Beware the automated "How did we do?" trap!
One of the downsides of technology is that automation can be so easy that we wind up annoying our members and customers rather than helping them.
Case in point: I recently purchased tickets for a Broadway show via StubHub. The day after attending the show, I got an email from StubHub asking me "Tell us how we did!"
Tell you how you did?!? You sent me the tickets and they worked. Isn't that what's supposed to happen? I mean, what else can we say about this transaction?
With automation, it's easy for StubHub to follow up and ask me the question. But the problem is, EVERYONE is doing this. So every time I buy anything from anyone, I get an automated survey asking me for feedback. So what do I do, every single time? I delete the email.
Which is exactly what your members do.
I'm not suggesting you not ask for feedback from your members and customers. But I am suggesting you consider how and when you ask for that feedback. An automated email is almost certain to be ignored.
![]()
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
Iterate or innovate?
Iterate or innovate? When moving to a new association management system, there is often an implicit […]
Who is in control?
Who is in control? Speaking with a client once about their database project, the client […]
Sometimes Staff Has to do the Work
Sometimes staff has to do the work… As a child, I was attracted to computers […]
Documentation and the Great Resignation
Documentation and the Great Resignation Unless you’ve been living under the proverbial rock, you’ve heard […]
Data Management Strategy
Data Management Strategy Do you know what your data management strategy is? If you have […]
It’s always about trust
It’s always about trust When I work with clients on almost any data management project, […]
You can’t outsource buy-in
You can’t outsource buy-in One factor consistent with all of my most successful projects is […]
Use it or lose it!
Use it or lose it! I’m referring here to the data you collect. If you […]
“If I could only do one thing…”
“If I could only do one thing…” Managing data throughout your organization can be overwhelming. Do […]
Gratitude
Gratitude As Thanksgiving in the US approaches, I’m reminded of the importance of gratitude, in […]
