Gardian of the Month: Jim Thompson

Q & A with Jim Thompson, vice president of association management and strategic development for Capitol Hill Management Services Inc. He is also a moderator for Healthy by Association.

Q: Learn: What’s one subject you’d like to learn more about?
A: Playing music. I recently started playing bass guitar and have always wanted to play a six-string guitar. I recently acquired a nice guitar – free – and I want to learn to play it SO badly.

Q: Network: Tell us about one of your favorite personal or professional networks. What makes it special?
A: One of my favorite networks would have to be the American Society of Association Executives. Anytime I am at one of the events, I always get so charged-up about my profession and I am reminded why I do what I do. Additionally, there are so many great people who I get to see year after year and many more that I continue to meet.

Q: Transfer: Think about a topic in which you feel you’re quite knowledgeable. How would you use this knowledge to better your industry?
A: I would say the idea of creating a member experience in your organization. I am so passionate about the idea that it’s not enough these days to provide customer service. You have to go above and beyond and provide an experience. It would help so many folks in member/customer retention. 

Q: Please share with us a resource you can’t live without.
A: It may sound cheesy, but I am not sure I could live without Facebook. It’s the place where I get so much knowledge about my industry and stay connected with my peers. It’s a place where I hold myself accountable to my goals. It’s where I stay connected with friends and family. It’s a place where I promote the organizations I work for and it’s a place where I get a lot of my news. It’s basically a community that’s been built for and by me. You just have to use it in small doses.

Q: If you could only eat one food for a week, which would you choose and why?
A: I would have to say Thai food. I am so addicted to the stuff. There aren’t many dishes that I don’t like.