In a few weeks I’ll be speaking at ASAE’s Marketing, Membership & Communications Conference. My session will be on leveraging your organization’s AMS to improve…
Measuring Member Engagement – The AMS Vendors Are Starting to Get It Read More »
But will you DO anything with that data? I frequently exhort my clients to always answer the question “What will you do with that information?” when they talk about collecting new data or creating new reports, queries, and dashboards. Because it’s “easy” to do these things, we often want to collect or report on data without
Start small When I work with my clients on projects that involve measuring member engagement, business intelligence, or data analysis, my advice is always the same: start small. Any one of these types of projects can be overwhelming, which is why it’s important to start small. This will allow you to focus and will provide opportunities to
Don’t Forget Your Speakers! A phenomenon I’ve noticed over the years is that my clients will manage speaker data outside of the primary AMS. Often this data is managed in spreadsheets or in a third-party event registration system. And too often, this data never makes its way back into the primary AMS. The key data point, that a
UI Matters! Almost since I began consulting over 20 years, I’ve noted how important the user interface (UI) of a system is, in terms of user adoption and ease-of-use. On the staff side, the UI matters because the more “pleasant” a user interface is, the more likely staff is to actually use the system. (I define
Why associations don’t like the “S” word A couple of weeks ago I asked my readers why associations seem to fear the word “sales.” I received dozens of responses here and on LinkedIn (thanks to everyone who responded!). The reasons I heard seemed to fall into the following three categories: Associations are non-profits, and “sales” suggests profit. As
Increasingly Im hearing from my clients that they want to create a position designed to manage the database. In the old days, they called them database administrators (DBA), which was a mostly technical job focused on keeping the database running (think auto mechanic). But what most associations really need is a database manager (DBM). The
Consultants bring perspective At a recent speaking engagement, I was asked what I think is the greatest value a consultant can bring to a project (in this case, choosing a new association management system). I think the greatest value a consultant with significant experience can bring you is perspective. For example, when I work with clients on
Download one of my White Papers Trochlil’s 7 Technology Principles Click Here What the California Gold Rush Can Teach you About Your Data Click Here Understanding Millenials and Technology Click Here The Three Primary Data Management Systems Within Associations and How They Are Related Click Here Nine Keys to Long Term Success of Your Association
When it comes time to implement a new association management software (AMS) system, many associations will seek outside assistance with project management (I know, because I offer this type of service to my clients!). Seeking outside assistance can make sense, both from a skills perspective (i.e., the association may not have good project management skills
The Inherent Risks of an External Project Manager Read More »