Smooth The Path

JANUARY 28, 2020

Do staff regularly conduct member research? Are listening tours, welcome calls, or member interviews on your list of to-dos? When testing new benefits, do you ask for member feedback? But member insights are hard to come by. Members are busy, and likely they will continue getting busier in the future.

Member Research 88

Member Research Member Insights Survey Member Engagement 88

Smooth The Path

JUNE 19, 2016

There’s an interesting dance that happens with member research. We ask the questions we think we want to know the answers to but members see those questions and find they would rather answer some other more important questions. Qualitative member research methods do. Related: Please ask members.

Member Research 68

Member Research Survey Project Education 68

Smooth The Path

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

Or, these conversations might help you source your next speakers and authors and interviewees and give you valuable insight for content like articles, white papers, and research reports. Few associations are mining attendee conversations for data because this was impossible to capture during in-person events.

Conference 78

Conference Report Industry Content 78

Smooth The Path

JULY 26, 2018

One of the core staff values would be to be intensely member-focused. We would talk with members often, conduct listening tours, and interview them. We would use all the member insights we gain to develop our member communications, set our strategy, and create an innovation plan.

Innovation 74

Innovation Member Insights Member Experience Recruiting 74

Smooth The Path

NOVEMBER 15, 2018

The trouble with association boards is they tend to be populated with super-members. Super-members are members who are so engaged, so seasoned, so advanced in the profession or industry they are not like most members. On the advancement of the industry or the profession. They know everyone and everything.

How To 90

How To Industry Member Experience Team 90

Smooth The Path

APRIL 5, 2018

Members see three precious days out of the office, away from their families. Take a look at every big issue your staff is debating right now from association administration to trends in the industry. Is your staff’s point of view the same as your members? If not, get closer to your members.

Price 74

Price Cost Industry Member Research 74

Smooth The Path

FEBRUARY 9, 2016

When I talk to relatively new members there is almost always a 3-5 year gap between when the member started in the profession or industry and when they actually became a member of the association. When I see that many year gap I always go back and ask them about it. Why didn’t you join sooner?

Innovation 60

Innovation Content Products Industry 60