Since 2020, 35% of people in the world have read more books, and the number of streaming service subscriptions from companies like Netflix and Hulu passed 1 billion worldwide for the first time.

What does this tell us? That, more than ever, people love reading and/or watching a great story. And, sure, it also reminds us that we were all trapped inside waiting out a pandemic. Still, I think it’s telling that in times of crisis, when comfort and certainty were in short supply, we turned to stories. 

Consumer brands long ago discovered that the desire to read a good story and connect with characters drew customers to certain initiatives and even contributed to selling more products. But does this success in the consumer world translate to nonprofit storytelling?

The challenge of nonprofit storytelling

This question has been asked by many in the nonprofit sector, and for a while, it seems like there was some skepticism. I think that it’s because, if done poorly, using storytelling to further a brand, a product or a mission can feel inauthentic. And association and nonprofit members seem to sniff out the fake and phony more than other types of audiences. 

But over the past five years or so, nonprofits have realized that they actually have some of the best stories to tell! We’ve seen a growing interest in nonprofit storytelling, and we’ve seen really helpful blogs like the one from our Wild Apricot colleagues that help associations and nonprofits know where to start telling great stories about their people and their mission. 

3 Tips for Creating Memorable Nonprofit Stories 

1. Let people tell their own stories

User-generated content provides huge benefits. It’s inspiring, it’s credible and it shows that the organization values supporters and members. User-generated content also eases the burden of creating original content from the organization itself, while at the same opening up ample opportunities for increased engagement and participation. Ensure the content you get is what you’re looking for by soliciting content around a key theme, in support of answering a specific question or to support a unique campaign.

2. Tell your story in different formats based on your audience

These days, people like to consume their stories in a variety of ways. Some audiences prefer to read a story, others like a visual guide like an infographic and increasingly more people like to watch stories via a video. Some even like a combination of mediums to enjoy the same story. I’m, personally, guilty of listening to a true crime story on a podcast, then spending the next week reading every article and watching every video that I can about it. 

The point is that the digital world has not made storytelling obsolete. Instead, it has made storytelling come to life and more accessible through visual tools. 

And even though the idea of visual storytelling can be intimidating due to a nonprofit’s lack of resources, consider these facts as you start to plan for which tools to invest in for the future:

• Cisco projects that global internet traffic from videos will make up 82% of all consumer internet traffic by 2022. (Cisco)
• 70% of YouTube viewers watch videos for “help with a problem” they’re having in their hobby, studies, or job. (Think With Google)
• Globally, YouTube is consumers’ leading source of video content, at 83% (Facebook is second, at 67%). (HubSpot)

Visual storytelling has proven to be a highly-effective storytelling tool. Visuals allow you to quickly get messages across in high-impact ways that viewers can digest quickly. When people see your story, when they hear videos you’ve put together it creates the opportunity for a more memorable experience. Thoughtful and strategic introduction of multimedia will capture your viewers’ attention and spark meaningful engagement.

3. End with a call to action

Many of us learned early on that stories have a beginning, middle and end. For nonprofits, there’s an opportunity to share an overview of the problem and how the organization’s mission works to solve the problem. That’s the end, right?

It shouldn’t be. The stories that nonprofits and their supporters tell invest heavily in building an emotional connection but sometimes miss the opportunity to capitalize on it with a powerful call to action. Ensure each story your organization tells ends with a call to action—an opportunity for someone interested to become more involved. Join us, share your story, learn how to get involved all provide great ways for people to harness the positive energy from your story and turn warm feelings into next steps.

What does nonprofit storytelling look like to you?

Every association and nonprofit has a story to tell. But what that story is and the best ways to tell are up to you. If you’re stuck wondering where to start, we recommend doing things like interviewing members and volunteers and understanding the characters of your story doing persona work. 

For nonprofits, storytelling is changing the way members and partners find, engage and build relationships — and for the better. Both member- and donor-focused organizations have a clear advantage as their missions naturally create outcomes that are worthy of a great narrative.

The post 3 Tips for Getting Started with Nonprofit Storytelling appeared first on Personify.

What this strategic planning doesn’t account for is the lasting impacts on event professionals from the pandemic. It can easily be seen as you peruse through LinkedIn.  The entire events ecosystem, including countless event management teams, have shrunk through natural attrition and furloughs during COVID. Frequently these professionals have moved on to other jobs or new industries completely.   

Organizations big and small continue to work with smaller staff. Unfortunately, this reduced staffing also exists with key constituents such as contacts at exhibitors and sponsors.  So, I hear from clients often, “how can I do more with less?”  

Technology  

I am sure it seems easier said from a guy who works for an event technology company but hear me out.    

Retail During COVID 

Look at the retail industry, for example. Retailers who pivoted to new technology and leveraged existing solutions faired the best. From apps, scan-and-go, online check-in/order pick-up, etc. Even the expansion of services such as DocuSign signaled those businesses could easily transact without paper. They met their customer where they needed them.  They were agile and adapted to maximize both the in-person and online experience (much like event organizers will need to do moving forward).  

If you want a glimpse of how the National Retail Federation managed events and trade shows during COVID to meet their industries’ needs, watch the on-demand interview with Susan Newman, Senior Vice President of Conference at the Events Revenue Summit.   

Meanwhile, the events industry attempted to use technology to recreate the same experience of an in-person event virtually (the plop and drop method). We all know how the early days of virtual events went. While the technology improved and event organizers began to design better experiences, there was no one-to-one equivalent.  The most successful were conference- heavy events.  Why? The technology has long been available and utilized for online learning, learners were still eager, and many were required for certification.  The least successful was capturing the serendipity of networking and the benefits of a trade show floor connecting buyers and suppliers. 

I shared in my Event Communities Blog Post, the reason the industry has been slow to adopt new(er) technology and services has been its success. The pandemic forced organizers to do things differently – for now.   

The New Events Normal  

What concerns me the most is how easily we can slip into old habits as we start this next phase of virtual or hybrid events. The problem this time, compared to previous event downturns, is we are coming back to new expectations of all our constituents.  As expectations change, so do processes that need to change.   

Even before all this impending change, it is not uncommon to see events still using a printed floor plan, updating it with sticky notes or white-out (who knew that still even existed). Some are printing and faxing paper contracts, emailing credit card numbers, and sharing personally identifiable information in blatant disregard to credit card security and compliance. Others are endlessly copying and pasting data, relying on a locked excel document to calculate years’ worth of priority points, or running daily reports manually and keeping printouts in folders and binders in an office. The list goes on.   

Events Industry Brain Drain  

This brain drain creates both challenges and opportunities for rebuilding. Many organizations relied on people to manage and maintain historical processes, data, and much more with a seasoned staff. Some of it happened on paper in folders, random files amassed on their hard drive, and others simply stored it way in their brain. Events often just happened, without question, year after year with the staff knowing the details. I often refer to these situations as it’s not an issue until it is an issue. COVID made it an issue.    

Without access to these files during the lockdown or team members who were suddenly gone, so was the information they held. Sure, some of it was recoverable from a hard drive, but sometimes it was not. And many of those files weren’t designed to be used other than the creator. So once again, the answer points back to – technology.  

Online Event Management Tools and Platforms  

Utilizing cloud-based platforms and solutions cannot prevent such a loss of information; they are designed to capture your event’s data so it can persist long after team members retire or leave the organization.   

Event management solutions and other platforms are designed to warehouse historical data, electronic contracts, historical purchases by companies, contacts, and much more. They have your end goal in mind.   

Even if you utilize some platforms, COVID has created the perfect opportunity to review your solutions and better build processes to streamline your efforts moving forward.  

Let the Tech-Tech  

As you explore options or even better maximize what you currently use, it is important to see how technology can help secure your data, speed cash flow, avoid costly mistakes, streamline your workflows, integrate systems, automate your reporting, all while doing it with less staff.  Working with your partners to architect the best solution is critical.   

But what’s the most significant advantage of leveraging technology?   

You can focus on relationships.   

Now more than ever, it is essential to spend time talking and listening to all your constituents, especially your exhibitors and sponsors. Even companies who have long exhibited or sponsored at your show often face similar challenges trying to learn the new events normal. They may have smaller budgets, reduced staff, and changes in marketing spend that will require more time with them. The last thing you will want to do is slow the sale up by needing to fax a contract you had to write up or wait until a sponsorship prospectus is updated. They will expect to conduct business much like the retail world has adapted this past year.   

Ready to find out how technology can help your organization?  Join Rich Vallaster, Director of Marketing and the Tradeshow Wonk at Personify, as he shares how #eventtech can help solve the new events normal.  

In this session, you’ll learn: 

• How to leverage new and existing solutions to improve efficiency and streamline operations 
• Best practices to increase exhibitor and sponsor satisfaction  
• Key areas of consideration for building an affordable event tech stack  
• Cost saving and revenue-generating ideas to cover your software costs 
• And much, much more

WATCH THE WEBINAR ON-DEMAND 

The post Maximizing the New Events Normal with Tech Tools appeared first on Personify.

In a recent webinar, Rich Vallaster, Director of Marketing and the Tradeshow Wonk at Personify, discussed innovative strategies for successfully implementing event communities and connecting audiences at your next event. This webinar covered building event communities to increase satisfaction and retention, create additional revenue opportunities, and drive higher attendance to your hybrid events.

Here are some of the biggest takeaways from the discussion.

Your Audience Wants to Connect

As Vallaster stated early on in the webinar, “We were really good at in-person events. But, then Covid-19 happened, and Covid-19 taught us that communities matter more than ever.” People want to connect with like-minded professionals and engage in meaningful industry topics. Networking is essential for establishing vital relationships—and that is where event communities come into play. They have built-in trust thanks to familiarity, privacy protection, and ownership.

Event communities are not a new concept. Audiences have been asking for them for a while. Vallaster noted that he often heard that attendees wanted to stay in touch with the people they met at in-person events after they left. Event communities provide an outlet to keep the conversations going.

Audiences are conditioned and accustomed to utilizing digital tools to feel more connected and engaged. “We need to diversify the investment and risks associated with in-person events, and event communities do just that,” said Vallaster.

Event Communities Are the Hybrid Solution

In-person events will be the centerpieces of the digital experiences surrounding physical events. Vallaster stressed that that is “where we are headed in ‘Hybrid 2.0.’”

Webinars and online communities are going to drive people to in-person events. In-person events generate the most revenue, and digital will continue to facilitate networking opportunities and awareness around those physical events.

In a recent survey of 500 associations, Personify asked, “What is becoming more important for association members?” Personify found that 45% of respondents want to network with others in person. Still, 43% want to be able to network with others via digital platforms and communities. Thus, the data supports the importance of having an event community for your tradeshow and conference. “This truly is creating the total package,” said Vallaster.

How You Can Maximize Event Communities

Content: Your event community is your private audience. The data is yours. It is designed and scalable for your event. You can host live and on-demand videos for pre-, during, and post-event activities. Vallaster stressed that these communities encourage thought leaders to interact on relevant topics, which creates and fosters engagement. “It’s not just a virtual event; not everything is happening in a certain timeframe, “he said. It’s a year-round opportunity to solicit real-time feedback to improve your overall content initiatives.”

Revenue Generation: Sponsors, exhibitors, and industry partners are eager for opportunities to get involved year-round. Online marketplaces, sponsor advertising, and galleries for products and services are increasingly of interest for year-round exposure. The more networking that occurs online year-round, the more valuable your events will be.

Return on Investment: Event communities grow the value of your events. They foster and accelerate connections. They not only broaden your audience but also increase engagement among all audiences and offer new and exciting revenue opportunities. “The great thing about member-only areas is that they create exclusivity and desire to level up,” Vallaster remarked. “The general trend is that people wait until the very last minute. Habits have changed. That is where event communities can drive registration benefits. They create excitement to influence attendance at other events.”

Wrapping Up

Vallaster offered a lot of valuable information during the webinar for any organization interested in reaching its audience through event communities. From growing the value of your events to increasing engagement among all audiences, he made it clear that as organizations begin to stage hybrid and return to in-person events, the desire to connect is stronger than ever.

Click here to watch the webinar recording. To request a demo of Personify’s Community for Events, click here.

The post Webinar Recap: Supercharge Your Hybrid Event with an Event Community appeared first on Personify.

Some days, I wake up and it feels like I’m living through the movie Groundhog Day. My days can feel like a repetitive combo of working from home, ordering groceries online, watching movies and looking forward to the days when the pandemic is over. But with the news of Pfizer’s success with its Coronavirus vaccine trials, perhaps there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. 

Over the past eight months, association professionals have had experiences that are like mine. They have worked to support their members with digital programming and content, transitioned to virtual events, educated members and non-members about pandemic-related shifts in their industries and are now looking towards 2021 without fully knowing when a vaccine will be ready and in-person activities can resume. While it’s been a tough year, there have been many associations that adapted and made organizational resilience a priority.  

What is organizational resilience? 

When the pandemic forced the closure of businesses and schools in March, organizations had to act quickly to transition to a remote workforce, decide where to focus their efforts to support members and their industry and institute new programming or policies for their constituents. The associations that were able to absorb and adapt to the challenges of COVID-19 are, by definition, resilient. And speed plays an important role here. Many of the members served by these organizations are essential workers and individuals on the front lines of the pandemic, and leaders had to make decisions at a speed that would have been unimaginable in a pre-COVID climate. 

Organizational resilience means that you have taken the time to think through business continuity and crisis plans, and likely have run through several what-if scenarios to identify weaknesses and challenges if an actual crisis occurred. Many of us may not have had a global pandemic in our crisis communications playbook, but organizations that had planned for a host of potential scenarios were able to pull out tactics and plans from incidents that are similar in nature. 

What are common characteristics of resilient organizations? 

1. Unite around a common purpose

While your association has a stated mission, vision and values, new needs may have arisen as a result of the pandemic that required shifts in programming, staffing and overall strategy. Resilient organizations often articulate a common purpose or a “North Star” that helps people feel connected to the mission and invested in your recovery initiatives. Your common purpose should align with your mission, vision and values but it can be helpful to identify specific goals as part of your resiliency plan or crisis communication plans.  

Since the timeline for returning to in-person activities is still unknown, break your goals out into short-, mid- and long-term initiatives with flexibility built in for longer term tactics. For example, if your annual conference is more than six months away, you likely want to build in a hybrid event component that allows you the flexibility of hosting both virtual and in-person experiences if that is feasible by the time your event takes place.   

What we have seen from associations that have prioritized organizational resilience is an alignment across the leadership team of how they can best focus their limited time and resources to support member needs during this time. For example, as part of their resiliency plan, the American Optometric Association prioritized education as a short-term need and spun up instructional webinars for both members and non-members on things like how to get set up for telemedicine visits, apply for Paycheck Protection Program Loans and more. 

2. Structure your organization to allow for quick decision making 

If living through a global pandemic taught me anything, it’s that I shouldn’t get too invested in my long-term plans. Many of us have had to cancel vacations, postpone weddings and make changes to plans in a condensed time frame. It’s the same for associations and nonprofits that took their annual conference virtual, waived or postponed membership dues and developed digital programming in a matter of weeks or months. 

Find ways to remove the red tape from your decision-making processes so that you can react quickly and efficiently and make the most of opportunities that arise for your organization. In fact, I would suggest that we all carry some of the rapid decision-making skills into a post-COVID world where we can react to members’ needs more quickly, articulate these requests to the board in real time, and translate these into programs and services that deliver real value to your constituents.  

3. Develop a people-first culture where people are empowered 

During the past several months, we’ve all had to reevaluate our organizational culture and think carefully about how we can make it a priority when we are physically separated or working from home offices. While many people feel isolated and anxious due to the pandemic and everything that comes with it, it’s crucial to ensure that staff feels empowered and able to enact change within your association.  

Invest in a leadership strategy that empowers your staff and provides them with continuous education and development opportunities. Encourage your leadership team to position themselves not as managers or approvers but as visionaries, architects and coaches. We need strong leadership to get us through these incredibly challenging times and leaders who enable and inspire will help retain and grow employees during and after the pandemic. 

4. Celebrate wins and share best practices 

It’s been a tough year for so many of us, both personally and professionally. Take time to celebrate wins in your organization, whether they’re big or small. Find opportunities to share best practices and what’s working across your departments. As so many of us have transitioned to engaging and connecting remotely, there are tactics that will resonate across the teams and departments in your organization. 

You can recognize staff for their contributions in team meetings and send a token of appreciation to their home offices to thank them for their support. While we’re all experiencing some Zoom fatigue, virtual happy hours, trivia and scavenger hunts can help strengthen connections with remote colleagues in a time when many are feeling isolated. Consider hosting no-meeting days to thank staff for their hard work and provide a break from video calls. 

5. Leverage technology to support a remote team 

Just like many people have purchased devices, furniture and decor to spruce up their home office, consider the technology that your team needs to enable remote work and collaboration, and to better serve your members. As you work towards organizational resilience, think about how you can integrate your technology tools and data into every aspect of your organization. While budgets are tight during the pandemic, resist the urge to hold onto outdated technology that doesn’t serve your current needs and does not allow you to be agile and efficient. 

The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) supports more than 100,000 superintendents, principals, teachers and advocates across the globe.  The organization has worked hard over the past few months to arm members who are transitioning to remote and hybrid learning environments with education and resources. ASCD staff have leveraged their technology stack to track member interests during COVID and identify trends in order to create opportunities for growth and development in their members’ career plans.  

Want to learn more about organizational resilience? 

Associations and nonprofits that embrace a culture of organizational resilience will not only better weather the effects of the pandemic over the next few months but will also emerge from it with more efficient processes and a clarity of purpose that allows them to take their organizations to new heights in a post-COVID world. And, when the next crisis hits—because at some point, there will be another one—the organization will be able to react and adapt more quickly because they have built a strong foundation and resiliency approach. 

Watch a panel discussion that I hosted with three association professionals who reflect on the past few months and share their lessons learned and achievements from the process of adapting and evolving their organization to respond to COVID-19. Our panelists include: 

• Angel Baltimore, VP of Digital Strategy and Ecommerce at the American Pharmacists Association 
• Jerome Bruce, Director of Meetings and Exhibits at the Association of Government Accountants 
• Molly Hamill, Manager of Exhibit Sales at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions  

During the webinar, we review trends and insights on how associations have adjusted their plans this year, and the panel of experts share how they have adapted, what they would do differently and their plans for the coming year. 

Watch Now

The post 5 Ways to Build Organizational Resilience in Associations and Nonprofits appeared first on Personify.

For many people, the mention of payment processors, gateways or tokens is scarier than a Halloween horror film. Before you run frightfully to your CFO or finance department, hear me out.

We all take for granted the ease and convenience of which we transact for nearly everything in our daily lives. From one-click “buy now” features to recurring payments for donations and utility bills, it is easy to forget the complex network of payment technology and services that allow for a seamless and secure experience in the blink of an eye.

With many physical locations, organizations and businesses shuttered or fully remote during the lockdown, it highlighted the importance of frictionless (and sometimes touchless) transactions. Around the world, consumers are increasingly comfortable with making purchases online (and COVID-19 only further enforced it). Whether you plan events, manage a membership-based organization, or run a nonprofit, revenue and cash flow will always be at the heart of any business. When those members, customers or supporters are ready to sign up, buy a booth or sponsorship at an event, or donate, they want to do it quickly, easily and securely. Organizations that cannot meet this expectation will be increasingly challenged.

In addition, the online payment service lets you know right away if the person making the online payment has sufficient funds to cover the transaction – rather than finding out a week later when the check bounces.

So, where should I start?

There are several terms that are used almost interchangeably when describing payments:

• payment gateway
• payment processor
• payment provider
• payment service or payment system
• merchant account

Though they are distinct, with subtle differences, they all refer to a company, service or application that acts as a financial middleman between you and your customer, and between both of you and your bank accounts. Each facilitates the completion of transactions and the processing of payments.

Here are Some Key Terms to Understand:

Payment gateway

A payment gateway is a service that receives the payment request from your organization and directs it to the payment processor. You can imagine the payment gateway as the digital equivalent of the point-of-sale machine you’d put your card in at the grocery store.

Payment processor

A payment processor is a service that validates the purchaser’s credit card details  (e.g. those of your member, donor or exhibitor/sponsor) and checks if they have sufficient funds in their account to cover the payment. If the customer has enough funds, the transaction is authorized, and the funds are transferred from the customer’s account. The transaction status is transmitted back to the payment gateway, which then sends a status message to your website. The payment processor company may also provide you with the equipment you need to accept in-person payments, such as a card swiper.

Payment provider

A payment provider (or payment service provider) is the company that operates the payment gateway or payment processor services. Some will operate both.

Payment service or payment system

A payment provider offers multiple payment gateways with different features and pricing – each type is referred to as a payment service or payment system.

Merchant account

A merchant account is another important term to understand. When a transaction is successfully completed, the funds are transferred from the purchaser’s account to your merchant account, a special kind of bank account used exclusively to hold funds received from credit and debit card transactions. To accept online payments, you usually need to set up a merchant account with your payment provider. Funds accumulating in your merchant account are transferred to your organization’s bank account regularly.

But what’s the difference between a payment gateway and a payment processor?

Although the terms payment gateway and payment processor are sometimes used interchangeably, they actually refer to different parts of the payments process.

In an online transaction, the payment gateway is what authenticates the customer’s payment, whereas the payment processor is the mechanism that communicates the transaction between the bank and the merchant.

This distinction is important because, in a physical transaction, only the payment processor is needed. In a virtual transaction, however, an extra layer of authentication is necessary.

However, to make it even more confusing, the payment gateway and payment processor are sometimes combined into a single service known by either name. Some companies will manage both sides of the process, whereas others only handle one.

I have heard about credit card tokens. What are they and why should I care?

Credit card tokens are a randomly generated value to replace the actual credit card number. In a growing era of credit card fraud and data breaches, tokenization is an excellent way to meet PCI compliance and keep your customer’s data safe. Learn more about this topic from our Vice President of Cyber Security and Compliance, Chris Xenos.

How do online payments work?

To fully understand how online payments work, let’s follow a transaction from start to finish. In this way, you can see how your website, your member or exhibitor, and your payment service provider all interact.

To get started with online payment processing, you typically need a merchant account and an account with a payment service provider and a web page with a call to action button (e.g. Join, Donate, Buy, Sponsor) that initiates the transaction process. Once you have set up your web page and connected it to an online payment system, visitors to your site will be able to pay online for products or services. The online payment process begins when the visitor clicks the button to pay online for membership fees or an exhibit booth or make a donation or purchase something from your online store. On the online payment form that appears, the visitor enters their credit card information and submits the transaction request. Depending on your online payment service provider, the form may appear on your website, or your purchaser may be redirected to a form on your service provider’s website. The transaction request, along with the credit card information entered by the purchaser, is securely transmitted to the payment gateway operated by your payment service provider. The information is encrypted so that no one – including you – can view the purchaser’s personal and financial information.

Suppose the purchaser’s credentials are valid and there are sufficient funds to complete the transaction. In that case, your payment service provider will initiate a transfer of funds from the purchaser’s bank account to the merchant account associated with your website and notify your website that the transaction has been approved. Depending on how your website is set up, that information can be used to update records on your site automatically (e.g. update your membership management or event management system). If the transaction is declined for any reason – such as invalid credentials or insufficient funds – no funds will be transferred, but status information will still be sent to your website.

Want to learn more?  Watch our on-demand webinar!

The post Payments, Tokens, Gateways, OH MY! appeared first on Personify.

A 2019 Global NGO Technology Report found that 48% of nonprofits in the U.S. increased technology spending in 2019. Similarly, a recent report by NTEN found that 56% of respondents from nonprofit organizations implement a new cloud service in just the last year.

If you’re adding new technology or migrating a current system to the cloud, your team may have a number of questions and potential concerns about the process. How long will it take to implement? How much will it cost? When will my organization reap the benefits, whether that’s a growth in membership, increased donations, or a less cumbersome process for staff?

Buying new technology for nonprofits and associations can be an overwhelming process, whether you’re adding a tool to your existing technology stack or replacing core systems that serve as your organization’s source of truth. But it doesn’t have to be.

Here are 5 steps to make the buying process more streamlined, efficient and enjoyable:

1. Align on your Strategy Upfront

Have you ever gathered your team for a product demo or meeting with a vendor only to learn that you have wildly different ideas about the scope of the product and problems that it will solve within your organization? If so, the vendor meeting was likely far less productive than you intended.

Before you meet with any vendors, take time to connect with departmental stakeholders beyond the buying committee. Outline the teams and departments that will be using the technology. This can and should include staff that are creating new member and donor profiles and signing up people for programs, executive members who are leveraging the data to develop insights and drive forward the organization, and event staff who are planning your annual conference. Are these individuals represented in the committee that is compiling your needs and goals for the new system or tool?

When gathering this information, evaluate the business processes that are needed to effectively use your new technology. This exercise creates an opportunity to reevaluate legacy business processes and areas of inefficiency.

How to make it fun? Consider a non-traditional format to brainstorm your goals and strategy for the new technology. For example, Lean Coffee is a structured, but agenda-less meeting format where participants gather and build an agenda together democratically. Depending on the size of the group, you could also have participants’ favorite coffee beverage ready for pickup at their local coffee shop on the morning of the meeting.

2. Outline Your Needs and Requirements

Once you’ve got a strategy in place, start building a list of requirements that takes into account the goals and objectives of each area of the business and their wish list of what they hope to achieve with the new system.

For example, if you are shopping for a new Association Management System (AMS), your membership team’s wish list may include the ability to support complex membership and event types and robust reporting on membership trends. If you’re shopping for an online community, your events team may need to be able to host virtual events within the platform and segment users by their membership type. Your executive team will need to be able to document the ROI and see data insights showing how the tool supports the organization’s goals. And, your IT team will want to know how the tool keeps member, volunteer or donor data safe from cybersecurity attacks and can integrate and share data with other tools in your technology stack.

How to make it fun? Consider hosting a supermarket sweep-style game for participants to identify what’s most important to them in the list of requirements. Instead of groceries, you can print out potential features and benefits for a new piece of technology. Your buying committee is then timed and has to “run through the supermarket” and quickly pick the features/benefits that are most important to them. You can then hold a discussion at the end where you prioritize these across the group.

3. Build Your Proposal

Once you have a clear understanding of your organization’s needs and specific criteria, you’ll be ready to start crafting a request for proposal (RFP) or a request for information (RFI) that describes your objectives, requirements and questions for potential vendors.

An RFP or RFI is important because it clearly articulates your needs to vendors and establishes a baseline against which you’ll measure all proposals that are submitted. It also identifies the scope of the project and details all functional and system requirements that are needed to achieve your goals. It creates transparency around the process for evaluating submissions, how different features or benefits will be weighed and what types of information is needed from the vendor.

How to make it fun? While an RFP doesn’t stand for “really fun process,” that doesn’t mean it has to be boring and vanilla. When evaluating technology for nonprofits, many RFPs ask the same generic questions over and over such as, “What relevant experience do you have?” and “Do you have case studies to share?” While these are important, consider unique questions such as, “What’s something you believe in that some of your peers may disagree with” or “What risks do you feel are present that we haven’t included in the RFP?”

4. Select Your Technology Vendor

Your hard work has paid off and now you have multiple responses to review. Which will be the best fit for your organization? To create an effective process for selecting your vendor, we recommend you bring your cross-departmental team of subject-matter experts back together to ensure the needs of all departments are being met by the proposals that have been submitted. Filter out any proposals that do not meet the requirements you shared in your RFP.

For the remaining proposals, evaluate each one based on the qualifications and ranked importance that you previously aligned on with the team. You can then set up product demos (virtual or in-person) with your top vendors to answer additional questions and have a better understanding on how the technology will meet your needs.

Based on your evaluations of each vendor’s technical offering and proposed price, information obtained during due diligence, and any presentations or demonstrations, rank the proposals and then select the one that provides the best value.

How to make it fun? Add some spice to the standard product demo process by requesting your vendors to show off their skillsets in new and interesting ways. You can ask your vendors to structure their demo around a particular theme such as, “What kind of superhero would your technology be, and why?” Bonus points if your vendors show up in costume.

5. Get Ready to Implement

It’s not over once you’ve chosen a vendor. Implementing new technology for nonprofits and associations is most effective when you have a carefully planned process, timeline and list of stakeholders to make sure that the relationship with your new vendor starts off on the right foot.

To set yourself up for success, we recommend documenting both the before and after processes prior to implementation. Leverage flow charts to mark the steps that will be conducted in-person versus online. Develop a communications strategy for each of the internal groups that will be affected by the implementation and/or migration process and how the implementation team will support them at each step. The word “support” is key here.

Implementing new technology requires a lot of change whether it’s to your business processes, your passwords, the departments involved, etc. Look for things that you can carry over—when it makes sense—from your current approach and build in time for people to get up to speed and feel confident with the new technology.

How to make it fun? Eliciting feedback is an important part of the implementation process. Instead of hosting a meeting on Zoom or in a conference room, create a series of happy hours or coffee breaks for the implementation team and involved stakeholders to share what’s working and any issues they’re running into throughout the process. Invite the project manager or implementation staff from your new software vendor to give both groups a chance to get to know each other and build trust.

Technology for Nonprofits & Associations: Want a Deeper Dive into the Buying Process?

These five steps are a good place to start when thinking about investing in new technology for your organization, but there’s much more to consider. Want to learn more?

Join me as I share a step-by-step process and key considerations for choosing new technology for nonprofits and associations that includes all of the appropriate internal and external stakeholders.

During the session, we’ll explore concepts in:

• Strategy: Why it’s crucial to internally align on your strategy before talking to vendors
• Requirements: How to establish and define your technology needs, and when to conduct a gap analysis
• Proposals: What a well-drafted RFP or RFI should look like, and when to use them
• Demos and Selection: What to ask and who to include in product demos and your selection process
• Implementation: How to make the transition more efficient, effective and easier on your team

Watch Now

The post Technology for Nonprofits & Associations: 5 Steps to Make the Buying Process Less Painful and More Fun appeared first on Personify.

I had the opportunity to serve as a mentor at this event and worked with a group of seven girls to bring their startup idea to fruition. The group I worked with developed a concept of a vending machine and food redistribution network that would allow fellow students and restaurants in the area to donate and repackage unused food in an effort to ensure no student goes hungry.

According to Feeding America, 17.9% of children experience food insecurity, which means that they experience limited or uncertain availability of safe, nutritious food at some point during the year. While I’m aware of food insecurity issues and the concerns about lunch shaming happening in school cafeterias, I was surprised and heartened to learn that these middle-school students have the same concerns and want to alleviate these issues for their fellow students.

Latinitas is an Austin-based nonprofit organization that aims to empower all girls through media and technology and the Startup Chica Conference is one of many ways in which the organization achieves its goals. During the event, the team of girls I worked with leveraged a SWOT analysis to prove out the concept, developed reporting to understand the costs involved and profit margin and created a logo and tagline as part of the marketing plan.

The panel of judges scored each team based on the startup concept, presentation, public speaking skills and overall knowledge of the idea. In my role as mentor, I worked with the group of girls to help develop and expand the startup idea, integrate feedback from the judges through the process and shared details about my career including why I chose to work in the technology sector and what I do on a daily basis.

During the conference, I was amazed and blown away by the creativity, compassion and raw intelligence my team of Chicas displayed. Although our team was not selected as the grand prize winner, I think that we all left the event feeling like winners because of the team’s hard work and passion for this project.

One of the reasons I enjoy working at Personify is that not only do we get to work with nonprofit and association clients that are making the world a better place but also that our employees are able to take time to volunteer at organizations that align with our passions and interests. I absolutely cannot wait to work with Latinitas again in the future.

The post Volunteer Spotlight: Austin-Based Nonprofit Latinitas appeared first on Personify.

Personify has been a longtime partner of Blackbaud and we are pleased to return to bbcon this year. You can meet with the Personify team at one of our two education sessions or stop by booth #400 in the expo hall. We’re also the official sponsor of the headshot lounge so I encourage folks to get a new headshot taken for your website or social media platforms while you’re at the conference. 

Looking at the conference agenda and list of breakout sessions, there are a wealth of opportunities to gain knowledge and best practices. Here are some of the sessions that I’m most looking forward to attending: 

Emerging Tech Trends and Their Impact on Social Good 

Tuesday, October 15, 2019 from 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM 

Join Blackbaud product and innovation leaders along with Amy Shope Manzi from the American Heart Association as they examine technology trends and innovations affecting social good organizations and those who support them. We’ll give an overview of emerging trends and discuss how to prepare for upcoming technology changes. 

Educate, Empower, and Connect Your Constituents Through An Online Community 

Tuesday, October 15, 2019 from 2:45 PM – 3:30 PM 

Personify’s Benjamin Morton and Forté’s Krystal Brooks will share how to increase engagement and extend your organization’s programs with an online community. This session will provide tips that other nonprofits can implement while showing how Forté uses its community to empower women who are pursuing MBAs. 

Right Message, Right Person, Right Channel: Direct Marketing Analytics at the National Park Foundation 

Wednesday, October 16, 2019 from 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM 

Constant experimentation is how the National Park Foundation drives engagement through its extensive direct marketing programs. Join this session to hear from John Wilburn, director of direct response at the National Park Foundation, about how he’s using advanced analytics to drive strategy and deliver results.  

Connect Your Audience and Drive Engagement With An Online Community 

Wednesday, October 16, 2019 from 6:10 PM – 6:30 PM 

Personify’s Benjamin Morton will provide an overview of online communities and share how nonprofit organizations can leverage them to achieve success for their organization. Learn how the Canadian Cancer Society supports people who are affected by cancer via the Cancer Connection community and how Forté empowers women who are pursuing MBAs through the Forté Connect community, both of which are powered by the Personify Community platform. 

Peer-to-Peer Freakonomics: The Surprising Decisions People Make When Donating to Nonprofits 

Thursday, October 17, 2019 from 8:30 AM – 9:15 AM 

Peer-to-Peer Freakonomics will teach you to look at your fundraisers through the lens of consumer behavior. The topic was inspired by the 2005 book Freakonomics, which chronicled how ignoring conventional wisdom often results in better outcomes. Some of what you’ll learn will seem counterintuitive. 

If you’re planning to attend bbcon, learn more about the activities we have planned for the conference, schedule a meeting with our team and find out how you can enter to win a trip to PersoniFest 2020. 

The post What We’re Looking Forward to at bbcon 2019 appeared first on Personify.

September 23, 2019 – Austin, Texas – Personify, Inc. (“Personify”), the market-leading provider of technology solutions for associations, nonprofits and organizations of all kinds, today announced that registration has opened for PersoniFest, which will take place April 5-8, 2020, at the Broadmoor hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo. PersoniFest is the leading conference for associations, nonprofits, event professionals, YMCAs and JCCs.  

The 2020 event will be the 21st anniversary of PersoniFest and it will include three days of education, networking, professional development and entertainment. The PersoniFest agenda will include program tracks that are dedicated to executives, marketing, events, membership, finance and IT professionals and many sessions will be eligible for Certified Association Executive (CAE), Certified Exhibition Management (CEM) and Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits. Registration is now open with an all access pass available for $995.  

Personify has also opened the Call for Proposals for the conference. Sponsors, clients and industry partners are encouraged to submit an idea to speak at the conference. Submissions are due on Oct. 15 and confirmed speakers will receive a discounted price for an all access pass.  

“We’re thrilled to host PersoniFest 2020 at the historic Broadmoor hotel next year,” said Teresa Zimmerman, Vice President of Marketing. “The conference is a tremendous opportunity to bring together our clients, staff, partners and friends to share best practices and design next generation experiences for their constituents.” 

For additional information on PersoniFest or to register, visit www.personifest.com.   

About Personify 

Personify is the market-leading Constituent Management and Engagement (CME) platform that empowers organizations to better engage their constituents, maximize revenue and optimize operations. For over 20 years, Personify has served as the technology foundation for organizations of all sizes including associations, nonprofits, tradeshow organizers, YMCAs and JCCs. For more information, visit https://personifycorp.com/  

The post Personify Opens Registration for 2020 PersoniFest appeared first on Personify.

I’m excited to share that we recently launched a podcast called Planet Leadership where I get to do that and much more.

Why I Created Planet Leadership

I’ve been working with entrepreneurs, CEOs and some of the largest associations and nonprofits for several years. It occurred to me that I don’t think that anyone is out there telling their stories and discussing the challenges they face, especially in the association and nonprofit market. I made the decision to call the podcast—Planet Leadership—because we feature stories about leaders who are trying to change the planet every day, and in many different ways. They are advocating upon behalf of their members to Congress, providing development and training opportunities to grow their industry and profession, curing diseases, eradicating poverty, protecting our environment, creating new companies and more.

I also work in the private equity world. Some people don’t understand how private equity works and may even have some concerns and questions about the role that private equity plays in both the nonprofit market and the commercial sector. I think there are a lot of great things happening with private equity so I’m excited to bring people from that world on the podcast to explain how it’s shaping organizations of all kinds.

We’ll talk to CEOs, executive directors and leaders who may not have a big title but are doing compelling things for their organization and driving transformation. I’ll ask these leaders things like- How do you build a great culture? What’s important to think about when building a great team? How are you scaling your organization? Why have you initiated a change in leadership? When leaders are successful, what are they doing to move the needle for their organization?

A Focus on Leadership Journeys

I will be sharing stories from some amazing Personify clients who have really interesting stories about their leadership journeys. But this podcast is not just about the association and nonprofit sector. It’s not about Personify. It’s about sharing the leadership journeys of individuals who are enacting meaningful change. And, I’m excited to give some of my colleagues, partners, friends and influencers in the market an opportunity to share how they got to where they are today and their advice for other leaders.

I’ll also reveal some details about my leadership journey. In fact, we spend time talking about it in the first episode. I’ve had several people ask me what it’s like to be a CEO and run a mid-size software company. We’ve gone through a significant transformation at Personify including rearchitecting our product structure and we have bought companies from entrepreneurs who have been really successful. I’ll share the process that we have gone through when we’re acquiring a new company and let the entrepreneurs from the companies we have acquired discuss how they built and grew their organization.

Who We’ll Speak With

We’ll come out with new episodes of Planet Leadership every other week. On the podcast, we’ll feature entrepreneurs, association executives, nonprofit leaders, private equity folks and much more. These are people who are trying to make a difference in the world and do something great. Here is a sneak peek at some of the upcoming interviewees:

• Amy Porter, founder of AffiniPay, a payments technology solution for associations, law firms and accounting organizations.
• Matt Ott, founder of the nonprofit organization Black Fret that supports local musicians in Austin.
• Loretta Deluca, founder and CEO of Delcor, an organization that partners with associations and nonprofits on their technology strategy.
• Michael Wilson, founder of the company Small World Labs (which is now Personify Community) that was created to connect nonprofits and people with disabilities
• Susan Robertson, interim executive director of ASAE, the organization for association management.
• Other leaders that have a great story to tell

Wherever you get your podcasts, I encourage you to go out and subscribe to Planet Leadership. I’m excited to be on this journey and hope that you’ll join me in learning from our amazing leaders that will share their stories.

Listen to the Latest Episode

The post Planet Leadership: the Podcast for Associations, Nonprofits & Entrepreneurs appeared first on Personify.