A system change requires a culture change
By its very nature, when you introduce a new enterprise-wide system like a new AMS, you are going to have to change the culture of your
organization in order to best leverage the new system.
A simple example: When I work with my clients on selecting a new AMS, they often tell me that only one or a few staff use the current system. "It's too difficult for any of us to use" or "Cindy knows the system best, so we rely on her to manage all the data."
In these examples, the current culture is one where very few staff use the system. But presumably you're changing systems, in part, so that more staff can/will use the system. Whether you realize it or not, that's a change in culture.
A new system is very likely to change many things about your
organization's culture, so you need to be prepared for that. There are entire books written on how to change your culture, so I won't go into that here. But if you really want to get the most from a new AMS, you need to acknowledge that the culture will change, and you need to be prepared to drive that culture change in the most positive way possible.
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
A Data Integrity Report…for Reports!
I’ve written elsewhere about the value of data integrity reports. But one of the most […]
Simple rules for complex systems
Simple rules for complex systems I first heard the phrase “simple rules for complex systems” […]
Accentuate the positive
Accentuate the positive I’ve written before about the importance of database public relationsand celebrating success. I’ll add […]
Annual dues vs. anniversary dues
Annual dues vs. anniversary dues I served as director of membership for several years at […]
A change of systems requires a change of mindset
Every AMS vendor will tell you that the toughest part of implementing a new system […]
It doesn’t have to be optimal to be beneficial
It doesn’t have to be optimal to be beneficial I’m a big fan of the […]
Look for small wins
Look for small wins One of the toughest things about system implementation is simply how […]
Are you closing the loop?
Are you closing the loop? If your association does a call for presentations for any […]
Declare victory and move on
Declare victory and move on The law of diminishing returns is the point at which the […]
Clean as you go
Clean As You Go A good cook or baker knows that, when working in the […]