Spark Consulting

AUGUST 22, 2016

I’d like to share some sobering statistics about higher education and employment: In the United States, students graduate from college with an average debt load of nearly $29,000. Total student debt in the U.S. is $1.23 trillion and rising. 47% of college-educated workers under 25 work in jobs. that do not require a college degree. Worldwide, 73.3 million people under the age of 25 are unemployed, representing 36.7% of total global unemployment.

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United States Maryland Ohio Case Study 233

YourMembership

AUGUST 16, 2016

It was a busy couple of days at the ASAE 2016 in Salt Lake City. Here’s a quick recap of topics, conversations and fun stuff that happened at YourMembership’s booth #605 and the event. For more insights, observations updates, go to @jpguilbault and @yourmembership on Twitter! At the booth. Pokémon Go and bacon! What a combination, and what more could you ask for?

Membership Management 230

Membership Management Software System Technology 230

WBT Systems

AUGUST 30, 2016

The 3 C’s of social learning for associations will help you decide what approach works best for your association members when incorporating social learning into the design of education programs. What is Social Learning? Like many individuals and organizations in modern society, associations maintain social media profiles for sharing content of interest to their members.

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LMS Social Media Course Education 236

Wild Apricot

AUGUST 5, 2016

If you're organization is struggling to recruit volunteers, have you considered using social media to do the work for you? In one of this month's free nonprofit webinars, you'll learn how to recruit volunteers right from Facebook, Twitter, and even YouTube.

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Recruiting Recruitment Social Media Organization 183

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Customer education has become a key driver for growth, retention, and product adoption. Our latest 2024 State of Customer Education Report uncovers critical data and insights from a survey of over 200 industry leaders, offering a look at the evolving role of education in driving business success. Inside, you'll find data on key trends and strategies, including: Strategies for Scaling & Customization: Find out which investments in learning technology deliver the biggest ROI and scalability.

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Reid All About it

AUGUST 19, 2016

“ I’ve got the sweetest hangover, I don’t want to get over… ”. Not that kind of hangover. I’ve got the post-ASAE Annual buzz. This is the emotion you want to trigger when marketing your conference—that warm, happy, inspired, charged-up feeling of belonging to a tribe who gets what you do and loves what you love. It’s that buzz you get from discovering and developing new ideas with people sitting across the room or around the table.

Price 174

Price Social Media Email Marketing Innovation 174

Spark Consulting

AUGUST 26, 2016

Now that you’ve had a chance to learn a little bit about the disruption affecting education, the changes in the employment market (both in the US and world-wide), the “wicked” problem that perfect storm has created, and how Shelly Alcorn and I think associations are uniquely positioned to respond, what if you’d like to learn more?

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Education Case Study Team Marketing 204

YourMembership

AUGUST 30, 2016

Private online association communities + making members feel exclusive. Editor’s note: This is the first in a four-part series looking at member engagement for associations and the importance of implementing a social networking platform equipped with the right tools to ensure early adoption and consistent engagement. In today’s highly-connected and content-saturated world, associations must offer their members online resources for content creation and collaborative discussion.

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Social Media Tools Software System 240

WBT Systems

AUGUST 23, 2016

Why are Digital Badges the future of Association Education? The way we learn is constantly evolving. Association members use their professional social networks, curated feeds, and a myriad of other digital channels to enhance their professional skills. At the same time, the means whereby learning/training is recognized, accredited and validated is also changing.

Education 204

Education LMS Certificate millennials 204

Wild Apricot

AUGUST 31, 2016

If your organization is struggling to engage millennials, one of the things you’ll learn from this month’s webinars are 3 rules that will turn a new millennial member into a raving fan.

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millennials Organization 191

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Ever wonder why brands like Apple, LEGO, and Sephora are going all-in on branded communities? It’s because online community building is the secret sauce to connecting with audiences in ways that ads and emails simply can’t. But here's the best part—it’s not just for big corporations. Associations can create thriving online communities too. GrowthZone’s eBook, "The Power of Community," breaks down exactly why a branded online community can be a game-changer for your association.

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Aaron Wolowiec

AUGUST 29, 2016

Bob Thomas, Michigan Chamber Foundation. Q & A with Bob Thomas , senior director of operations and executive director, Michigan Chamber Foundation at Michigan Chamber of Commerce. Learn: Q: What’s one subject you’d like to learn more about? A: I’d love to learn more about macroeconomics. The more I grow in my career, the more these concepts seem to creep in.

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Michigan Content Social Media Communications 189

Higher Logic

AUGUST 3, 2016

Launching your new community is a big deal. A lot of work went into it and everyone has high expectations for the community. Since community spaces are new, you can’t necessarily expect mass adoption from everyone the second you open the doors. But you can expect people to be interested and excited to see what the community is all about when you launch.

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Newsletter Education Conference Tools 166

Spark Consulting

AUGUST 25, 2016

If you’ve been persuaded by the information I’ve shared about The Association Role in the New Education Paradigm the past few days that we do have a large-scale problem that associations are uniquely equipped to address (and I hope you have), the next question is: where do we start? (fourth post of The Association Role in the New Education Paradigm release week).

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Education Maryland Ohio Case Study 200

YourMembership

AUGUST 24, 2016

I recently requested information for an upcoming conference from an association that I’ve been a member of for a few years. As expected, I received a confirmation email thanking me for the request and the approximate time I’d receive the brochure. But, I also received an email that stated I just created a new account to access all of their websites and tips about how to get started. as a new member.

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System Member Experience Innovation Membership Management 190

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WBT Systems

AUGUST 11, 2016

Major update to TopClass learning management system offers enhanced social learning capability for association, continuing education, and corporate training programs, with more rewarding and diverse learning experiences that increase engagement. ( TRAININGPRESSRELEASES.COM ) – With the latest release of the TopClass Learning Management System, WBT Systems expands the social learning capabilities of their comprehensive and flexible learning platform for associations, training organizations and ex

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LMS System Learning Management System Sample 200

Potomac Core

AUGUST 3, 2016

Market uncertainty and the pace of change will continue to impact membership decisions at professional societies and trade associations. Looming external factors will play a significant role in how membership decisions will be made. The outcome of the U.S. Presidential and Congressional Elections, economic performance inside and outside the United States, mergers and acquisitions, baby boomer retirements , terror threats, and technology disruptions will influence whether or not professionals

Member Engagement 159

Member Engagement Strategy United States Survey 159

Aaron Wolowiec

AUGUST 29, 2016

Bob Thomas, Michigan Chamber Foundation. Q & A with Bob Thomas , senior director of operations and executive director, Michigan Chamber Foundation at Michigan Chamber of Commerce. Learn: Q: What’s one subject you’d like to learn more about? A: I’d love to learn more about macroeconomics. The more I grow in my career, the more these concepts seem to creep in.

Michigan 189

Michigan Content Social Media Communications 189

Wild Apricot

AUGUST 31, 2016

If you'd like to know about our latest software developments, you'll be happy to know that we released a major update just last week: Wild Apricot Version 5.8. Find out about the four major features in this release.

Software 158

Software Newsletter 158

Speaker: Radhika Samant and Todd Wuestenberg

Employee recognition has often been deemed a "feel-good" initiative, tied closely to rewards. While we understand its importance, we tend to associate recognition with intangible outcomes like engagement and sentiment, rather than direct impacts on retention and high performance. In today’s workplace, the true ROI of recognition lies in its ability to regenerate tangible, business-driven results.

Certificate

Spark Consulting

AUGUST 23, 2016

What are some of the forces impacting education in 2016? (second post of The Association Role in the New Education Paradigm release week). Incorporating technological advances in the classroom. Decreasing public funding. Increasing class sizes. High-stakes testing in K-12. Exploding student debt. Decreasing on-time college and university graduation rates.

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Education Class Technology Innovation 190

Higher Logic

AUGUST 16, 2016

When the news shakes our perception of the world, what are you supposed to do as a community manager? On the one hand, your community is for a specific purpose and may not need to weigh in on every happening. On the other hand, you’re a community where people care for each other and support one another on a human level. No matter what your community is for or who is in it, your members -- and you -- are affected by the news every day.

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How To Social Media Strategy Education 152

WBT Systems

AUGUST 2, 2016

With less than two weeks to the ASAE Annual Meeting and Expo 2016 , the largest event for Associations each year, we are putting in place our final preparations to exhibit at Booth #515. As we pack and ship our materials, arrange meetings with partners, clients and interested associations, and put the finishing touches on our demos, we started thinking about all the opportunities that the ASAE Annual Expo 2016 provides.

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Learning Management System How To LMS System 190

Socious

AUGUST 8, 2016

71% of American adults think that millennials are selfish. That’s according to a recent public opinion survey from Reason-Rupe , and it gives valuable insight into how society views one of the largest generations in history. People look at millennials on their smartphones and tablets and say they’re focused on themselves, lacking engagement with other people.

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millennials Survey Member Engagement 176

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Aaron Wolowiec

AUGUST 30, 2016

When I graduated college 16 years ago, times were different. I had a job before graduation and I never questioned the value of my degree. While I had an internship, the focus then on skills (vs. education) wasn’t nearly as strong. Today, students need internships before entering the workforce. And then comes the price tag. My son is a freshman this year and soon, we’ll be looking at colleges.

Education 180

Education Mooc millennials Certificate 180

Reid All About it

AUGUST 26, 2016

Birthday weeks always put me in a reflective mood. Over the last few days, I’ve been thinking about…. …what I accomplished, or didn’t, this past year, and what I hope to achieve in the coming year. …what habits I’ve developed, broken, and want to develop. …how I’ve been spending my time, and how I rather spend my time. …how I can help others because, well, it’s not all about me.

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DC Video Washington Analysis 150

Spark Consulting

AUGUST 1, 2016

Information overload – we all experience it personally, every day, with our emails and social media feeds and online media and print media and broadcast media, and that’s hard enough to manage. But in 2016, our associations ALSO struggle with information overload. We have many rich sources of data about our members, our other audiences, and our operations that we can mine in a dizzying variety of ways, so many, in fact, that it can be almost impossible to separate the signal from the

Social Media 174

Social Media Recruiting Recruitment Marketing 174

Higher Logic

AUGUST 4, 2016

Psychology helps you motivate members to take action -- but can it help you design a great website? Community design is important, not an afterthought. Depending on its layout and ease of use, the UX can make or break a member’s experience. And you want to make their experience great and full of value, not frustrating. Knowing a few psychological hacks can help you create a website that’s not only easy to use, but helps members take action.

eBook 146

eBook Examples 146

Speaker: Joe Sharpe and James Carlson

Payroll optimization can be one of the most time-consuming and complex factors of small business management. Yet, organizations that crack the code on streamlining employee compensation often discover innovative avenues for growth. With the right strategies in place, outsourcing and streamlining payroll processes can result in substantial time and resource savings.

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WBT Systems

AUGUST 9, 2016

One way to improve the learner experience is to aim to improve engagement in our eLearning assessment by addressing the variety and format of the questions and answers we use. We tend to spend the bulk of our time in creating engaging content with varying fonts, graphics, colors, calls to action, multimedia and considerable instructional design investment, before often presenting a bland final assessment which leaves our learners with a less than ideal impression of the amount of effort we put i

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LMS New York Video System 183

Socious

AUGUST 24, 2016

How can associations build loyalty and convince members to renew? According to research by Association Metrics , members who regularly engage by visiting the association’s website, attending conventions, and volunteering are more likely to remain loyal.

Member Engagement 162

Member Engagement 162

Aaron Wolowiec

AUGUST 30, 2016

When I graduated college 16 years ago, times were different. I had a job before graduation and I never questioned the value of my degree. While I had an internship, the focus then on skills (vs. education) wasn’t nearly as strong. Today, students need internships before entering the workforce. And then comes the price tag. My son is a freshman this year and soon, we’ll be looking at colleges.

Education 180

Education Mooc millennials Certificate 180