ODNE Membership: A 100X Return on Investment
ODNE Membership: A 100X Return on Investment
Mark Emdin
Joining the Organisation Development Network Europe (ODNE) has been one of the most rewarding investments I’ve made—not just financially but also contributing to my learning, expanding my capability and ability to have greater impact with my clients. As the saying goes, investing in yourself is the best investment you can make.
Since joining the ODNE board, I’ve often been asked, “Is the membership fee of £150 / €175 worth it?” My answer? Absolutely. Below I share three personal examples.
A Gateway to Learning and Growth
Take, for example, a recent webinar by Jesse Segers on "Leading from the Middle". Our discussion reframed my perspective on middle managers and the critical role they play in organisation change and transformation. Whilst working in corporate I often heard this cadre referred to as blockers in corporate structures. Inspired by the session, I read Strategic Middle Managers by Floyd and Wooldridge (1996).
Just weeks later, I shared these insights with an executive HR leader struggling to engage senior middle managers. That conversation led to us co-creating a proposal for the executive team on how to activate these leaders as strategic drivers of transformation. The session, the book, and ODNE made that conversation possible.
Professional Connections That Deliver
Professional membership isn’t just about resources—it’s about relationships. At the 2022 European Organisation Design Forum conference, I met Sophy Pern from Metalogue. What started as a networking conversation turned into a partnership. Over two years, we stayed in touch, collaborated on projects, Metalogue joined ODNE as a partner, and now Sophy and I are delivering complex organisation design work together.
These aren’t just professional connections—they’re opportunities that create real impact for clients.
A Community That Expands Your Toolkit
ODNE’s greatest strength is its community of diverse and gracious practitioners. At an ODNE conference, I spoke with Dave Yates about collaboration—a topic that comes up often in my conversations with senior leaders, and he’s got tons of experience to share. Over drinks, he introduced me to Himmelman’s Collaboration Continuum, which I now use extensively to help leaders and teams clarify what collaboration really means for them and what they commit to with respect to ways of working.
These concepts have deepened my impact with clients and strengthened my credibility as a practitioner.
Why Wait? Join Today
In every instance, my ODNE membership has helped me gain new insights, build partnerships, and deliver greater value to my clients. And all for less than the cost of a dinner for two.
Are you ready to take your practice to the next level? Sign up for ODNE membership today!
Already a member? I’d love to hear from you—how has membership in professional networks enriched your career? Share your thoughts in the comments below or reach out directly.