One of the greatest dangers of having access to the latest and greatest technology is over-engineering. That is, searching for ways to automate processes that really don’t need to be automated. I was reminded of this last week by an email from a friend, which he has given me permission to quote here: We bought […]
Beware over-engineering Read More »
One of the most important things you can do when training new users in a database is to provide context. That is, prior to actually training someone on how to do something, take just a minute or two to explain WHAT you’re going to be doing, and WHY we’re using the database to do this.
When training, provide context Read More »
I was sitting in a meeting recently for an organization I do volunteer work with. The organization was explaining that they are tracking “face-to-face” engagement by tracking in-person meeting registrations. When I asked if they were also tracking face-tof-ace meetings like the one I was sitting in, there was an uncomfortable pause and then a
It requires discipline to succeed Read More »
Every so often, a client of mine will ask me about parallel processing. Generally they’ll ask something like “How long should we be running both our current AMS and our new AMS in parallel?” My answer is always “Don’t bother with parallel processing.” Here are three reasons: Staff never actually does it. Think about it;
Why I don't recommend parallel processing Read More »
I recently received an online survey from a free newsletter that I subscribe to. The very first question asked me how long I’d been a subscriber. What? You’re asking me how long I’ve been a subscriber? Don’t you have that data? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen my clients ask similar questions
Don't you know who I am?!? Read More »
One of the most common gripes I hear when I talk with business development staff within associations is that they don’t have enough time to enter data, and therefore don’t use the database. I think there are several things going on here: The system they are using MIGHT BE cumbersome. They’ve never developed a good
The challenge for Business Development managers using an AMS Read More »
Avectra is running a series of guest blog posts for the next 12 days. You can find my post here, on my predictions for data management in associations in 2012.
Check out my guest blog post at Avectra Read More »
I’ve written often about “managing to the exception,” the idea that all of our business rules have to apply to every case (i.e., the exceptional cases), instead of just the most common types of cases. One of my favorite examples of managing to the rule rather than the exception is the Dulles Greenway toll booth
A great example of managing to the rule Read More »
When it comes to managing our organization’s data, we too often allow our staff some short-term gains which create long-term pain. Let me provide some examples (all of these are actual cases of clients of mine): Managing the list of board members in Outlook because that’s easier than managing them in the central association management
Short-Term Gain May Cause Long-Term Pain Read More »
I’ve worked with well over 100 associations in my years as a consultant. In my experience, those of my clients that are most successful are those that don’t just talk about doing things, but actually do things. I know this may sound obvious, but stick with me a minute. When I work with my clients,
Are you doing the work, or just talking about it? Read More »