Productivity

In an effort to support organizations during these uncertain times, hundreds of tech companies are offering free use of their product, extended trials, discounts, and more. As a technology resource for associations and chambers of commerce, GrowthZone aggregated this list of relevant and useful programs to help member-based organizations. As the internet is fluid and the information included here was sourced from various websites; the information is reliable, but not guaranteed. Intended for information only. Products not endorsed by GrowthZone […]

“Leverage the strength that you have: that no one else can be you.” – Todd Wheatland When it comes to association marketing, differentiation is key. Identifying what makes your brand unique is critical to a successful strategy. The GrowthZone Marketing Toolkit is a collection of three critical resources developed specifically for association professionals. It includes: Marketing Plan Basics: A practical guide for writing your association’s marketing plan. Member Surveys: The 3-step process for gathering actionable data from your members. How to Conduct a […]

Low-cost (and free) ideas to retain employees & improve morale. There is a direct relationship between staff morale and retention. By focusing on a changing workforce culture and developing a retention strategy, associations can prevent (or at least manage) turnover. Time off and latitude in determining work schedules can be a significant contributor to staff morale and employee retention. 6 Ideas for Time Off and Flexible Work Schedules Give employees the option of working an altered schedule that accommodates family, […]

You don’t have to be a math person to determine your organization’s renewal rates. Follow this simple 1-part formula to see how your association is doing! RENEWAL RATES: (the percentage of members that renew their membership over a given period of time) (# of Renewals) ÷ (Eligible Members) = Renewal Rate Example: At the end of 2018, 3,000 members were up for renewal and 2,825 renewed.  2,825 ÷ 3000 = .94  Renewal Rate = 94% Important Info: The # of […]

For associations and chambers, goal setting isn’t always easy. And achieving goals is even trickier. In the current environment, knowing where to even begin goal-setting can be absolutely mind-boggling. By taking it one step at a time, the goal-setting process for member-based organizations can go from overwhelming to very manageable. There are broad goals and short-term goals. Often, a broad goal can be achieved with a series of short-term goals. The key to association success is to set a solid […]

By now your association should be up-to-speed on General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It applies organizations located in the European Union (EU) or organizations that collect data from members in the EU. Not only is this regulation poised to protect data, but it will set a new standard by challenging many companies to remove antiquated systems and upgrade business processes. The new law also dictates how to report data breaches and how to transfer data across borders safely. See how your […]

There has been a flurry of articles written and forum topics posted over the past few months about the impending European Union’s (EU) General Data Privacy Regulation (GDPR) that takes effect May 25, 2018. All this information has left many association staff dizzy, asking the question “what should associations be doing right now to ensure we’re compliant?” First, this regulation only impacts organizations located in the EU or organizations that collect data from members in the EU. If neither of […]

A recent article in the career section of the ASAE website explores the ins and outs of the career paths available in the association industry. We’ve highlighted some key points in the excerpts below. In many ways, working for an association is different from working in other types of organizations. Here are a few characteristics that set them apart from the for-profit and government sectors. They’re mission-driven. Every association has a deeply held reason for being. An example of a […]

An Annual Report isn’t just for your association’s Board of Directors.; it’s a valuable tool you can use to highlight your association’s successes and leverage to develop partnerships with sponsors. Here are six steps for writing an effective association annual report: Define the Audience As you create your annual report, keep in mind who will be reading the report: your board – make them feel appreciated; your members – show them the importance of belonging; prospective members – show them […]

Sometimes it’s better to be losing. A study by Jonah Berger of 18,000 NBA games shows that teams losing by a point at halftime were actually more likely to win than teams ahead by one point. Statistically, LeBron James is 8% better when his team is down late in the game. Why? Because being behind can be motivating. Teams, and people, work harder when they’re losing by a little. The father of Human Performance Technology, Thomas Gilbert, believed that “it […]

Nearly two-thirds of survey respondents say it’s hard to find a cultural fit when hiring. And when there isn’t a good fit, we often end up losing people fairly quickly, and that’s expensive and inefficient. So, given what’s at stake here, why are we finding it so hard to align who we’re hiring with what our culture truly is? In short, because the hiring process is fundamentally dishonest. I don’t mean recruiters and candidates are lying outright (though that does […]

Uncomfortable situations with difficult co-workers, members, and board members are part of day-to-day challenges for association professionals. You can’t change people, but you can change the way you deal with them. Use techniques featured in the first of our 4-part blog series, How to Deal with Challenging Members, to handle whatever is thrown your way. Download a complimentary copy of The Art of Dealing with Difficult People BE A GOOD LISTENER Everyone wants to be treated with respect. It’s important […]