Do you have a dream to achieve your organization’s mission? You are not alone.
Most member organizations are faced with the search to future-proof their mission.
Creating a future-proof organization is critical because research shows that members’ wants and needs are continuously evolving.
Because of this consistent change, the value your organization offers to its members needs to continue to evolve as well.
Here are four proven principles to help you future-proof your organization.
1 –Know Your Numbers
Most organizations collect a lot of data. The challenge I see is that most organizations do not believe that their data is good enough. They miss out on leveraging interesting trends that can help them create quick wins.
Begin today by analyzing your key performance indicators to ensure you have the right ones for your specific organization.
Validate your formulas and measure how your various programs and member segments are performing. You will be surprised at the quick wins that are right in plain sight.
2 – Know Your Resources
Within your organization are tenured, talented employees. They have excellent ideas and can be instrumental in helping you innovate.
Outside your organization are dedicated partners like vendors and suppliers, who want to help you serve your members better.
They have great tools and tips from their other clients that they can share with you, if only they knew more about your challenges.
One thing I do when working with member organizations is establish what I call a Member First Team. Here’s how to do this in your organization:
- Bring together your employees and form a cross-functional team.
- Hold regular brainstorming sessions where the team can identify ideas on ways to enhance your members’ journey.
- Leverage your partners to test ideas and scale only what works.
3 – Know Your Value
Your members are the ones who will determine your organization’s value.
The challenge I have seen is that most organizations believe that value is determined by how much ‘stuff’ they offer their members. This is not the case.
Knowing your value involves knowing your members. Your value is measured by the emotions and feelings you deliver when your member uses their membership.
Your value proposition needs to be clear and concise on the inside with your employees, as well as on the outside with your member marketing messages.
4 – Know Your Plan
When organizations build their mission on a 12-month budget, they limit their opportunities to achieve sustainable growth.
Your mission is possible when you create your path forward. Aligning your board, leaders, and staff with their boots on the ground, requires you to have a solid blueprint.
Start today by tapping into your members’ needs and providing solutions to help them meet those needs.
Identify short-term and long-term strategies based on your numbers, your resources, and your value proposition.
With a clear path forward, you and your team will be focused and energized.
You will future-proof your organization and be well on your way to achieving your mission possible!
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