sarah sladek

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. 

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Millennials (also known as Generation Y) are the largest and most-researched generation in history…as well as the most criticized. Unfortunately, research shows that age discrimination is alive and well in the workplace and membership organizations. Many fail to realize that Millennials (and eventually Gen Z!) are the lifeblood of your organization that will carry it into the future. This week’s episode discusses how your association can make room at the table for NextGen members and create a community where inclusion and belonging are the status quo. 

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To stay on a forward trajectory, you’ve got to look ahead! The past can teach us valuable lessons, but with dated membership approaches, you risk becoming irrelevant to current and prospective members. To keep your member base engaged (and your organization growing!), your association needs to stay ahead of the curve and on top of the latest industry trends. It’s time to modernize by leaving the past behind and shifting your focus towards what’s on the horizon!

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Is your association sharing the latest buzz with your members? Just like every bee has a role in the hive, you and your members play an important part in your association's overall operations, which includes sharing all of the incredible achievements taking place! Oftentimes, associations choose to help their communities behind the scenes, avoiding “unnecessary” recognition or attention. It’s time to abandon this mindset and take on a new approach that will garner buzz and momentum while attracting new members to your hive. 

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Your organization might find itself with little flexibility when it comes to leadership, members, and initiatives. It’s time for leadership to bend their approach and start stretching! In this week’s episode, we look at how a carefully curated board of directors can boost productivity and profitability, resulting in a more engaged (and involved!) membership. Tune in!

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Every week, it seems as though a newer, faster phone comes onto the market, with the promise of exclusive features and access to more information. You may not realize it, but this tiny piece of technology and your association share more in common than you may think. In this week’s episode of the Membership IQ, we dial into your membership mission and look at how a future-focused, member-centric model can lead to a more engaged membership community, keeping your association one step ahead of the rest.   

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What drives people to join organizations? You may think it’s the perks you offer or the networking and programming opportunities you provide, but don’t be fooled by those illusions! Rather, members will join your organization because they genuinely believe you’ve got the magic to solve their problems. To be effective in today’s rapidly changing world, you need to understand the way to your member’s hearts. This week’s episode of the Membership IQ explores the relationship between workforce and membership decline and how you can remedy it - no magic tricks necessary!

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There exists a widespread misconception that “young people don’t join” membership organizations. Perhaps your association has struggled with a similar mindset. I’m here to debunk this “membership myth” and share with you the ways in which you can recruit (and retain!) young members. Tune in to this week’s episode of the Membership IQ, as we discuss how the cycle of engagement has evolved for young people over the last century and its lasting impact on membership organizations. I provide three key strategies that will transform how you attract and engage NextGen members, making that “membership myth” a thing of the past.  

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An organization is as good as its value proposition. What kind of value are you offering your members? Do they leave the table feeling like they have been dealt a good hand? It’s time organizations assess the changes that need to be made and strategize to turn the odds in their - and their members - favor. Tune in to this week’s episode as we discuss how your organization can make your members feel like a valuable part of the deal!

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A great recipe is one that uses quality ingredients, made with special care and attention, and loved by all who try it. The culture within your organization isn’t much different from that amazing dish that draws everyone to the table. What many associations don’t realize is that a great strategic plan is no match for negative culture, hence the saying “culture eats strategy for breakfast.” In this week’s episode, we take a look at how the right combination of ingredients can foster truly great culture within your association, leaving your members energized and craving more of what your organization has to offer!

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Studies show that 80% of your organizational work should be mission-critical and member-centric, but that is usually not the case for most associations. Executives tend to wear too many hats that leave them distracted and losing sight of their mission. How are you spending your time as a leader and is it truly dedicated to your member-centric mission? In this week’s episode, we will help you determine whether your focus is directed in the right places and how you can keep your eye on the ball and better serve your members!

Visit us at sarahsladek.com