Strategic Doing, Not Just Strategic Planning

By Mary Ellen Bates

A recent conversation on the AIIP-L discussion list about the importance of setting aside time for business planning moved into a discussion of time-management techniques that AIIP members have found helpful for blocking out strategic planning time. Like many others, I set aside one full day a year—or every six months, if I am pivoting my business—to assess where I am, where my best clients are, what I’m enjoying the most, and what I want more of over the next year. After reflection, I come up with the measurable goals that I will achieve if I put my strategic plan in place.

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The Digital Shift: Becoming the Modern Information Professional

By Janel Kinlaw

Each year at the Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP) Conference, the Past Presidents fund the Roger Summit Lecture Award to bring in an inspiring and stimulating speaker. 

In April 2023, the Lecture was delivered by Tony Zanders, CEO of Skilltype, Inc.

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Finding the ROI in Leadership Roles: The Bigger You Go, The Bigger the Rewards Are

By Denise Carter

It was a privilege to serve as AIIP president for the recently concluded 2022-2023 term. I am delighted to remain on the Board as immediate past president, where I get to continue working with a great team of infopreneurs.  

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Inspiration-gazing, Fresh Thinking, and Data Visualization

By Chris Cochran

The ability to tell stories using data in a visually compelling way can be a strategic and effective component of the infopreneur toolbox – we want to help our clients understand the stories data tell. Looking at data visualization differently, and growing that part of the toolbox, was the focus of a thought-provoking keynote presentation at the AIIP23 Conference in April by data visualization expert Andy Kirk.

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AIIP Honors Members at 2023 Awards Ceremony

By Denise Carter and Chris Cochran

(Editor’s note: In the coming weeks and months, the AIIP Connections Blog will present highlights from the annual conference held in April 2023.)

The Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP) announced its award recipients on April 29th during the recently concluded annual conference (AIIP 2023), a hybrid event featuring in-person programs in Milwaukee as well as virtual events. AIIP Immediate Past President Denise Carter presented awards to AIIP members who embrace and promote the values of the association. AIIP thanks Awards Nominating Committee members Arthur Weiss and Michele Bate for guiding the process this year. More information about each award is available on the AIIP Awards page.

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We are AIIP: I’m a Competitive Intelligence Consultant

By Tanya Humphrey

In your bio, you describe yourself as a Competitive Intelligence Consultant. Briefly, what is competitive intelligence (CI), and what does a CI consultant do?

CI involves gathering and analyzing information about a company’s industry, business environment, competitors, and products, with the goal of having the findings direct its future strategy. A CI consultant supports clients with CI research and advisory services. I answer questions about a company’s external environment and likely future actions; typical examples include:

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