Tools to Enhance Your Remote Work Objectives
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Even as some states are easing stay-at-home restrictions, the future is uncertain and most associations are still operating remotely. Due to the way you set up your remote teams, you may feel like you scrambled to get up and running. Given the rush, you may not have had time to think strategically about how to virtually work more collaboratively and efficiently today and into the future. We want to help you look deeper and identify tools to facilitate your long-term objectives.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Primary Objective During a recent webinar, we were able to poll attendees and ask them: What is your primary objective of remote collaboration? With over 200 people responding, the majority said it was for “Staff to work effectively remotely.” Given that this question was asked just as stay-at-home directives were being administered, that response is not surprising. Most managers were thinking in that in the short term that they simply wanted their staff to be able to work at all! The more interesting objective was the one that ranked the next highest in the poll, “Manage Work Projects.” While this is a very broad category, the idea of how to better manage your work in a collaborative way remotely is the prevailing goal of that statement. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Association Management If there is one lesson many associations recently learned the hard way, it’s the undisputed benefit of hosting your AMS in the cloud. Many associations operating on-premises association management software (AMS) solutions were blindsided by configuring and then granting VPN access remotely to ALL their employees. A consultant told us about one of their association clients. Sadly, as the directives became mandatory, they lacked the time and resources to get up and running remotely because they could not transfer their on-premises solutions online. They have been unable to operate AT ALL for six weeks![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_column_text]A solution that operates in the cloud allows your team to seamlessly work on their projects from anywhere. Azure Cloud based AMS solutions (such as Altai Systems which is built within Microsoft Dynamics) offer, easy reporting, automatic upgrades, GDPR/privacy compliance, and an overall lower total cost of ownership.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Virtual Teams Management The number one virtual collaboration app for business is Microsoft Teams. By the end of last month, Microsoft reported 44 million users, up from 20 million in November. A part of the Microsoft Office 365 subscription, Teams adoption has grown so quickly because of its ease of use and robust communication and collaboration features. Some of its top features include: Real-time messaging Video conferencing Audio calls Screen sharing Document sharing across all Microsoft platforms and housed in SharePoint Microsoft Immersive Reader – it speaks the text on a channel aloud Ability to filter activity with @ mentions Ability to bookmark specific content Inline message translation – allows users to chat in their native language and then translate messages into their users’ language Automatic transcripts on cloud recordings AND MORE! Whether your project entails creating course content or planning your annual meeting, Microsoft Teams is versatile enough to serve all your collaboration needs. (Fun fact: one association we interviewed said that their staff no longer uses walkie-talkies onsite to communicate with each other at their trade shows. Instead, everyone has the Microsoft Teams app on their cell phones and communicates via the app.)[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you want to view Teams in action and learn more, you are welcome to view our recent Microsoft Teams webinars held jointly with ASAE. We are offering each of them as a Webinar on Demand for anyone interested. (Note: If your organization is using Microsoft Office, but can’t access Teams, ask your IT administrator for access.)[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Summary Many organizational experts are speculating that after the Coronavirus emergency is over, organizations will continue to embrace working virtually. According to Greg Caplan, CEO of the company Remote Year, “Coronavirus is going to expose more people to working remotely than ever. Most people will see that it is very possible and start to grow accustomed to the benefits of [remote work], including autonomy, no commute, and less distractions than open offices. Companies that don’t allow remote work already are going to have to continue supporting it going forward, now that they have proven to themselves that it works.” As the leader of a remote company, Altai Co-Founder Mike Frye also believes that “not being bound to a specific geography has enabled us to hire the best people no matter where they live.” No matter where you are located, contact us to see how we can help your organization become more efficient virtually, now and into the future. We can show you how to work smarter, not harder.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Enhance Your Members’ User Experience (UX)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]No matter the mission, size, or benefits, Membership associations all have one thing in common: their members are their customers. Delivering top customer service is paramount to recruiting and retaining those members. Typical examples of customer service delivery outlets include face-to-face meetings and telephone calls, but one place that can get overlooked is your website. Your User experience (UX) design impacts how your association showcases its products and services. Is your association doing enough through your UX to provide the customer service you aspire your members to have?[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] What is UX? The Interaction Design Foundation states that UX design “is the process design teams use to create products that provide meaningful and relevant experiences to users [including] ….integrating the product, including aspects of branding, design, usability and function.” Chances are likely that your website is the first-place members and prospects go for information pertaining to advocacy, products, events, research, etc. but how easy is it for them to get their needs met quickly and easily?[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text] Assessing Your Current Membership UX A simple way to assess your current UX is to take a step back and ask someone outside your team (preferably outside your organization) to pretend to be a member and track their journey from first visit to last click on the site. Give them specific tasks to do on your site. After completion of this exercise, ask them questions related to the tasks they completed such as: How easy was it to find the information for which you were searching? How easy was it to sign up and/or renew your membership? Did you have to go through multiple sites or pages to get to the event you for which you were trying to register? Could you register multiple people for the event? How easy was it to purchase a book/report/survey? Could you easily make a donation? Today’s members, particularly those considered a part of Generation Z, want products and solutions that they can access in the quickest most direct ways. They often lack the patience to continually scroll down a screen or wait for a form to load. They want their technology to serve their core needs quickly and easily. Does your current UI do that?[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text] The Solution In our quest to improve our clients’ overall web capabilities, we have devised a way to give them the tools to maximize their members’ UX. Our Web Portal is a powerful member management tool that can be dropped into any CMS. We use visual plugins that allow website administrators to quickly add, remove, or update any association management module with simple clicks from a drop-down menu. You can set up any event, choose from a variety of user interfaces (UIs), and manage it all through the portal. Our web portal allows for members to self-serve a variety of functions including sign ups and renewals. It also allows chapter members to manage themselves thereby streamlining chapter management. For users of WordPress, we have integrated with its out-of-the-box Gutenberg Editor. We offer you a native WordPress plugin that allows our web portal to be the most user friendly on the market. This means that you can visually move the web parts around on a specific page to ensure that your content is next the commerce that compliments it.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Optimal UX We make it easy for your members access all their needs in one place. Your organization provides the branding and parameters for the overall design, and we bring that together with usability and function. If that doesn’t define the epitome of achieving and optimal member UX, then I don’t know what does. If you are interested in learning more about Altai’s Web Portal and how you can maximize your members’ UX, contact us at sales@altaisystems.com. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Top 5 Reasons to Consider moving from an AMS to an Association Business Platform
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It’s 2020 – in with the new and out with the old AMS! Or is it really time to let it go? As we explored in our blog The Evolution of AMS, CRM, and the Business Platform, progressive organizations need more than just a traditional AMS (association manage software) solution. They need a full Association Business Platform (ABP). It needs to go beyond capturing membership and event data. It needs to have tools like business intelligence (BI) and artificial intelligence (AI) to predict member behavior, increase engagement, and so much more! As we begin this new decade, I encourage you to take a few minutes and think about your current AMS system. See if it is up to the task of keeping up with your evolving needs.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] #5: My Data is in Disarray Do you have multiple systems, but none of them are “talking” with one another? If so, that’s a problem. Your systems should seamlessly integrate and allow information to easily flow from one department to another. Likewise, are you are using an AMS “workaround” of an Excel spreadsheet (or multiple spreadsheets)? If so, then why have that AMS at all? Paying to update systems that are not working is a waste of money. It also wastes your team’s time and contributes to data that is most likely inconsistent, error ridden, and disjointed throughout your organization. How can you accurately do any strategic planning, if your information is not able to be accessed from one central location? [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] #4: I Need Developer Help Are you spending a fortune for developers? Do you want to bring on a new line of business, but you can’t? Is your organization’s current system designed to be centrally run by your IT department? Then you probably need a developer’s help for simple technical tasks. For example, if you want to start a new business process, you can’t simply download an app to make it happen. You need a developer to either custom create that process or somehow configure it for you. Today’s ABP’s allow for an array of self-service options both operationally and externally. ABP’s use tools like bots to answer members’ questions and free up staff time. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] #3: I Can’t Do My Own Reporting! The #1 thing all associations need to do is reporting, yet if you can’t simply create your own report, you might want to consider a new system. Every board needs to know what their membership numbers look like (i.e. How many members do you have? Are there more or less from last year? Etc.) Yet, time and time again we talk to Membership Directors who can’t access that information themselves. It’s 2020, DOS is out, and AI is in! Being able to create your own reports is more than just a matter of #FOMO, it should be an expected right of all association professionals.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] #2: My Current AMS Needs to Be Upgraded… …but I’ll never do it because it’s such a horrific proce$$! If even with the upgrade most of your issues will not be resolved, then perhaps the problem lies with the system itself. Continually patching holes in systems that are not serving your overall needs may seem like a good idea in the short term. Unfortunately, doing so has significant long-term negative effects: Your team will lose time they could have otherwise been using to improve engagement and other processes You will always be playing catch up instead using technology to help you get ahead You will pay MORE over the long term than you would switching to something more efficient [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] #1: My AMS Provider Has Stopped Issuing Updates If your current AMS provider has stopped issuing updates to the system, consider that a MAJOR “red flag.” It means its parent company will no longer support the product. Look at your current system; does the company behind it have a product road-map planned? Are the updates and fixes you formerly received regularly, coming less and less often? Often old legacy systems have been purchased by larger companies or venture capital firms. When that happens, they will continue to update and support their product for a designated amount of time and then phase out issuing updates. Once they stop updating, next they stop offering support, and then you are stuck with what has become an antiquated system. Don’t wait until the support stops to start looking for something new! Start looking while you still have a working system in place before all its functioning becomes out of date, and there will be no one available to help you.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Summary If any of these five statements apply to you, we recommend you consider looking into a new Platform. A comprehensive ABP helps associations keep pace with the dizzying array of new apps and social media platforms that your association’s members are using daily. It is also an integral piece to helping your organization realize a digital transformation. Altai’s Association Management is built with Microsoft Dynamics. We offer the most integrative and progressive platform on the market for associations. Contact us to learn how we can take your system to new heights in this new decade and beyond.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Simplification is the Path to Harmony in 2020
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As 2019 begins to wind down, I am reflecting on what I learned this past year. The main concept I keep returning to is a message I learned attending my first .OrgCommunity Solutions Day: “Keep it Simple.” [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] You Can’t Be Everything to All Your Members Garth Jordan, Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Vice President of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), gave a fantastic presentation called “Start with Simple.” (If you have the opportunity to check out this presentation in its entirety, I highly recommend you do.) He challenged us to keep our priorities simple and focused. Associations can’t and shouldn’t try to be everything to every member. Prioritize what is important to your Association and your mission. Re-examine your mission statement. Examine your data and remove the programs, publications, or events that are not in-line with your mission. Simplify your member benefits. The more you get in-touch with your core beliefs and offerings, you will marvel at how much more engaged your members will become. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Look Back to See the Future This sounds great, but as we know, getting back to basics and stripping down excess information is much easier said, than done. I, personally, have a hard time peeling back the all the data I’ve collected over the years to simplify goals in my own life. It was much easier when I was a kid. As children we have less experiences, and we focus on the immediate. Prioritizing was simpler then. As with children, associations grown and mature. With that growth comes added information and viewpoints that can complicate an organization’s quest to fulfill its mission. To show that simplification is possible for any organization, Garth gave several examples of various sized organizations, including his own, simplifying their processes, offerings, and goals. Internally, he analyzed data, and he looked at trends. He realized there was a need for change at HFMA. Things were too complicated. His goal was for HFMA to become the Netflix of associations and simplify their member benefits/services. It worked for HFMA. They simplified, prioritized, and increased member satisfaction and renewal. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Digital Transformation Helps in Simplification Over this past year I have seen presentations on cultural change, harnessing collaborative knowledge of virtual events, taming the information jungle, business intelligence, and how data can be transformative. As I sit back now and reflect, each one of those presentations cited tools or processes that contribute to an organization’s simplification transformation. At Altai we have been speaking about and helping our customers go through Digital Transformations each time we take them off a legacy system. There is a trend in the Association industry to leverage “platforms of technology” to support growth and digitally transform. After reflecting more about the idea of simplification, I realize that I need to ask new clients: Are we helping your association simplify? Are you looking to simplify your data, processes, and operations? Or Are you merely replacing your old technology with new technology?” Our most strategic customers are the ones that ignore the “this is the way we have always done it” mentality and have challenged the status quo. They wanted to Change their mindset Simplify their processes Put the focus back on their members By implementing a fully realized Platform, they simplified the flow of data throughout their entire organization. They have been able to re-focus on their mission and better serve their members. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Final Thoughts Full disclosure: I went through my own process of simplifying this blog. I wrote several iterations and kept changing my messaging along the way. I wanted to say so much, but I finally realized I can say more with less. Simplify and Focus your goals for 2020. You won’t be sorry. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Gary Francart, Altai’s Vice President of Sales, authored this article. To contact Gary and discuss the topics presented or learn more about how Altai can help you realize your own Digital Transformation, contact him at sales@altaisystems.com. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row]
GUEST BLOG: Life After Launch
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] When launching a new AMS platform, people often plan for the “go-live” and less so for the daily use, new integrations, and ongoing management that the system will require. As a companion to our previous joint webinar, Life After Launch, Rebecca Achurch of Achurch Consulting breaks apart the first 12+ months into manageable pieces so that you know what to expect when your new system goes live. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]0-3 Months The first three months are the craziest. Time will fly by, and staff will be both excited and terrified to use the new system. The primary focus in the first three months is: Ensure the system is stable The users are supported That you haven’t created “bad” (i.e. redundant, unnecessary, etc.) data Here are a few things to keep in mind during this time frame: Everything is brand new and everyone is learning, so except a few hiccups. Strive to make as few changes as possible – Only fix critical items, DO NOT add new features or functions. Keep your project launch team together as you continue to work on implementing your new system. Keep operations as smooth as possible by keeping your staff and SOPs updated as you transition to a new support team. Get engaged with your new software user community for tips and for building your own support network. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] 3-6 Months During this time period as staff begins to settle in, it’s a good time to explore some small process improvements. It’s also a great time to make sure users are developing good new habits vs. bad ones. The following are outcomes and functions that take place during this phase: Take a deep dive through your data to understand how your users are using the system. A new eagerness to try new functions and features arises from departments that are feeling more comfortable with the system. Retrain users on existing functionality if there are gaps where users are not using your system as intended. Functions that you needed to omit from the get-go have now been realized. Have a process in place to prioritize which elements you want to tackle first. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] 6-12 Months After about six months using a new system, you will begin to realize some operating efficiencies. Take time to celebrate! It may be tempting at this point to dissolve the core implementation team but resist that urge. Instead focus on sharing successes and lessons learned within the team. Users are now able to leverage the new system. Old ways of thinking are gone, new ways of thinking have taken root and business processes are largely back to normal. This is the time to start thinking about what comes next, and why it’s important to continue your budget through 12+ months. New integrations and functions can continue to build on your existing system. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] 12+ Months Now that you’ve completed a full business cycle, it’s time to start thinking about your first upgrade! Take time to review the SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and begin planning with the team. Systems should be in place that allow your AMS to function as a program rather than a project. Divide the time spent on your system across: Upgrades (which should ideally be automatic) and supports Questions and small projects Projects and advancements Most resources will go towards essential activities and small operational enhancements. Make sure to preserve time and allow for a budget to tackle strategic organizational initiatives and transformational changes. After launching your new AMS, it’s most important to remember that continuous improvement and investment is needed to fully utilize the system. A new car will only continue to run smoothly if it receives continual maintenance, like regular oil changes. Your AMS program is the same way. After investing your time and money, don’t let your progress lapse by forgetting that this is an ongoing program. With deep focus at the beginning of your new AMS journey, and exploration and growth at the end, your launch will be successful. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Rebecca Achurch is the founder and inspiration behind Achurch Consulting. She takes the lead with clients on the implementation of complex IT solutions. Rebecca aligns the needs of clients’ business and staff with the right technology and processes to support it. If you would like to contact Rebecca, click please click Achurch Consulting for more information. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you are interested in viewing a recording of the Life After Launch webinar in its entirety, please complete the form below and a link to the recording will be emailed to you. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Being “SMART” About Choosing Your AMS
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A few years ago, the American Nurses Association went through a major shift in their membership structure that significantly reduced the number of their members. At ASAE Annual they discussed their process of strategically gaining back members with the help of a marketing consultant. In addition to the amount of research they compiled examining their members’ preferences and behaviors, they used SMART planning to continually improve their marketing and engagement goals. We think that same methodology can be applied to help you consider different CRM vendors to better meet your technology needs.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] How to Be SMART SMART is an acronym for a goal setting guide whose criteria are attributed to Peter Drucker’s Management by Objectives concept. You make sure that your goals are clear and reachable by using the following: Specific (simple, significant) Measurable (meaningful, trackable) Achievable (attainable) Relevant (reasonable, realistic) Time bound (timely, time-sensitive) Consider the overall goal you have in mind. For the purposes of this article, the overall project goal will be: Find an integrated software platform that reaches all my association business processes. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text] Let’s Get Specific When identifying this Goal, you should answer the following questions: [supsystic-tables id=5] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text] Taking Measurements [supsystic-tables id=6][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text] Achieving the Seemingly Impossible [supsystic-tables id=7][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text] Relevant for Today [supsystic-tables id=8][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text] Time is of the Essence [supsystic-tables id=9][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text] Summary Once you have completed the questions in the presented tables, review everything you wrote and ask yourself: What have the answers to the questions in the SMART goals revealed? Do my SMART goals still align with my overall goal? Do I need to write a new overall goal? Being “SMART” about how you approach your technology in the beginning will help you to have an easier path toward helping your organization successfully reach a digital transformation in the end …and beyond. Altai offers automatic upgrades, easy reporting, and seamless integration with everything on the largest most robust and easy to use Association Business Platform. If you are interested in learning more, contact sales@altaisystems.com or join us for a no obligation high level demo. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Understanding and Using Engagement Scoring
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]At ASAE Annual, there was a very informative session called “Finding Highly-Engaged Members Through Engagement Scoring.” It outlined goals and initiates to engage members. It also identified a scoring model designed to help organizations better quantify engagement. There is no denying that engagement scoring can significantly improve your member engagement initiatives. So the question becomes: what is stopping you from using it?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Getting Back to Basics Engagement Scoring allows you to quantifiably measure how active (or engaged) a member (or non-member) is with your organization. You can describe engagement in the following ways: Opening an email sent from your organization Clicking through an email sent from your organization Tagging your organization in a social media post Registering for one of your educational offerings Attending one of your events Purchasing a book published by your organization Volunteering to assist with an event And many more! [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It is up to your organization to define what engagement with your organization entails. Once you outline the various methods of engagement, you then assign a number (or score) that weighs the strength of that interaction. Your scoring should not only include numbers that increase as your member expands his/her interactions but should also allow for subtracting from that score as well. For example, if a member withdraws from a committee or cancels her registration from a meeting, she should have points subtracted from her score to show her decrease in engagement.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Applying the Score Engagement Scoring can help your organization identify the most – least engaged individuals in your organization. By examining those numbers, you can establish a rating system that helps your leadership plan on where and how to focus your retention and recruiting efforts. For example, you can focus on weaker subsets of your membership and decide to initiate a project to poll them and do a deep dive into why they are not more engaged.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Accurate Scoring Requires Up-to-Date Technology Today, most Association Management Software (AMS) systems have the capability of implementing engagement scoring in your organization. (Altai Systems was a forerunner of this initiative!) That said, given how your members interact with your association, your AMS may not be able to extract the engagement data you hope to measure. Legacy systems are frequently slow to update and cripple organizations with complicated upgrades and outdated integrations. For example, you may want to score members who Tweet hashtags related to your event and tag your organization in the Tweet. If you are on an outdated AMS, that engagement may not be able to be measured. This will leave you with incomplete data. You also will not know whether or not your social media initiatives are resonating with your members.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Cloud Based Applications to the Rescue There is a way to ensure your AMS will always be ready to further your engagement goals. The key is to have your AMS on a Cloud based CRM like Microsoft Dynamics. (Shameless plug: Altai Systems is built within Dynamics). Cloud based association management enables you to always be connected to the latest and greatest methods of technological engagement. Your team will have the creative freedom to explore a variety of membership initiatives without worrying that they won’t have the ability to implement their ideas. Having the right technology is crucial in securing success for your engagement scoring goals. .[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Contact sales@altaisytems.com to learn more about how Altai has successfully implemented Engagement Scoring for our clients and can do the same for you.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Increasing Your Members’ Engagement Journey
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Increasing Membership engagement is at the forefront of every association’s strategic plan. The only way to increase your members’ engagement is to increase valuable communication. It needs to go from member to member, from member to organization, and from the organization to its membership. It is your job as a thought leader to put the best practices of your organization into the hands of your members. To do that, you need to re-think how you interact with your members. You need to do more than push out information. You need to also utilize the available tools to listen to what they are saying and how they are saying it.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Don’t Just Talk, Listen One of the top methods of encouraging members to collaborate is through the use of a community platform. Community platforms are interactive and allow members to talk to one another. While they are collaborating, you can listen to those conversations. You can learn from those conversations and use what was learned to boost member support, deliver a better member experience and create your own organizational “Book of Knowledge” for best practices. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Personalized Interactions Even with a community platform, a large challenge for member-based organizations is the ability to drive personalized and consistent messaging. You want to find new ways to understand your members, acquire more members, and increase retention, therefore understanding your organization’s demographics and how data is consumed are important factors to consider. Generationally speaking, the youngest generation, Generation Z, has little patience for technology slowdowns and glitches. They have extremely high expectations of technology – it better be easy, and it better work. This is where social media monitoring tools can be extremely useful. These tools can track conversations, sentiment, events, etc. quicker across multiple social media channels. You can see all the information you are looking for succinctly and easily. You also have the ability to respond immediately if issues arise. With social media monitoring, you can be more responsive to your members in the virtual platforms they use daily and increase your interactions with them more than ever before. Providing members with a tailored experience through personalized interactions and engagement is one of the hallmarks of increasing engagement through Digital Transformation. It uses data and insights to trigger the right conversations at the right time to drive consistent and personalized messaging. This helps organizations understand their current members, find or identify new members and retain existing relationships.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Anticipate Your Members’ Needs Tools such as Microsoft’s new Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Dynamics 365/CRM, will help you be proactive and determine what your member needs before they even know they need it. Through AI, virtual agents analyze conversations and make recommendations to staff based on the data learned, thereby providing them with informed guidance that helps you anticipate your members’ needs. You, the association, can know your member better than you ever have in the past and provide direct and specific meaningful content thus driving better engagement. Engagement strength is measured in member acquisitions and loyalty using a smart platform that enables personalized experiences. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Benefits of Member Engagement The most significant benefit of engaging your current members is a higher rate of renewal. You can measure engagement strength by using a smart platform that enables personalized experiences. Use data insights to personalize your member’s interactions. You will receive a 360-degree view of your members, their relationships, and their interactions by providing a single view of a member’s activity. Use intelligent, modern Cloud applications to increase your members’ loyalty and acquire new members. Attract new members with a redesigned experience using state-of-the-art social media marketing to engage members within their personal networks. Retain your members with an innovative service experience and gain that holistic view. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Summary If you are interested in learning how Altai can help you better engage with your members, contact us at sales@altaisystems.com.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Creating a Successful Digital Project Plan
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Successful Association leaders are those who think strategically. If you are a leader whose organization is considering a major digital change, careful planning is necessary to ensure success. Your plan needs to incorporate vision, insight, reality, and your constituents. The following six steps can help you navigate your next digital project from planning through to completion.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Step 1: Planning Your plan needs to incorporate the following: Executive Overview – describe the nature of the digital project, the approach, and the long-term commitment to change. You need to give the management team an accurate estimation of the time it should take to complete the technology project. Break it down into small pieces. Pick the simplest parts first, so you can show some quick results and then a complex piece to pave the way for the other pieces. For each Digital project create: A problem statement Objectives that are both easily achievable and also more complicated in nature A sound technical architecture base The benefit to the member, staff, etc. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Step 2: Lay a Solid Foundation To build a castle you need a great foundation. In Italy, the buildings that are 1-2 thousand years old sit on foundations that were built over 50-year periods. You don’t have 50 years, but you do need a good technical platform on which to build your foundation. Consider a business platform that has all/most of the necessary pieces pre-built so that you don’t need to keep re-imagining the digital journey in the subsequent years. We believe the best is the Microsoft Business Platform for Associations. With a billion-dollar investment and the ability to support the largest organizations in the world, we believe this platform will give you the solid backing to grow and adapt that you need, particularly if you want to undergo a Digital Transformation. Microsoft walks the talk when it comes to Digital Transformation. Their CEO, Satya Nadella, has transformed Microsoft from a product-based company to a platform which transformed them from a $350 billion company to a $780 billion company in 4 years. The new Microsoft is really 100% different from the Microsoft we have known for the last 25 years. The business platform division is growing between 40%-75% per year. The Microsoft platform is both the largest and most affordable business platform on the market. What they are doing is amazing and you will want to start exploring how vast and easy it is.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Step 3: Protect the House Make sure your current revenue streams, membership models, non-dues revenue, event management, donations, etc. are integrated into your foundational platform. The automation of these are critical for your existence. No dues, no event, no you.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Step 4: Capture Digital Signals and Journeys Today – Analyze Them Tomorrow From the first-time your members visit your website through the last time they renewed, attended a conference, or commented on your community site, they left a digital signature and a trail. Start capturing and recording all these signals so you can analyze hem later. With every interaction, record the trail. Record it all, and don’t worry how much the space will cost. Times have changed and the cost for storage is considerably less than it was in the past.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Step 5: Plan on Consistent Improvement Take a page from Michael Dell’s book “Direct from Dell: Strategies that Revolutionized an Industry” and every single month or quarter identify and attack your top 3 inefficiencies. Altai’s saying is “Automate the mundane!” which means to identify processes that can be enhanced through technology. This is a continual process. We encourage you to bounce ideas off your AMS’ management (like Altai). Improvement does not end at Phase II![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Step 6: Smile at the Naysayers There will be people in your organization who don’t want to update your technology. Smile at them and wish them well. Feel free not to take their advice and make sure any new hires don’t have the same qualities. Hire passion; technical skills can be taught, passion cannot. That said, converting a naysayer is thrilling to watch.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Summary Altai is transforming, the industry is transforming, and soon you will need to as well. Digital transforming is an ongoing process; it will never end. As a testament to that, we’ve updated our Digital Transformation eBook: The Ultimate Guide to Digital Transformation for Association to include the items outlined in this blog post and so much more! Click eBook to download a copy. In addition, to learn how to approach the next phase after going live with a major digital project, sign up for this month’s webinar “Life After Launch” presented by Rebecca Achurch of Achurch Consulting. It will include tons of tips to help ensure your digital planning stays on track.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Don’t Outsource – Innovate
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On a recent ASAE Collaborate thread, an association leader for a small organization broached the subject of outsourcing a variety of functions. “Alice” said they currently outsource accounting and payroll. So, she requested assistance finding outsource outlets for the following: Front Line Membership (resetting passwords, purchasing membership) Membership Renewals (reminders, mailing, telephone calls) Meeting Help (exhibit hall and onsite registration) Publications (publication of program and magazine) While finding time to strategize is difficult, Alice conceded that they do need to start thinking conceptually about what would yield the biggest return for their small staff. We have some ideas where Alice can start.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Stop and Take a Beat When you are in the thick of running an association, it is very difficult to stop and examine your processes. You have deadlines, finances, courses, and meetings that all need to be addressed. Instead, you keep moving forward to get it all done. As hard as it is to do… STOP! As the old adage says, “Work smarter, not harder.” At the very least, take aside a morning and sit down with your team to examine their daily tasks. Then take into consideration: What do you need to do to keep the association running? How can you better serve your members? [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Work Smarter Your members, particularly if they are considered Millennials or Generation Z, are extremely tech savvy. They want things easy and done immediately. What they don’t want is to fill out a paper membership renewal or meeting registration. They want to be able to do that from their mobile device. It is easy to look at the tasks you assessed and think that the best thing to do is outsource them all. We agree that may be true for functions like tax preparation, payroll, and benefits. But for others like membership renewal or meeting registrations, look to technology for help. Simply adopting an adaptable integrative association management platform could solve most (if not all) of your problems. By doing this, association leaders will have more control over their data and be able to save money in lower overhead costs.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Adopt Innovative Technology Solutions Here is how Alice can technologically innovate and keep her processes in-house: Front Line Membership Help (Resetting Passwords, Purchasing Membership) Adopt a robust cloud-based CRM (like Microsoft Dynamics) to automate membership purchasing. Once a member applicant completes the on-line form, the data captured can automatically populate several other systems including: Accounting/Billing – It can be connected to an accounting system like QuickBooks for automated account information and payment tracking. Membership – You automatically have data populated with the information you need to understand your member (i.e. location, credentials, engagement points, etc.). Marketing – You can have the system send automated “new member” emails with introductory information like finding upcoming events or publications. Password Assistance – You can bypass this with single user sign on or automate it with self-directed password assistance. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_column_text] Membership Renewals (Reminders, Mailing, Telephone calls) Membership can be set up to automatically renew on the member’s credit card saving you countless account receivable hours. Members can get reminders, via automated emails and text messages, that their membership was automatically renewed or that they need to actively renew. If you need to send a letter as a last resort, an automated message and mail merge document can also be sent to a mail house or employee to send the letter. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_column_text] Meeting Help (Exhibit Hall and Onsite Registration) Microsoft Teams can help teams talk directly to each other either in the planning process or on-site via a free app. Teams can also assign and check off tasks as they are completed so there is no overlap in or misunderstanding of duties. An AMS (like Altai) that is built within Microsoft Dynamics can help ensure that all the data you need to capture for the event reaches all the involved parties. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_column_text] Publications (Publication of Program and Magazine) Use Microsoft tools like Publisher to layout your content, save it, and then convert it to a PDF. You can then upload it to your website to get a shareable link and enable members to download the content. You can then use the link to send via email and track the amount of opens, downloads, and/or purchases of the content. If you have a complicated process that involves printing and then mailing your publication, check out how Microsoft Flow saved us (and our client) hundreds of hours and dollars digitizing that process. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Conclusion As an association management software (AMS) company, we know you probably think, “Of course Altai would recommend this tactic.” But don’t just take our word for it. On the original thread referenced at the beginning of this article, an unaffiliated Nonprofit Management Advisor recommended, “Take another look at your technology infrastructure to see if you improve it, that could create more efficiency and free up staff time.” We couldn’t agree more. For more information on how we can help your organization be more efficient and free up your staff’s time, contact us at sales@altaisystems.com.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
