The 4 Best Practice Tips for Implementing Technology in your Organization
Is your association considering implementing a technology integration to streamline chapter operations? Increase cross-functional visibility? Automate administrative processes? Innovations and technological advancements have made it easier than ever to boost productivity and automate away mindless busywork. Let’s examine how to find the right technology for your multi-chapter organization, whether by finding something new or adding to your existing solution.
By migrating critical systems into a core CRM tool and integrating other tech platforms, an association can increase coordination across its organization with centralized contacts, improved fundraising capacity, better event management, and more robust marketing and reporting processes. Find out best practices for developing and managing such an IT overhaul.
Is your association considering implementing a new piece of technology to…?
- Streamline operations
- Increase cross-functional visibility & efficiency
- Automate manual processes
- Bring new programs or strategic initiatives to life
Gap Analysis: Where are YOU feeling the pain?
First things first, you need to identify gaps in your current processes, whether they’re technology-powered or not. Next, figure out precisely what void you need to fill and if technology can supplement it. Then when identifying the gap, ask yourself what has made that void so painful. These essential elements help you narrow down your pain points and give valuable insight into optimizing efficiency.
- Have your staff been complaining about manual tasks that don’t allow them to focus on their primary job?
- Has manual data entry made you prone to errors that require hours of costly clean-up?
- Has data security been a concern?
The more specific you can pinpoint your pain points, the better your solution.
THE 4 BEST-PRACTICE TECHNOLOGY TIPS FOR IMPLEMENTING SOLUTIONS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION
Associations are not immune to ever-changing technology, so it’s always good to have a few best practices in your back pocket.
- Align with strategic objectives
- Take inventory of your systems
- Identify resources
- Research and identify the solution
1. Align with strategic objectives
In addition to the typical goals of the solution saving your association, time and costs, how does the project align with your association’s long-term strategic objectives?
- Will it provide higher membership satisfaction?
- Will it allow you the tools to focus more of the organization on member benefits and value?
- Will it empower your volunteers and staff?
2. Take inventory of your systems
What are you currently using, and how are you utilizing them?
- How are they working for the organization?
- Where are there process gaps?
- How does information flow from one place to another?
3. Identify resources
Who will champion the project, ensure success, and keep the timeline on track?
- Who in your organization will need to be involved?
- Who is the champion at your partner organization?
- How are you tracking accountability?
4. Research & Identify a Solution
Select your partner and start the discovery process to uncover specific needs for your organization. Then roadmap, design, and develop the solution.
- Do you need to phase the project? There is nothing wrong with building and launching a core solution in Phase 1 and then adding the ‘nice-to-have’ features and functionality in Phase 2.
- How will you train key staff and administrators/users?
- How will you implement and roll out the solution?
Chapter volunteer leaders aren’t technology experts. One of the most complex parts of implementing new chapter technology is getting buy-in from your chapter leaders. Learn how Billhighway can help make rolling out new technology to your chapters a breeze.
