The Membership IQ with Sarah Sladek

Join host Sarah Sladek on a journey to unlock membership engagement and understand the profound difference between treating memberships like mere products and recognizing them as emotional commitments. Through candid discussions and expert insights, we explore how membership isn't just a transaction but an opportunity to foster deep connections, a sense of belonging, and true ownership. Discover the power of emotional engagement and revolutionize your approach to membership, ensuring lasting retention and growth. Tune in to 'Unlocking Membership Engagement - It’s NOT a Product' and embark on a transformative membership journey like never before.

In this episode of Membership IQ, join host Sarah Sladek as she delves into the crucial topic of thriving through recessions within membership organizations. With her wealth of experience in working with associations, Sarah sheds light on the often overlooked 80% principle – a strategy that could make all the difference during economic downturns. She emphasizes the significance of focusing 80% of resources, time, and energy exclusively on members, fostering a strong membership culture and experience. By prioritizing members' needs and continuously providing value, associations can weather the storm of recessions and even see an increase in membership during crisis periods. Sarah's insights and practical advice on implementing a successful membership strategy make this episode a must-listen for anyone involved in membership organizations, whether they're currently facing a recession or preparing for the future. Tune in and get smart about membership strategies that stand the test of economic challenges. 

Welcome to "Failure... *Soooo* Delicious!: Embracing Innovation in Associations," the Membership IQ podcast hosted by Sarah Sladek. In this unscripted and authentic show, Sarah explores the power of failure and how it can drive innovation and growth within associations. Join her as she shares personal anecdotes, including a personal conversation with an association CEO, and discusses the benefits of taking risks and stepping outside of your comfort zone. Get ready to mix up a steaming hot bowl of failure and uncover the hidden opportunities it holds. Bon appetit!

Join Sarah Sladek, recently recognized as a Woman Who Advances Associations, as she delves deep into the challenges of discrimination, from gender to age, and explores the progress made so far. From outdated bylaws to personal experiences, she uncovers the need for true cultural change within associations and go beyond token recognition. It's time to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect and at every level of your organization. Tune in to gain insights, challenge norms, and embark on the transformative journey toward a truly inclusive society.

Join host Sarah Sladek on an insightful journey as she explores the impact of globalization and technology on membership associations on this episode of the Membership IQ podcast. Discover how associations worldwide are facing similar challenges, from engaging younger generations to addressing the workforce crisis. Through compelling anecdotes about her experiences in Holland and the lessons learned from the beloved Stroopwafel, Sarah emphasizes the need for associations to adapt and modernize in a rapidly changing marketplace. Gain valuable insights and actionable strategies to meet the expectations of members in an interconnected world. It's time to step up, break free from outdated models, and shape the future of associations.

Join Sarah Sladek on the Membership IQ podcast, where you'll learn how to improve your membership game. From overcoming fears and obstacles (such as Sarah's first time snorkeling) to achieving success, she shares her expertise and insights to help associations and organizations reach their full potential. Tune in to hear about the Ghosts and Legends exercise, best practices, and inspiring stories of membership triumph. 

In this episode, Sarah talks about how membership has evolved over the years and how recognition plays a crucial role in it. She shares her own experience of receiving a pin for her 10th anniversary of membership, which made her think about the lack of outreach by the association towards its members. Tune in to learn more about the importance of recognition and how it can impact membership! #MembershipIQ #Recognition #MembershipEvolution

We are in an era of disruption. Our models, hierarchies, and practices are being called into question because there is a call for change. Our world is becoming more individualized, more diverse.  In this week’s episode of the MIQ, I’m sharing best practices for how your organization can embrace change in this fluid environment.

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In my work as a researcher and consultant, I’ve found that nearly all associations have struggled to attract Gen-Xers. To understand why we need to look at how this generation came of age and what they value most. 

In this week’s episode of the MIQ, I’m sharing three ways to start engaging this generation and the important role they play in your organization’s future. 

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How do you approach change? With acceptance - or something quite the opposite?

In this episode of the Membership IQ podcast, Sarah Sladek uses the weather as a metaphor for the many unexpected, uncontrollable changes that occur in our lives. She reminds her audience that resistance to change is not only futile but creating a culture of resistance also creates many problems within the organization. To optimize your association’s forecast, it’s time to accept change!

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Messaging matters! In this week’s episode of the Membership IQ, Sarah Sladek explains how some associations are giving members and prospective members the wrong impression. Drawing upon her work as a former journalist and member strategist, she shares examples of messaging and marketing tactics that tend to backfire - and which ones work effectively! Sladek reminds her audience of association leaders they are always on stage, representing the association's membership and brand. 

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As the expression goes, “hindsight is 2020.” We’ve learned a lot in the past few years about how to pivot, but has it informed what your association is doing to plan ahead? In this week’s episode of the Membership IQ, I share a valuable exercise that has helped countless organization leaders improve their overall vision. You’ll learn how, with a few simple steps, you can be better prepared for what lies ahead and be the go-to resource for your members. 

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As an association leader, advocating for your organization is one of your top priorities. What many associations don’t realize is that advocacy as we once knew it may not be as effective anymore. Young people today are approaching problems as social entrepreneurs, building a following through grassroots activism, social media, and online platforms. Not all heroes wear capes, and your NextGen members are truly the unsung heroes of your operation. As such, they should play an integral role in your advocacy efforts - listen in to this week’s episode to learn how you can leverage their superpowers!

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Many association leaders don’t realize it, but being mindful of your members’ experiences is the secret to growing your community. This week, I’m sharing five key ways that your association can curate a unique, memorable membership experience that will make your organization stand out in the marketplace, attracting members that will continually reinvest in all you have to offer.

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As an association leader, member satisfaction is one of your top priorities. Oftentimes, new ideas can clash with established traditions, leaving your membership base at odds with one another. In this week’s episode, I am sharing how you can solve disparities between your more seasoned members and NextGen populations by creating a solid succession plan and looking at membership data trends. The ball is in your court: are you ready to ace the game of membership?

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Let’s face it - change can be scary! Sometimes, we can’t predict change (hello, pandemic!) and your association needs to be prepared with the right approach. In this week’s episode, I’m discussing how to leverage change, using it as an opportunity to help your organization evolve. You’ll learn how the right mindset and a little bit of strategizing can help your association effectively address change, embrace it, and attract new members in the process!

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As an association leader, you’ve likely discovered that the road to success will have some bumps along the way. Your final destination? Growing your membership community and providing a robust experience for your members! In this week’s episode, I am discussing the three roadblocks that organizations commonly encounter that can take you down a path toward disengagement and membership decline. I am also going to share how you can navigate past these barriers with caution to create a powerful and lasting legacy for your association’s future. 

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We are celebrating twenty years of business this month! Over the past two decades, I’ve discovered what makes membership organizations thrive - and struggle to survive. In this week’s episode, I discuss how you can effectively combat membership decline by cultivating a sense of community amongst your members. “Equity,” “diversity,” and “inclusion” have become buzzwords in the association world, but belonging is an important fourth that often gets overlooked. I’ve got the tips and tricks to inspire your members, leaving them feeling engaged, welcomed, and valued in your membership community. 

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Negativity can drain the energy from almost any environment, and your association is no exception! As a leader, the attitude you model is reflected in your organization. In this week’s episode, we discuss the role positivity plays in making your association more attractive to prospective members. If it’s time to build momentum within your organization, I’ve got the tools to get you started. 

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From a young age, we’ve had nursery rhymes memorized that we pass down to younger generations. As the leader of an organization, I want you to commit this acronym to memory: EIOU! I developed this initialism to help associations attract, retain, and engage their members. In this week’s episode of the Membership IQ, we discuss how the EIOU tool can support your organization’s efforts to drive meaningful change and bolster your member-focused mission. 

Visit us at sarahsladek.com