The image of a world driven by technology has long been portrayed by Hollywood and the Sci-Fi world as cold, impersonal, inhuman, disconnected – you know, soulless computers, cyborgs, dystopia and the like. It can be a little stressful to imagine.
Look, I can see you’re really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over.
– HAL 9000, 2001: A Space Odyssey
All kidding aside, the technology we use today seems to keep us connected to everyone, anywhere, all of the time. We find ourselves needing to take vacations where we are forced to disconnect from all of these wonderful devices so we as humans can “recharge.” And with all of this around the clock connectivity at our fingertips, we struggle, as members based organizations, to make sure our members are engaged.
Technology should be looked at as a very powerful ally than can really help associations deliver more value and drive greater engagement with members, whether it be using a Member Management System, Online Community, Online Job Board, or creating a Social Media presence. Members seek that experience, even if they never actually articulate that desire. Technology has created within them expectations we must find ways to meet in order to remain relevant to the very people we serve.
Last week we looked at these issues and discussed how to succeed by leveraging technology to create a more personal connection with members, in our monthly Thought Leadership webinar, “High Touch Membership in a High Tech World”. Shelly Alcorn, CAE and I shared our experiences and offered tips to help associations better utilize the technology they currently access to deliver that high touch experience their members are looking for.
We had a couple of questions we weren’t able to get to because of time constraints. And so we bring you another episode of “Ask the Thought Leader” where we discuss Learning Management Systems, Net Neutrality, and what to consider if you desire to make your own mobile app.
