Forj

MARCH 4, 2024

Listservs can be a good tool for starting a community, but many organizations outgrow the limited tech capabilities. Your members are used to using SMS, apps, social media, and many other forms of communication. Relying on a listserv can limit your effectiveness and reach as you grow, so it is worth it to look at alternatives that can help you better serve your community members.

Social Media 91

Social Media Tools Communications Organization 91

Forj

MARCH 4, 2024

Members expectations of their associations and professional communities are increasing based on their experiences with other brands. Technology is advancing all around us. As the bar rises, so do member expectations for a personalized and modern experience.

Technology 91

Technology Member Experience 91

Forj

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

If your association struggles to engage new members, you're not alone. There are dozens of reasons new members hesitate to participate in an online community, and that makes it tough to settle on a single engagement strategy.

Member Engagement 70

Member Engagement Strategy Member Experience 70

Forj

JANUARY 31, 2024

We’ve always believed that a sense of belonging is the key to creating an online community , and that belief is backed by real research. In 1986, social psychologists McMillan & Chavis described the heart of a successful community as “a feeling that members have of belonging, a feeling that members matter to one another and to the group, and a shared faith that members’ needs will be met through their commitment to be together.

Member Engagement 91

Member Engagement Member Experience 91

Forj

JANUARY 26, 2024

Does your technology connect community with learning to provide an elevated member experience?

Member Experience 91

Member Experience Technology 91

Forj

JANUARY 9, 2024

Across industries and around the world, organizations have recognized the power of online communities. What were once seen as simple social networks have evolved into dynamic spaces where like-minded professionals connect, learn, and grow together. A vibrant community can transform your ability to foster collaboration, drive engagement, and increase member retention.

Industry 91

Industry Organization Member Experience 91

Forj

DECEMBER 6, 2023

Over months marked by continued change, we engaged with a lot of association leaders who shared challenges, exchanged ideas, and sparked innovation. Their perspectives have helped us shape content that inspires and enlightens others on similar journeys.

Innovation 91

Innovation Content Member Experience 91

Forj

DECEMBER 5, 2023

You know your association's success depends on keeping pace with member expectations, but something might be holding you back: your legacy community technology. In many cases, the dynamic experience your members seek can't be created on traditional community software.

Technology 91

Technology Software Member Experience 91

Forj

DECEMBER 4, 2023

When you ask association members to describe a vibrant online community, they often use the first person.

Member Experience 70

Member Experience 70

Forj

NOVEMBER 10, 2023

Imagine a thriving online community where members make meaningful connections and contributions. They have access to experts who can help them solve their toughest challenges. They can easily expand their networks by finding people who share their interests. They create a culture of reciprocity by sharing their experience and expertise.

How To 91

How To Strategy Innovation 91

Forj

NOVEMBER 13, 2023

Each year, Forj conducts research to explore member expectations and uncover what professionals really want from the associations they belong to. The resulting State of Member Experience (MX) Report offers association leaders critical insights to understand, improve, and master MX. This year’s report revealed key findings about the number one driver of member retention: community.

Member Experience 70

Member Experience Report 70

Forj

NOVEMBER 13, 2023

Today’s professionals want to be part of a community—but not just any community will do. What they really want is a vibrant community that pulsates with life and an energy of its own. But how do you create that space for your members? And why does it matter? In a recent webinar , the Forj team revealed how building a vibrant community can help associations solve one of their biggest challenges: boosting member retention.

How To 91

How To Team Member Experience 91

Forj

NOVEMBER 10, 2023

Imagine a thriving online community where members make meaningful connections and contributions. They have access to experts who can help them solve their toughest challenges. They can easily expand their networks by finding people who share their interests. They create a culture of reciprocity by sharing their experience and expertise.

How To 70

How To Strategy Innovation 70

Forj

OCTOBER 5, 2023

Associations Now details why improving technology offerings, focusing on retention, and creating community-driven learning can prove beneficial.

Technology 91

Technology Education Report Member Experience 91

Forj

OCTOBER 2, 2023

Over the past few decades, we’ve seen trends evolve from marketing-led growth to sales-led growth to product-led growth. Now, the fastest-growing associations are building their strategies around community-led growth. Much like its predecessors, community-led growth acts as a multiplier on top of product-led growth. But unlike its predecessors, it puts members firmly at the center of your strategy.

Strategy 91

Strategy Products Marketing Member Experience 91

Forj

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

The Forj Team was recently featured on FOX6 News Milwaukee for an team-building activity at during an all company meeting focused on culture and growth.

Milwaukee 91

Milwaukee Team 91

Forj

FEBRUARY 23, 2023

Professional associations promise members access to knowledge, resources, and community to help them learn, grow, and connect—and technology empowers them to fulfill that commitment.

Technology 91

Technology Resources Member Experience 91

Forj

MARCH 9, 2023

In a world where consumer expectations shift daily, it's become harder and harder for organizations to keep up. For associations, the challenge is compounded by changes in the world of work that have prompted needs for learning and connections that far exceed those of professionals just a decade ago.

Organization 91

Organization Member Experience Technology 91

Forj

MARCH 14, 2023

In the earlier part of this century, I gained experience in corporate online learning and later shifted my focus to digital transformation for association education. I believe that corporate education design innovations are slightly ahead of association trends, I intermittently attend corporate training conferences put on by ATD, Learning Guild, and Training Magazine to stay current.

Education 91

Education Innovation Conference 91

Forj

APRIL 10, 2023

The first customer personas were introduced in the 1980s by Alan Cooper, a pioneering software developer. Frustrated by the lack of knowledge software developers had about their users, he created personas to help them better understand them—and improve their experiences.

Software 91

Software Member Experience 91

Forj

APRIL 20, 2023

Just as companies have used personas to better connect with and engage customers, associations are uncovering opportunities to model experiences around their members. Member personas are helping professional organizations gain insights into the specific traits and characteristics that influence members' wants, needs, and decision-making.

Organization 91

Organization Member Experience 91

Forj

MAY 16, 2023

Acquisition of Mobilize accelerates innovation for community-driven learning Forj has acquired Mobilize, a community engagement technology provider, to expand its Member Experience Platform for associations and professional networks. Building upon its recent merger with Web Courseworks, this investment accelerates Forj’s innovation to reimagine community-driven learning.

Member Experience 91

Member Experience Innovation Technology 91

Forj

JULY 17, 2023

From customer satisfaction score to net promoter score, there are a variety of metrics an organization can use to gauge its customer experience. But the latest metric gaining momentum focuses less on increasing delight and more on decreasing dismay. That measure? Customer Effort Score (CES).

Organization 91

Organization Member Experience 91

Forj

JULY 21, 2023

The events of the last few years have deeply disrupted how we live and work and left many associations struggling to adapt. The assumptions that once guided their strategies have, in some cases, been rendered irrelevant. As a result, many association leaders have begun exploring new ways to elevate the member experience.

Education 70

Education Marketing Member Experience Strategy 70

Forj

AUGUST 17, 2023

Forj, the leading software platform provider purpose-built for communities of practice, is excited to announce its expanded vision and new, unified branding following the company’s successful acquisition of Mobilize and merger with Web Courseworks earlier this year.

Member Experience 70

Member Experience Software 70

Forj

AUGUST 22, 2023

Milwaukee, WI - -Forj recently announced two additions to the company’s executive leadership team when they welcomed Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Andrew Ellis, and Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), Chasity Jensen. This news comes after a momentous start to 2023 that included the completion of a Series A funding round, a successful merger with Madison-based Web Courseworks, and the acquisition of Mobilize.

Milwaukee 70

Milwaukee Revenue Member Experience Leadership 70

Forj

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

Several years ago on this blog, we reviewed two web-based content development apps: Claro (from domiKnow) and Composica. Recently, domiKnow reached out to us to get our opinion on the current iteration of their web-based tool, domiKnow | ONE, which contains an updated version of Claro as well as many other tools. At the time of the last article, domiKnow had created a robust web-based app in Claro.

LMS 103

LMS Course System Tools 103

Forj

AUGUST 17, 2021

In episode 7 of the Managing eLearning Podcast , Jon & Matt sit down with Celisa Steele Co-Founder & Managing Director for Tagoras to discuss the Learning Business Maturity Model , which articulates the characteristics of a mature market-facing learning business or line of business, as well as the stages that typically precede full maturity.

Innovation 91

Innovation Revenue Strategy Marketing 91

Forj

AUGUST 12, 2021

Did you know that 47% of HR professionals have said that retention is the top talent management challenge they face, closely followed by recruitment at 36%? In the broadest sense, employee retention depends on a combination of factors, including work-life balance, benefits, compensation, development and learning opportunities , and more. These factors also affect your recruitment rates, as a company that values its employees enough for them to stay is also one that others want to work for.

Recruiting 91

Recruiting Recruitment Tips Process 91

Forj

AUGUST 12, 2021

There are many aspects you need to consider to ensure the success of your learning business. Your overall learning business strategy and tech tools such as your learning management system (LMS) and eCommerce tools work together to deliver content to your learners. Your team, subject matter experts (SMEs), and eLearning consultants work together to author content for your courses.

Course 91

Course Software Authoring Tools LMS 91

Forj

AUGUST 11, 2021

Last year was unprecedented for associations that provide eLearning to members. But, although some of the challenges from 2020 have passed, facilitating eLearning in 2021 is no walk in the park. Now that we’re well into 2021, it’s clear that working from home and virtual and hybrid events are sticking around, the emphasis on professional development is only growing, and new learning technologies are popping up as a result.

Revenue 91

Revenue Technology Organization 91

Forj

JULY 22, 2021

In this week’s episode , Matt Harpold and Jon Aleckson interview Hope Liu , the Senior Director, Organizational Learning for the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities. . Hope Liu discusses how their merger with Council on Accreditation (Alliance- COA) makes for the perfect combination of an organization committed to education, systemic change, and the proliferation of best practices and standards for community-based organizations.

LMS 91

LMS System Course Content 91

Forj

JULY 8, 2021

What did the last assessment that you took look like? Perhaps it was a multiple-choice final exam or an essay-style test printed in double-spaced Times New Roman. Either way, we’d guess it looked quite different from the eLearning assessment types we’re going to discuss today. When it comes to eLearning assessments, there is a wide range of possibilities when it comes to interactivity and engagement.

Course 172

Course LMS Case Study Price 172

Forj

JUNE 17, 2021

orgSource , a leader in helping associations improve efficiency and create growth strategies using technology, recently released a report that provides valuable insight into how associations handled the pandemic, and how it is shaping their future. Leaders from more than 100 associations responded to the survey , rating how they did adapting to everything from remote work environments and virtual conferences, to embracing online learning platforms.

Revenue 91

Revenue Survey Report Strategy 91

Forj

JUNE 16, 2021

The ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition , taking place on August 13-18th, is one of the (if not the biggest) association-related event each year. The numerous amount of networking opportunities, educational sessions, and ways to earn CAE credit truly makes this event so valuable. All sessions listed are in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Here are some of the virtual sessions we recommend attending to get the most out of your conference experience. 1.

Education 91

Education Strategy Content Resources 91

Forj

JUNE 15, 2021

In episode 5 of Managing eLearning , Dr. Deb Stone , Assistant Director of Continuing Education at The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), sat down with Dr. Jon Aleckson and Matt Harpold to discuss how working with associations executives takes time and collaboration to build a digital strategy. Deb shares how she worked to understand the essentials of what to implement and how to prioritize her organization’s digitalization.

LMS 91

LMS Library Education Course 91

Forj

JUNE 7, 2021

For years, the LMS has reigned supreme as the top learning platform for associations. However, as you begin searching for your association’s next solution, you’ll quickly come across a new option on the market— learning experience platforms (LXPs). But, what really is an LXP and how is it different from your typical LMS? Even further, should you invest in one?

LMS 91

LMS Course Library Learning Management System 91