Are you overwhelmed by the idea of cleaning up your database? Rather than trying to fix it all, focus on just ONE area within the database and work from there. For example, do all of your contacts have email addresses? If not, identify those that are missing email addresses and work up updating those records. You […]
Start with just ONE idea for database cleaning Read More »
I was meeting with a group of association CFOs recently, discussing how they use their association databases. During the course of the discussion, one of the executives said “We call our database the coffin.” When I asked him why, he smiled and said “Because in our organization, that’s where data goes to die.” He explained that although
"We call it the coffin." Read More »
I was once working with a client during implementation of a new association management system. At one point we got into a lengthy discussion of how to use the database to automate, as much as possible, the collection of application information from a certain type of member. After discussing how we could use the software to
Don't get hung up on exceptions Read More »
One of the biggest challenges associations face during a transition from one AMS to another is data conversion. Deciding what data to convert and getting it into the right format for the conversion can be a very tedious and fraught process. But there is one way to make data conversion really easy: Don’t convert any data.
Data conversion made easy Read More »
My oldest son (age 16) is interested in rebuilding our wooden swing-set, which is over 12 years old and in serious disrepair. At dinner recently, he sat down with a pencil and paper and started quizzing his siblings about what they would like to see on the swing-set. After creating a list of 10 to
When drawing a picture is better than using words Read More »
That’s what one of the AMS vendors said to me when describing the flexibility of their system. Sure, it’s hyperbole, but there’s a lot of truth in the statement. Today’s AMS products (here’s a list of over 50) are incredibly flexible and configurable. That’s what makes them so powerful. But that great flexibility also means that
"It's like a loaded gun; very powerful and very dangerous." Read More »
Personify interviewed me last week on my recent article, Improving User Adoption and Avoiding the Cycle of Doom. In the video Rob Kaighn and I discuss what the Cycle of Doom is and the four ways to avoid it. You can view the video here.
New Video on Avoiding the Cycle of Doom Read More »
Standing in line in airport security last week, I noticed that half the people in line were taking their shoes off while others were not. I wasn’t surprised because I’ve been at airports recently where all passengers were being told by TSA agents that we could leave our shoes on. So naturally, some of us thought
Inconsistent processes leads to inefficiencies (and errors!) Read More »
Here’s Tony Rosell, one of the brilliant minds at Marketing General, in a tweet about how associations are using email: The average #association sends out 4.3 emails to members each week with 8% of associations sending out 10 or more per week #2014MMBR. — Tony Rossell (@TonyRossell) March 26, 2014 4.3 emails per week? Some
Are you deluging your members with email? Read More »
Here’s an interesting article from IBM on the rise of the Chief Data Officer position within Fortune 500 companies. This position is becoming more important because of the massive growth of “Big Data.” This is of special interest because I’m also seeing an interest in these types of positions in associations. I did an interview
The rise of the "Chief Data Officer" Read More »