On the Edmunds website is a very slick tool that will allow you to calculate the TCO (total cost of ownership, which they’ve cutely trademarked as true cost to own) for a car you may be considering for purchase. The true cost to own tells you what the car will really cost you once you […]
Make sure you understand TCO (total cost of ownership) Read More »
One of the primary services I provide to my clients is helping them select and implement new association management software. Because there are so many choices available (here’s a list that I follow), my clients use me as an insurance policy, to make sure they make a choice that’s right for their organization. While having
Seek Dividends, Not Just Insurance Read More »
I’m working on an RFP for a client for the selection of new association management software system. As I’m working through the list of required functionality, I’m struck by just how much functionality is available
Don't Expect EVERYTHING from Your Database Read More »
When I work with clients on their data management processes, I’m always looking for ways to make life easier for the staff as well as for the customer. That typically means finding ways to make the database do more of the work for us, so as to lower labor intensity. But sometimes it’s either not
Workarounds aren't always bad Read More »
I’ve written several times before about managing email opt-outs (Here’s a short list). One issue that I continue to encounter with my clients is that the management of opt-outs tends to be too broad. That is, the opt-out is all or nothing; say yes and I’ll send everything, say no and you’ll receive nothing. We
I’ve posted a new article on my website. Way back in the 1900s (November 1996, to be exact), I wrote an article for ASAE’s Membership Developments newsletter. The article was entitled “Creating a Customer Service Team,” and outlined what I had experienced while doing just that at my association. I recently had occasion to re-read
New Article Posted – The Timelessness of Business Process Review Read More »
I wrote here recently about my positive experience with donating to ASAE’s Foundation. Following my donation I received not one, not two, but three separate snail-mail communications from ASAE. One was my printed receipt (since it’s a tax deductible donation) and the other two were personal, hand written notes from Peter O’Neill (chairman of the
Kudos to ASAE Foundation Read More »
I received, in the mail this weekend, a letter from the ASAE Foundation, asking me for a donation. Having been a volunteer for ASAE for over 15 years, this letter has some appeal to me. (Kudos to ASAE for opening the letter with “As a volunteer…” Proof that someone there knows me!) As I set
Are you making it easy to give (or buy)? Read More »
I was speaking with Mike Murphy at the American Sociological Association about our upcoming session at the 2010 ASAE Technology Conference. (You’re attending, right? Our session is on the AMS selection process.) During our discussion of his experience with selecting and implementing an AMS, Mike raised a great point: It’s critical to have some type
Translator, Please. Read More »
Over the years, I’ve written a whole bunch about training (Click here for all kinds of tips.) Recently, Donna Dunn, Executive Director and CEO of the Association of YMCA Professionals, emailed me with some thoughts on training. She has given me permission to reprint her thoughts here: I would argue — as a consumer of
Database Training and Your Dog Read More »