Through our Society Operating Model, we aim to leverage the connectivity of our global network, prioritize and share resources more efficiently, focus the efforts of both the CFA Society network and CFA Institute, and better meet the areas of greatest potential and greatest need in pursuit of our mission and strategy.
In FY21, we established a Society Operating Model framework designed to optimize the strengths of the global network, to better enable our strategy and mission and serve our members. Over the course of FY22, we refined this vision based on extensive analysis and are presenting an initial framework for ensuring what we are calling a long-term Sustainable Global Network.
We believe that working with societies to create a richer and more consistent experience for members across markets, one not necessarily tied to geography, will benefit the entire ecosystem, and help grow relevance and influence for both CFA Institute and societies. In doing so, we aim to preserve the benefits of volunteer passion and contribution while solving for many of the complexities inherent in our current model. Our proposed framework also aims to leverage opportunities that modern technology advances offer for streamlining our operational support and delivering value to stakeholders.
Keeping in mind our key operating model themes of Impact, Differentiation, and Community, our plan is to:
- Effectively and responsibly allocate resources for today’s environment.
- Catalyze high performance that supports the mutually shared strategy and business goals of CFA Institute and societies.
- Lay the foundations for a growing and connected membership base.
With respect to resource allocation and differentiation, four clear society segments with unique business models, activities, and resource requirements emerged from extensive analysis, which we have identified as follows:
- Local Societies: Represent members in small city, state, and provincial Canadian and US markets with fewer than 300 members; function primarily as local networking groups that also offer Professional Learning
- Member Societies: Represent most societies in the network. Primary focus is on delivering member value; driving engagement and retention; and advocating on behalf of members as opportunities arise to impact local capital markets and the investing public.
- Professional Associations: Large city- or state-based societies and most countries, with wider opportunities to influence and support CFA Institute strategic objectives.
- Global Financial Centers: Critical markets that house the bulk of the investment management industry, directly influence strategic initiatives, and are equipped to drive thought leadership, products, and/or institutional sales. CFA Institute must be successful in these markets.
Successful implementation will require close collaboration with societies and new ways of working, including through technology solutions. Ultimately, we aim to better match resources to impact opportunities and position the network for optimal influence, reach, distribution, innovation, member value, community, reliable market intelligence, and presence.