The Membership IQ with Sarah Sladek

We are in an era of disruption. Our models, hierarchies, and practices are being called into question because there is a call for change. Our world is becoming more individualized, more diverse.  In this week’s episode of the MIQ, I’m sharing best practices for how your organization can embrace change in this fluid environment. Visit us at sarahsladek.com

In my work as a researcher and consultant, I’ve found that nearly all associations have struggled to attract Gen-Xers . To understand why we need to look at how this generation came of age and what they value most.  In this week’s episode of the MIQ, I’m sharing three ways to start engaging this generation and the important role they play in your organization’s future.  Visit us at sarahsladek.com

How do you approach change? With acceptance - or something quite the opposite? In this episode of the Membership IQ podcast, Sarah Sladek uses the weather as a metaphor for the many unexpected, uncontrollable changes that occur in our lives. She reminds her audience that resistance to change is not only futile but creating a culture of resistance also creates many problems within the organization....

Messaging matters! In this week’s episode of the Membership IQ, Sarah Sladek explains how some associations are giving members and prospective members the wrong impression. Drawing upon her work as a former journalist and member strategist, she shares examples of messaging and marketing tactics that tend to backfire - and which ones work effectively! Sladek reminds her audience of association lead...

As the expression goes, “hindsight is 2020.” We’ve learned a lot in the past few years about how to pivot, but has it informed what your association is doing to plan ahead ? In this week’s episode of the Membership IQ, I share a valuable exercise that has helped countless organization leaders improve their overall vision. You’ll learn how, with a few simple steps, you can be better prepared for wh...

As an association leader, advocating for your organization is one of your top priorities. What many associations don’t realize is that advocacy as we once knew it may not be as effective anymore. Young people today are approaching problems as social entrepreneurs, building a following through grassroots activism, social media, and online platforms. Not all heroes wear capes, and your NextGen membe...

Many association leaders don’t realize it, but being mindful of your members’ experiences is the secret to growing your community. This week, I’m sharing five key ways that your association can curate a unique, memorable membership experience that will make your organization stand out in the marketplace, attracting members that will continually reinvest in all you have to offer. Visit us at sarahs...

As an association leader, member satisfaction is one of your top priorities. Oftentimes, new ideas can clash with established traditions, leaving your membership base at odds with one another. In this week’s episode, I am sharing how you can solve disparities between your more seasoned members and NextGen populations by creating a solid succession plan and looking at membership data trends. The ba...

Let’s face it - change can be scary! Sometimes, we can’t predict change (hello, pandemic!) and your association needs to be prepared with the right approach. In this week’s episode, I’m discussing how to leverage change, using it as an opportunity to help your organization evolve. You’ll learn how the right mindset and a little bit of strategizing can help your association effectively address chan...

As an association leader, you’ve likely discovered that the road to success will have some bumps along the way. Your final destination? Growing your membership community and providing a robust experience for your members! In this week’s episode, I am discussing the three roadblocks that organizations commonly encounter that can take you down a path toward disengagement and membership decline. I am...

We are celebrating twenty years of business this month! Over the past two decades, I’ve discovered what makes membership organizations thrive - and struggle to survive. In this week’s episode, I discuss how you can effectively combat membership decline by cultivating a sense of community amongst your members. “Equity,” “diversity,” and “inclusion” have become buzzwords in the association world, bu...

Negativity can drain the energy from almost any environment, and your association is no exception! As a leader, the attitude you model is reflected in your organization. In this week’s episode, we discuss the role positivity plays in making your association more attractive to prospective members. If it’s time to build momentum within your organization, I’ve got the tools to get you started.  Visit...

From a young age, we’ve had nursery rhymes memorized that we pass down to younger generations. As the leader of an organization, I want you to commit this acronym to memory: EIOU! I developed this initialism to help associations attract, retain, and engage their members. In this week’s episode of the Membership IQ, we discuss how the EIOU tool can support your organization’s efforts to drive meani...

Millennials (also known as Generation Y) are the largest and most-researched generation in history…as well as the most criticized. Unfortunately, research shows that age discrimination is alive and well in the workplace and membership organizations. Many fail to realize that Millennials (and eventually Gen Z!) are the lifeblood of your organization that will carry it into the future. This week’s e...

To stay on a forward trajectory, you’ve got to look ahead! The past can teach us valuable lessons, but with dated membership approaches, you risk becoming irrelevant to current and prospective members. To keep your member base engaged (and your organization growing!), your association needs to stay ahead of the curve and on top of the latest industry trends. It’s time to modernize by leaving the p...

Is your association sharing the latest buzz with your members? Just like every bee has a role in the hive, you and your members play an important part in your association's overall operations, which includes sharing all of the incredible achievements taking place! Oftentimes, associations choose to help their communities behind the scenes, avoiding “unnecessary” recognition or attention. It’s...

Your organization might find itself with little flexibility when it comes to leadership, members, and initiatives. It’s time for leadership to bend their approach and start stretching! In this week’s episode, we look at how a carefully curated board of directors can boost productivity and profitability, resulting in a more engaged (and involved!) membership. Tune in! Visit us at sarahsladek.com

Every week, it seems as though a newer, faster phone comes onto the market, with the promise of exclusive features and access to more information. You may not realize it, but this tiny piece of technology and your association share more in common than you may think. In this week’s episode of the Membership IQ, we dial into your membership mission and look at how a future-focused, member-centric mo...

What drives people to join organizations? You may think it’s the perks you offer or the networking and programming opportunities you provide, but don’t be fooled by those illusions! Rather, members will join your organization because they genuinely believe you’ve got the magic to solve their problems. To be effective in today’s rapidly changing world, you need to understand the way to your member’...

There exists a widespread misconception that “young people don’t join” membership organizations. Perhaps your association has struggled with a similar mindset. I’m here to debunk this “membership myth” and share with you the ways in which you can recruit (and retain!) young members. Tune in to this week’s episode of the Membership IQ, as we discuss how the cycle of engagement has evolved for young...

An organization is as good as its value proposition. What kind of value are you offering your members? Do they leave the table feeling like they have been dealt a good hand? It’s time organizations assess the changes that need to be made and strategize to turn the odds in their - and their members - favor. Tune in to this week’s episode as we discuss how your organization can make your members fee...

A great recipe is one that uses quality ingredients, made with special care and attention, and loved by all who try it. The culture within your organization isn’t much different from that amazing dish that draws everyone to the table. What many associations don’t realize is that a great strategic plan is no match for negative culture, hence the saying “culture eats strategy for breakfast.” In this...

Studies show that 80% of your organizational work should be mission-critical and member-centric, but that is usually not the case for most associations. Executives tend to wear too many hats that leave them distracted and losing sight of their mission. How are you spending your time as a leader and is it truly dedicated to your member-centric mission? In this week’s episode, we will help you deter...

We’ve all been there - trying to be everything to everyone . Organizations find themselves in this same position by trying to accommodate too broad of an audience. In this week’s episode, we explore your “target market,” a concept rooted in quality rather than quantity. You will learn how to add value to your organization and attract new members that will continue to steer your association towards...

To determine whether your association is genuinely evolving with the times, you may want to consider what would happen if your organization didn’t exist. In this week’s episode, we will explore your association’s “value proposition,” and consider what valuable services would be missing from your community, industry - and the world - if your association had to shutter its doors. You will learn how...