Delegating Effectively

MSAE's Young Professionals Networking Group had a lively discussion about Delegating Effectively and why it's an important skill to learn.

Delegating is a skill that takes practice, communication and follow through.  

Here are the top takeaways:

1. Are you delegating or dumping?  If you are delegating that means you are still held responsible for the task to be completed.
2. Delegating is important as it shows your ability to manage people, tasks and using your resources.  It gives practical and professional benefits.

What hinders someone to delegate?

1. Lack of staff/volunteers to delegate to
2. Time
3. Trust
4. Training
5. Work Styles
6. Fear of Letting Go, Control
7. Lack of follow up, checking in or follow through
8. Lack of authority to delegate

Tasks that are good to delegate are those that are reoccurring.  If a task is never going to be repeated, consider if it should just be completed or delegated.

Follow up is one of the most important parts of delegating. Give deadlines. Schedule touch base meetings. Have the person you are delegating to set the touch base agenda so all of their questions, concerns and touch points are covered.

Other delegating points:

• Delegate the objective, not the procedure.
• Give deadlines, simply saying "when you have time to complete" is not going to work.  There are no clear expectations of the task.
• Give credit and be sure to say thank you.
• Communication is key - know the person you are delegating to and properly explain task.
• Allow for a different view, approach and be open to new solutions you may not have thought of.
• Think long term. Training someone now, can save time in the future.

And remember the difference between delegating a task or dumping a task!

The Art of Membership

MSAE’s Membership Networking Group met to discuss Sheri Jacobs’ book “The Art of Membership”. We had an insightful discussion on the value of social influence and the importance of engagement.

Top Takeaways:

1. Get rid of Early Bird deals. Price for events goes up every week.  

2. The Orange Bow Tie. Recognize the engaged and committed members at events with something special.

3. Continue to check in with your members. Remind your members to update their profiles, to tell you what they need and how they want to be communicated with.

4. Remind people what they can take advantage of. Always be promoting your free resources.

A new resource we recently came across is the Association Management page on reddit. Find a variety of articles on all things associations.  

Our next meeting will take place at MSAE’s Networking Group Day on January 27. The meeting to follow will be March 10.

Meeting Promotion Ideas

MSAE's Meeting Management & Education Networking Group met to discuss meeting promotions (i.e. discounts, scholarships, BOGO, etc.).  Here are the top takeaways:

1. Host a 5K to raise money for scholarships. Sole Motion is a company that can help you coordinate the event for a fee. Make it a family event and have on a Saturday.
2. Add a line to contribute to the scholarship fund with dues renewals
3. Consider a different pricing model for a conference – one price for an organization versus individual – goal is to build relationships with others in the organization, not just the top contact – don’t offer food or either you will lose money.  Download samples here.

The Customization & Segmentation of Data

MSAE's Communications Networking Group, led by Tara Loftus of Adapta Interactive came together to discuss the book "Custom Nation" by Anthony Flynn and how we can apply the principles of a custom world to the association community.  Here are top takeaways from the meeting.

Everyone.  I mean everyone is accustomed to a a customized world.  Need an example?  Here are a few:

1. Why buy a CD, when you can go on iTunes and purchase your favorite song?
2. Don't need to watch a channel for your favorite show anymore, just get it on Netflix.
3. Music. Sick of waiting for the right music on your station?  Head to Pandora.

Everything is customized.  From your experience at a restaurant like Chipotle, to your phone case and coffee you just grabbed from Caribou. We live in a world of instant gratification.

What can a custom experience lead to?

1. Free publicity
2. Customers/members paying higher prices
3. Free market research
4. More sales, especially repeat business
5. Stronger online presence
6. Customer loyalty

So how can all of this apply to associations?  Well the challenge comes as most associations don't have a product, they have a service.  Here are some ideas the Communications Networking Group came up with on how to customize your association experience:

1. Create a "build your own membership"
2. Give your members what they need, not what they ask for
3. Give your members things they didn't think about
4. Avoid too many choices, it can be overwhelming
5. Provide recommendations, favorites guides or layout a process in easy to follow steps
6. Give your members the options of picking a finished package as a starting point. Provide them with the basics and let them build it from there.

How do you get started?  Use a test group. Ask members what they want. Give presentations to a small group of your new ideas. Just go for it! Create the buzz.

Buzz worthy headlines that associations can fill in the blanks...

"It's now possible to have a completely customized ______________"
"A new website, ______________ allows members to create their very own _________ and _________"

Ask yourself... "How do you shop?" "How do you want to shop?"

What experience can you offer to your members that is custom and keeps them coming back for more?

Led by: Tara Loftus, Adapta Interactive

Marketing & Sales Symposium Breakout Session Takeaways

MSAE started April off with our Marketing and Sales Symposium. Nearly 100 of our members attended to learn new tips, trends and techniques within the marketing and sales realm. Here are the top takeaways from our breakout sessions at our Marketing and Sales Symposium:

How Photography has been Transformed in the Digital Age

• Postproduction apps will transform your work.
• Megapixels don’t matter.
• Use optical zoom – avoid digital zoom.

Social Media Marketing: Can it Drive Sales?

• You need to have a strategy.
• Schedule time – be intentional – have an editorial schedule.
• Monitor and analyze activity.
• Look into HootSuite to manage your social media accounts.

Be Heard, Create Messaging that Resonates with your Audience

• Be aware of others’ communications.
• Be authentic. Human-ness is key.

Drawing Attention to Your Exhibition Booth

• Keep all information at top 2/3 of your booth.
• Phone – credit card (adhere) holder.
  
  

How your iPad can Reinvent your Work and Workflow

• Get a keyboard for your tablet.
• Back up your files (Apple compatibility is key).
• Microsoft Office is available for iPad.

Maximizing your LinkedIn

• Make sure your profile is at 100%
• Manage your endorsements.
• Have a strategy.

Handling Sales Objections

• Send mail – sendoutcards.com
• Kill them with kindness.
• Persistence!
• Listen – "No" means "needs more information".
  
  

Integrate Your Marketing or Die. Be Simple. Be Consistent. 

• Audit all your material – what can you eliminate?
• Send out your communications in small, bite size nuggets.
• Listen to what your audience wants and how to communicate to them.
• ...You won't die.

We had great reviews and are already looking forward to next year!

Want more? Check out our event hashtag on Twitter for our members’ thoughts and pictures - #MSAEsymp.