AMPED 10 Logo
blog

We are people people.

We’re excited about what we do
and have passion for our profession

Strategic goals: One. Step. At. A. Time.

Patterson girls run

I’ve written about the importance of strategic planning and setting goals. In my training this summer for a half marathon with my daughter, I have gotten to “work our plan” and develop goals in ways that parallel planning with our association clients. One. Step. At. A. Time.

When we set our annual goals, whether they're for 90% member retention, 10% growth in our conference, or 13.1 miles, it is so important to not get overwhelmed and to set mini-goals. We should also be prepared to adjust our goals as disruptions occur in our environment, industry and life. 

In our long run last weekend, I encouraged my daughter (who hates hills) to just set her eyes on the top of that hill and then at the bottom on the next, the green mailbox, pine tree – whatever we can see in front of us. We also ran a couple of 5Ks and a 10K to get us ready for the half marathon.

The same is true with our strategic plan goals: in order to reach that retention or member growth rate, focus on the member interaction you have today. Get your members to love your association so that they will be in the 90% — and they will tell their friends. Don’t wait until member renewal (or drop) time to think about those goals. 

If a wrench is thrown into the mix, as it was for our training (one of my daughters developed shin splints/stress fractures) be prepared to adjust your plan. In our case, she has become our coach and decided to volunteer at the first aid station so she can still be at the finish line for us. In our association life, membership may be down due to the economy, but that may present a new opportunity in the online engagement arena, for example.

Each day at our jobs, on the pavement, or at home, we can focus on those little things to reach the big goal. We can reevaluate and adjust as we make our way to the big goals.

(As I write this my son is on page 11 of his 16-page summer math packet. One page at a time!)

Good luck and keep going!

Continue reading
Tags:
  4566 Hits

Time to transition? The advantages of partnering with an AMC

transition fish
There comes a time in the life of just about every stand-alone association when its leadership questions the efficiency and expectations of its structure and staff. Does it have the funds to deliver on its mission and vision? Are the volunteer leaders getting buried in day-to-day operations? Does the current staff have the talent and experience to take the association to the next level?

Inevitably, as options are considered, the idea of partnering with an association management company (AMC) is introduced. For many associations, especially those that have been run by volunteers or with minimal staff from the get-go, the idea of hiring an AMC and sharing the reigns can sound pretty radical, and even frightening.

However, the promise of working with highly experienced association management professionals makes the decision to partner with an AMC a prudent one, especially for associations looking for efficiency and growth.

What is an AMC?

  • An AMC is a business owned and operated by experienced association executives.
  • AMC staff are professionals who know how to work with volunteers and are very familiar with the challenges of association management.
  • Because AMCs work for more than one association, they are in a position to offer more talent than the association could afford on its own.
  • AMCs provide organizations economies of scale through shared office space, equipment and staffing.
  • Staff are experts in niche areas (meeting planning, governance, membership marketing, etc.)
  • AMCs partner with organizations of any size, but most typically with not-for-profit associations or foundations.
  • The AMC serves as your organization’s headquarters.
  • Associations are the clients. They pay a fee to the AMC for the specific skills they need and the work required.
  • The AMC deals with all staff and administrative “overhead,” including office space, equipment, human resources and technology.
  • Finally, partnering with an AMC enables association leaders to stop managing the association and instead focus entirely on leading the association and the membership.

At AMPED, we make the transition easy for association staff and leaders. We believe in the AMC model and are fully committed to developing successful partnerships through trust, open communication and mutual respect. Our success is your success!

Continue reading
  6178 Hits

Moving on up… to the cloud

The cloud

When our onsite Microsoft Small Business server began nearing the end of its lifespan, we were faced with the question, Do we upgrade to a new server or move to the cloud? At first, I was completely against moving to the cloud—it was so expensive (I’m talking $20,000+ per year for some options!) and the idea of it seemed so abstract (Where is “the cloud,” anyway!?).

After working closely with our IT consultant, Nate Sperloen at Remachines, and many (many!) months of research and testing, we found that the Office Plan from Egnyte with a few customized upgrades (advanced security and synchronization) was perfect for AMPED and began our transition earlier this year. While the long-term costs are a bit more than upgrading to another onsite server, the costs are spread out over time instead of up-front and maintenance costs are basically eliminated.

Although there are definitely perks to having a local server, we’ve found that the benefits of moving to the cloud at this time were greater. We’ll always have the latest technology instead of a local server that is out-of-date pretty much as soon as we install it. We also now have more independence in our ability to manage the cloud server ourselves. In the past, we’ve relied on Nate to make changes to our server, add new employees, etc. With the cloud, the management is much more straight forward. The accessibility of our documents has also become more reliable — no more worrying about VPN connections or having to have someone reboot the server if things aren’t working properly. I love that it allows our employees to access data in a way that is most efficient for their work styles, whether that be a map drive, web access, or other applications.

Finding the right provider was a long process. Not only did we need to keep the needs of AMPED in mind, but also those of all our clients. Here are some things I learned along the way:

Find a good partner to help you through the process. Many smaller companies like AMPED don’t have an IT person on staff, but we are lucky enough to have great consultants. Make sure you have someone “in your corner” as you look through options and don’t just rely on the word of the sales person from each individual provider. This person will know your needs, be looking out for your best interests, and will understand the technical language and specs of each provider.

Know the right questions to ask. Many providers have different pricing options based on the features, so it’s vital that you take the time to figure out your “needs” vs your “wants” and what is important to you. Below are a few of the questions we found extremely important to ask.

  • How much storage is included? Is there a limit on file sizes?
  • What sort of security features are included? How is the data protected?
  • How do you access the data?
  • How easy is it to upgrade/switch to different plans? Is there a limit on the number of users? What different types of users are there?
  • How is the data backed up? How many versions of a document does it store? Can it also be backed up using a third party?
  • What sort of support is included? Will there be a single account manager assigned to us?

Test, test, test. All the providers we looked at offered free trials. Sign up for them! Test them both internally and externally. It’s impossible to know if something is going to work for your company without using it first. There were many providers we thought would work for us after listening to the sales pitch, but we found out otherwise once we began testing.

Make sure everyone is on board and plan for turbulence. Moving to the cloud is a huge change for many companies so there are likely to be “bumps” along the way and things that will work differently than they did before. Make sure everyone knows what changes are coming, the transition plan, and where to go for help.

In the end, I’ve learned that “the cloud” isn’t as scary as it sounds and have actually enjoyed all the research and getting to know the new system. Have you moved to the cloud yet? If so, do you have any additional advice for those thinking of moving to the cloud?

Continue reading
  4996 Hits

It’s 3 o’clock somewhere!

tired-dog


That groggy and lethargic feeling that we are all too familiar with is what I like to call the 3 o’clock slump. Many of us have our go-to fix that helps us get through the end of the day. I know when I am feeling groggy I go straight to coffee which may not always be the best choice.

I think it is helpful to have a few tricks in our arsenal to help us get through the slump. Below are a few tricks and tips to stay energized and re-energize after the 3 o’clock slump hits you.

Take a hike: No seriously, go for a walk. Getting up from your desk and taking a quick walk can get your blood flowing and wake you up. If you can get outside and go for a walk, great, go out and get a healthy dose of vitamin D! If you have to stay inside, no worries, just do a few laps around the office. You can also get moving by walking over to a co-worker and asking a question instead of e-mailing them. If you need motivation to get up and moving either set an alarm or grab a buddy, chances are they will be more than willing to go walk with you.

Snack Time: Snack time is not just for children, we adults need it too. In order to boost energy you must snack smart, choose foods with high protein and fiber. The combination of high protein and fiber will keep you full and energized. Try nuts, they are packed full of protein and fiber. You can even make your own trail mix!

Housekeeping: Cleaning your desk can be a great way to shake you out of your slump. Cleaning your desk is a mindless task that does not require copious amounts of concentration, however it will leave you feeling accomplished, focused, and ready to take on another task! Having a clean work environment can also reduce your stress levels giving you an added bonus.

Hydrate: Did you know that fatigue is one of the first signs of dehydration? It is recommended that the average male drinks 3.7 liters a day, and the average female drinks 2.7 liters of water every day. If you find that you’re having trouble getting in your recommended amount of water try adding fruit to your water for a little flavor. If bubbles are your thing, try sparkling water — those too come in fun flavors. A fun new water bottle doesn’t hurt either!

Continue reading
  3904 Hits

5 quick tips for healthy travel – recipe included!

peanut-butter-balls

Many of us have packing for business travel down to a science. We know how long it will take to organize our luggage with all of our essentials and never forget our must-have gadgets like phone chargers and the like. What about enhancing your packing strategy to include items that will keep you feeling in tip top shape while on the go?

I recently wrapped up an eleven day trip with two back-to-back client events on opposite coasts and, while both meetings were successful, I came home feeling a bit sluggish after eating out for every meal. Here are a few tricks that I will definitely be more conscientious of when preparing for my next trip!

Snack smart
Skip the muffin or donut at the airport bakery and pack snacks for your flights and layovers. Bring protein and nutrient-packed dry food that won't easily leak or get smooshed in your bag. Veggies, granola bars, trail mix, or my latest obsession – healthy peanut butter balls – packed in a small durable tupperware, of course, so as not to get smashed!

BYOB: bring your own bottle
Water bottle that is! Whether you pack a reusable water bottle or grab a water bottle during your travels, staying hydrated is key to looking and feeling healthy. Craving bubbles? Drink sparkling water during meetings instead of soda to save calories.

Order small plates
Avoid the temptation to overindulge and select simple appetizers and entrees that offer lean protein and fresh ingredients. Split larger portioned entrees with a colleague or request a half order.

See the sights while staying active
Often, we meeting planners are so focused on the coordination of the event that we don’t get to see the local sights for ourselves. Grab a co-worker and go for a morning walk before the festivities begin. Just be sure to pack your tennis shoes!

Celebrate in moderation
A toast is absolutely in order for a job well done. Watch out for alcoholic beverages with extra sugar such as margaritas and other fruity cocktails. Go for drinks with club soda or on the rocks, or opt for a glass of wine. Cheers!

Continue reading
  4405 Hits

AMPED-logo-sans-text-small