I’ve posted a new article on my website. I recently received an email from a past client (and current colleague!) of mine, asking me if I could help her and her organization with some data management issues they are having. She outlined her needs and ended the email by asking, “Are these even services that you […]
New Article Posted – Do They Know What You Offer? 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 »
I’m conducting a search for a new AMS on behalf of one of my clients. We requested responses, including pricing, from five vendors. Of the five vendors responses, THREE of them had mathematical errors in their proposals. Ironically, the only area of the entire proposal that I can judge for absolute accuracy is the math!
Attention vendors! Check your work! – A lesson we can all learn Read More »
At the session I presented at the ASAE Technology Conference last month, one of the points I made was that you should never collect data you’re not going to use. Seems obvious enough, but I still see many of my clients collecting data out of habit: “Oh, we’ve always asked for their highest degree attained.
Things I heard at ASAE Tech Conference VII – Data you should NOT collect Read More »
A session attendee at the Tech Conference said (I paraphrase): “In all the proposals I’ve received from AMS vendors, the amount of training proposed seems ridiculously low to me. Why do the vendors underbid on the training aspect of their product?” I invite the vendors to respond here, but I think there are several things
Things I heard at ASAE Tech Conference VI – Training Read More »
During one session I attended at the ASAE Tech Conference, the issue arose of testing in the AMS during implementation. Testing is a key step during the implementation of a new AMS. After all, you either test the system before you launch it (with test case scenarios, discussed below) or you test it in real-time
Things I heard at ASAE Tech Conference V – Testing plans Read More »
At one session I attended, an audience member asked the question quite plaintively: “How do we deal with the fear and pain of selecting a new association management system?” First, you’re not going to eliminate the fear. People will be worried/concerned/scared. You can’t change that. Second, there is going to be some “pain,” regardless of
I can’t remember who said it, but along the way I heard someone say something simple yet profound. When it comes to selecting and implementing a new association management system (AMS), staff need to modify their expectations. That is, they cannot expect the system to be all things to all people. It will have weaknesses.
Things I heard at ASAE Tech Conference III – Modify your expectations Read More »
I’m a huge proponent of internal users groups, which I’ve written about here and here. At a session I attended, Jamie DeSimone of the Independent Electrical Contractors asked how one should go about setting up an internal users group. Here are my suggestions: Identify the key players, who are typically the power users. On occasion you
Things I heard at ASAE Tech Conference II – How do I set up an internal users group Read More »