onboarding-toolkit/) - [ArticleBuilding Member Value Through Impact and SustainabilityMay 28, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/05/28/building-member-value-through-impact-and-sustainability/) - [ArticleStop Guessing, Start Growing: Keys to Unlocking Your DataMay 20, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/05/20/stop-guessing-start-growing-keys-to-unlocking-your-data/) ## 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%2F2016%2F10%2F06%2Fthursday-buzz-steve-jobs-lives-on-heres-how%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !