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Prototyping |
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Jan 12, 2009
Being a part of the product development process for three different companies in the 90s and early 2000s, I was shocked at how much money they spent on things they really had no clear feedback from actual users. Part of the reason for this lack of research was that there was just so many resources available to us. Investors and venture capital firms were just pouring money into dot coms with nothing more than a snazzy business plan. Today, even well funded companies don't have the luxury of endless resources. This forces us to realize that we don't have all the right answers, and it forces us to ask our customers questions. And try out new things with our customers. The result is a product that isn't perfect, but evolves quickly. Companies like Google are really embracing this model of bringing products to market quicker and hence getting feedback from customers quicker. Which means the product grows and becomes more useful. And isn't this the goal. I don't want to create a product that needs a lot of marketing to sell it. I want to create products that are useful! Products that are really needed...products that actually sell themselves.
I recently read an article at Small Business Guru defining this new type of product development as a prototype business model. The article gives some great perspective on why prototyping is so critical for organizations today. It is true for us at Associo Software, but it is also true for associations. Is your association embracing prototyping to find new and innovative ways to meet your member's needs? If you don't, how will you stay relevant? How will your services really stay useful, even necessary? In a down economy, associations are seeing their members cut budgets and some decide to cut out money that would be going to the associations for training or even for member dues. Now more than ever you need to make sure what you do is mission critical to your members. I don't know anyway other way of doing this than trying new things and getting lots of feedback. It seems we all need to embrace the business model of prototyping. |
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Listening to Your Customers Takes Effort |
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Dec 3, 2008
I recently read an article on CNet News talking about how Dell found themselves behind in selling their hardware products to large data centers. They also realized that they routinely lost money to even get the business they had. So, they asked some tough questions of themselves, and they started asking their customers or potential customers some questions. It turns out that data center clients wanted a completely different product than what they were offering. Dell started to realized that by taking features way from their product, it actually became more useful and less expensive -- both big wins in terms of attracting new business.
Isn't it shocking how well we think we know our customers, only to find out after we start asking questions that we really don't know them at all? Who would have thought that taking features away would make a product more appealing. Learn to continually ask your members what services they want added. But also, don't be afraid to ask what services they don't want or don't need! |
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RFP Template |
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Oct 13, 2008
As much as we love it when associations just want to use us as their database vendor, it always makes us a little nervious. We know that we are a really good fit for lots of associations, but there are times when we are not the best fit. And even if we are the best software for your association, you better have good documentation showing why you think any software package is the best for your needs. But there are many organizations that don't follow good process in evaluating potential options for a new piece of software. Be sure you go through a disciplined evaluation of vendors. Here is an article we posted recently that gives you a step by step strategy to making a good choice for your association management software. Also, attached to this posting is our RFP template we give to assocations as a starting point for creating their own request for proposal.
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Email Overload |
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Oct 13, 2008
We've all had those email threads that seem to resemble a ping pong match more than an effective discussion. You know, those emails that have 16 replies back and forth to a colleague that you can walk 10 steps to go talk to? I've had a couple where I've been tempted to pick up the phone and talk to someone, only to restrain myself from making direct contact in the name of efficiency (or stubborness). Email is supposed to increase our effectiveness, but sometimes I wonder. Recently, I started closing my email program for a couple hours at a time. Every time I do this, I've been amazed at the amount of work that I can accomplish. I've been so astonished at the results, that I've continued to schedule times in my week where there are no interruptions. I thought I was really onto something, something new that everyone should no about....YOU CAN TURN YOUR EMAIL OFF! It turns out many companies are encouraging their employees to do this. Here is a USA Today article describing what some are calling "e-mail-free". |
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Issues facing associations |
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Oct 10, 2008
I recently read an article by Wes Trochlil at Effective Database Management titled, "What's Plaguing Associations 2008". Wes always has great information for associations as they are trying to make good technology decisions. In his informal survey he took from 100 association executives, he found three main issues that are weighing heavily on them: system integration, data integrity, and software system selection/implementation. In my far less researched understanding, I would agree these are the major issues facing the associations I've been in contact with recently.
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The "Farm it Out" Strategy |
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Sep 29, 2008
We've seen a growing trend with smaller and even mid-size associations trying to split up their association software to different best of breed vendors. As an example, their event management might be outsourced to Cvent. For their billing and contact management they would use Act. For accounting they would use Quickbooks and for their website content management they would use a local web developer and pay him by the hour or on a contract basis to update things. Is this a good idea? Read our strategic analysis on this strategy for your association management software.
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Search Engine Optimization Overview |
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Sep 10, 2008
This is an article we wrote to help our clients optimize their site for higher search engine rankings. Our clients always see a dramatic increase in their search engine rankings by going through the suggestions in this document. We've seen people go from a rank of 1,000 to a #1 in a particular search phrase. It does take a bit of time to work through each of the items in the list, but it is definitely worth the effort. |
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What is a Blog? |
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Aug 14, 2008
This is a presentation that we made a number of months ago. It is in powerpoint format, so it might not be as helpful as if it where actually written as an article. We've received lots of good feedback, so we will just post it as is and hope that it is useful. |
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