Two-dimensional thinking by newspapers has put them in a precarious spot. They aren't the first industry to be in this same spot. In fact, they have reported on the many before them. They have in some cases even predicted the situation to come. And yet, they watched smugly by.

One of my very favorite association thinkers, Bruce Butterfield of The Forbes Group, reminds us that our industry - associations - is patterning itself after the newspapers. Maddie Grant, another of my fav thinkers, captured Bruce Butterfield's latest thoughts in a post with the intention of getting us talking. Will talk help?

The debate goes on – on Acronym, in blogs, across phone lines and even across desks. The debate is about strategic planning. I guess we’re largely debating because its more fun that doing a strategic plan.