A tight budget often means associations are working with outdated technology solutions for much longer than they might wish. If 2019 is your organization’s year to update its software toolkit, Tim Forbes from the Care2 blog recommends emphasizing the following areas:

Focus on integration. “Data-driven strategies are always preferable to shots in the dark, and using tools that speak the same language is a surefire way to ensure your team can make the most of all your nonprofit’s experiences over the past year,” Forbes says. “Using tools that integrate with your CRM can dramatically simplify day-to-day logistics for your team, but its biggest benefit is streamlining data management and analysis.”

Opt for automated tools. “The benefits of data automation really become clear when you work within an integrated set of tools that can draw from the same pool of data,” he says. “Automated and integrated tools reduce the need for manual data management, giving you more time to identify trends and develop smarter strategies.”

Refine digital marketing strategies. The most effective digital marketing plans are data-driven, so your tech solutions should follow suit. “You’ll want to prioritize software that makes it easy to track and analyze engagement data, which is essential for refining your strategies in the future,” Forbes says.

Stress and Meetings

https://twitter.com/meetingsnet/status/1100885086889799681

Wellness is the name of the game in the meetings industry, and a new study from the Incentive Research Foundation shows that many planners have taken steps to up their health offerings for attendees.

But the study (also highlighted in MeetingsNet) revealed that planners need to attend to their own well-being too. More than half of planners agreed that job stress has an impact on their personal life, with 29 percent saying it has a “strong” influence and 27 percent calling it an “incredible” influence.

So, planners: Take this information as a reminder that self-care should be included as a necessary part of your planning process.

Other Links of Note

Education is empowering, especially for your association’s chapters. The WBT Systems blog breaks down eight ways to build educational partnerships with chapters.

Conversations on big ideas often need structure to be effective. Jeffrey Cufaude from Idea Architects offers tips for how to facilitate such talks.

Working with freelancers? This is how you should onboard them to maximize the partnership, from Entrepreneur.

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