The Importance of Modernizing IT for Association Growth

Is your association finding it hard to keep members engaged and attract new ones? The solution might be simpler than you think: updating your IT infrastructure. Digital experiences shape perceptions and decisions and having up-to-date technology is key to creating a dynamic and responsive association.

Imagine this: Your association is hosting a crucial webinar, but technical glitches and poor connectivity prevent potential members from attending. Frustrated and disengaged, they become less likely to join or renew their membership. 

Now, picture a different scenario—one where your IT infrastructure is modern and reliable. Members experience seamless webinars, smooth online interactions, and efficient access to resources, leaving them impressed and eager to stay engaged. These positive experiences are what set successful associations apart.

Updating your IT infrastructure isn't just a technical upgrade—it's a strategic move that can boost member satisfaction and lead to significant growth. In fact, in 2023, 49% of associations reported an increase in membership, underscoring the importance of modern IT infrastructure in driving this trend. Better communication tools, enhanced data security, and streamlined operations can turn your association into a hub of engagement and efficiency.Keep reading as we explore several compelling reasons why modernizing your IT infrastructure is crucial for your association’s membership growth.

• Reason #1: Your Members Are Expecting a Premium Portal Experience 
• Reason #2: You Need to Free Up Your Team for Strategic Initiatives
• Reason #3: Your Members Trust You To Protect Their Data
• Reason #4: Your Association Needs to Grow Without the Growing Pains
• Reason #5: Your Members Rely on You to Keep Them Connected and Engaged
• Reason #6: Your Association Must Make Smart, Data-Driven Decisions to Thrive
• Reason #7: Your Association Needs to Save Money While Enhancing Member Value
• The Path Forward: How to Supercharge Your Association with a Modernized IT Infrastructure

Reason #1: Your Members Are Expecting a Premium Portal Experience

Have you ever experienced logging into a member portal that feels intuitive, engaging, and tailored just for you? That’s the magic of a modern IT infrastructure. When your tech is up-to-date, it doesn’t just improve the backend—it transforms the entire member experience.

Seamless Digital Interactions

Today’s members expect the same level of digital sophistication they get from top consumer brands. In fact research by Forrester found that a well-designed user interface could raise your website's conversion rate by up to 200%, and a better UX design could yield conversion rates up to 400%. For associations, this translates to a significant increase in the likelihood of potential members joining and existing members renewing.

A modern IT setup empowers your association to meet these expectations by providing user-friendly member portals, mobile apps, and online communities, ensuring that your members can effortlessly access the resources and information they need.

Personalized Experiences

With modern IT solutions in place, you can customize content and services to match individual member preferences. This kind of personalization makes members feel valued and understood, boosting their loyalty and engagement with your association.

Effective Communication

Up-to-date IT infrastructure also makes communication within your association smoother. Tools like integrated messaging platforms, video conferencing, and collaborative software make it easier for members to connect, share ideas, and work together on projects.

By modernizing your IT infrastructure, you can greatly enhance the member experience. Seamless digital interactions, personalized content, and efficient communication tools are just a few ways modern technology can transform your association. Upgrade your IT systems, and you’ll not only meet but exceed member expectations, driving growth and ensuring long-term success.

Reason #2: You Need to Free Up Your Team for Strategic Initiatives

Your staff juggles multiple tasks every day. Streamlining operations with modern IT systems boosts efficiency, letting your team focus on strategic initiatives and member support instead of repetitive admin work. Here’s how an updated, modern IT infrastructure can help free up your team:

Streamlined Operations

Modern IT systems make your association’s daily tasks simpler. Automation tools, CRM systems, and integrated communication platforms handle the heavy lifting, making previously time-consuming tasks much more manageable. A recent report found that nonprofits leveraging modern IT solutions saw a 15-20% increase in operational efficiency, enabling them to redirect resources to mission-critical activities​.

Automation Tools

Automation tools take care of repetitive tasks, freeing your staff to focus on strategic activities. Automating member renewals, event registrations, and email communications can save countless hours of manual work.

CRM Systems

A modern CRM system centralizes member data, giving you a comprehensive view of each member’s interactions. This makes tracking, personalized communication, and informed decision-making easier.

Integrated Communication Platforms

Integrated communication platforms bring various channels together into one cohesive system, making it easier for team members to coordinate and improve communication with your members. Studies show that nonprofits using unified communication tools have improved internal collaboration, leading to a 30% increase in team productivity and more effective member engagement​.

By modernizing your IT infrastructure, you significantly boost efficiency and productivity. These  communication platforms reduce manual workloads, letting your staff focus on what really matters—supporting your members and driving growth.

Reason #3: Your Members Trust You To Protect Their Data

An association industry study from Community Brands shows that 71 percent of association members say they worry about data privacy and security.  With all the increasing threats and strict regulations, making sure your data security and compliance are top-notch is more important than ever. Upgrading your IT infrastructure is crucial for keeping sensitive information safe and maintaining your members' trust. Here are the basics to get you started:

Enhanced Data Protection

Modern IT systems come with advanced security features to guard sensitive information against cyber threats. Think encryption, multi-factor authentication, and regular security updates—these tools create a strong defense against data breaches.

Regulatory Compliance

Staying compliant with data protection rules isn't just about avoiding fines—it's about showing you care about member privacy. Modern IT infrastructure keeps you in line with the latest compliance requirements, automating checks and providing detailed audit trails.

Reduced Risk of Data Breaches

With cyber threats constantly evolving, modern IT infrastructure lowers the risk of data breaches by using the latest security technologies and best practices. Regular software updates and patches fix vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

Updating your IT infrastructure is essential for boosting data security and compliance. Better data protection, automated compliance checks, and a lower risk of breaches help keep your members' information safe and build trust in your association.

Related Reading: The Ultimate Cybersecurity Guide for Nonprofits: 10 Best Practices

Reason #4: Your Association Needs to Grow Without the Growing Pains

As your association grows, your IT needs to grow with it. Modern technology gives you the flexibility to handle more members and adapt to changing needs without any major hiccups. This scalability helps your association thrive and keep members happy.

Scalability to Support Growth

Modern IT systems are designed to scale effortlessly, allowing your association to expand its operations without the usual growing pains. Whether you’re adding new members, launching new services, or expanding your reach, a modern infrastructure can handle the increased load with ease.

Flexibility to Adapt to Changing Needs

Stay flexible to seize new opportunities and tackle challenges head-on. Modern IT solutions let your association quickly adapt to changing circumstances. You can easily add new features, integrate emerging technologies, and change strategies without needing a complete IT overhaul.

Cloud-Based Solutions

Cloud-based solutions are a cornerstone of modern IT, offering amazing benefits for remote access and collaboration. By hosting your apps and data in the cloud, you give your members and staff secure, anytime-anywhere access, making everything more connected and efficient.

Scalability and flexibility are must-haves for any association looking to grow and adapt. Modern IT infrastructure, especially cloud-based solutions, gives you the foundation to support this growth by making remote access and collaboration easier. Embracing these technologies keeps your association agile, efficient, and ready to meet your members' evolving needs.

Reason #5: Your Members Rely on You to Keep Them Connected and Engaged

Effective communication is key to keeping your members engaged. Modern IT tools like video conferencing, instant messaging, and collaborative platforms help members share ideas, work together, and stay connected from anywhere. These tools create a more interactive and cohesive community, enhancing the overall member experience.

Video Conferencing and Instant Messaging

Platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Slack have become essential for virtual meetings, webinars, and quick communication. These tools let members connect face-to-face and share information in real-time, fostering a sense of community and belonging even when miles apart.

Collaborative Platforms

Tools like Asana, Trello, and Basecamp provide structured environments for managing projects, tracking tasks, and collaborating on documents. They streamline workflows, keep projects organized, and ensure everyone can contribute effectively.

Enhanced communication and collaboration are essential for a thriving association. A modern, up-to-date IT infrastructure gives you the tools to bring members together, improve engagement, and facilitate effective teamwork.

Reason #6: Your Association Must Make Smart, Data-Driven Decisions to Thrive

To provide real value, you need to understand what your members want. Leveraging data analytics helps you gain insights into their needs and preferences. Modern IT systems make it easy to collect and analyze data, enabling smart, data-driven decisions that enhance member experiences and drive growth.

Why Data Analytics Matter

Data analytics lets you see the bigger picture of member behavior. By analyzing data from various touchpoints, you can spot trends, preferences, and areas for improvement. This insight helps you tailor your services and communications to better meet member needs, creating a more personalized and engaging experience. According to a report from NTEN, 75% of nonprofits that use data analytics reported improved program outcomes by better understanding and addressing the needs of their constituents​.

How Modern IT Supports Data Collection

Modern IT systems come with advanced tools for collecting, storing, and analyzing data. They integrate various data sources, giving you a comprehensive view of member interactions and behaviors. A study by the Technology Affinity Group found that nonprofits using integrated data systems experienced a 20% increase in operational efficiency, as these systems reduced the time spent on data management and allowed for more accurate analysis​.

Benefits of Data-Driven Strategies

Using data-driven strategies offers numerous benefits for membership growth and retention. Making decisions based on data enhances member experiences, improves operational efficiency, and drives targeted marketing efforts.

Improved Member Retention

Data-driven insights help you identify at-risk members who might be disengaging. By monitoring engagement metrics, you can intervene early with personalized outreach and offers to re-engage these members, improving retention rates.

Data-driven decision-making is a powerful tool for understanding and meeting member needs. Modern IT infrastructure provides the capabilities to collect and analyze data effectively, enabling you to make informed decisions that drive growth and retention.

Reason #7: Your Association Needs to Save Money While Enhancing Member Value

Investing in modern IT infrastructure might seem pricey at first, but it can lead to big cost savings and a solid return on investment (ROI) in the long run. By streamlining processes, automating tasks, and reducing manual workloads, your association can run more efficiently and save money.

Long-Term Cost Savings

Modern IT systems help cut operational costs in several ways. For example, cloud-based solutions eliminate the need for expensive on-premises servers and reduce maintenance costs. A report by TechSoup revealed that nonprofits that moved to cloud-based solutions reduced their IT costs by 20-30%, allowing them to reallocate resources to mission-critical activities​. Additionally, automating repetitive tasks frees up staff time, enabling them to focus on more strategic activities.

Cost Efficiencies Through Automation

Automation is a huge win when it comes to cost savings. Automating routine tasks like member renewals, event registrations, and email communications saves time, reduces errors, and improves accuracy.

Automation is a major win when it comes to cost savings. Automating routine tasks like member renewals, event registrations, and email communications saves time, reduces errors, and improves accuracy. According to a study by Sage, 85% of nonprofits that adopted automation tools reported a reduction in administrative workload, leading to cost savings and more time for impactful work​.

ROI Considerations

When upgrading your IT systems, think about the ROI. While there might be initial costs for new software, training, and implementation, the long-term benefits often outweigh these expenses. Improved efficiency, better member satisfaction, and reduced operational costs contribute to a positive ROI.

The Path Forward: How to Supercharge Your Association with a Modernized IT Infrastructure

Modernizing your IT infrastructure is more than just an upgrade—it's a strategic move that can revolutionize your association. Let’s recap the key actions you can take to drive membership growth:

1. Deliver Premium Online Experiences: Implement user-friendly member portals and mobile apps to ensure seamless and engaging interactions.
2. Free Up Your Team for Strategic Initiatives: Automate routine tasks and streamline operations with modern IT systems, allowing your staff to focus on high-impact activities.
3. Protect Your Members’ Trust: Invest in advanced security measures and compliance tools to safeguard sensitive member information.
4. Grow Without the Growing Pains: Utilize scalable IT solutions that can easily adapt to increasing membership and evolving needs.
5. Keep Members Connected and Engaged: Leverage modern communication and collaboration tools to foster a strong, connected member community.
6. Make Smart, Data-Driven Decisions: Use data analytics tools to gain valuable insights into member preferences and tailor your services accordingly.
7. Save Money While Enhancing Member Value: Optimize operational efficiency and reduce expenses with cost-effective IT solutions, ensuring a solid return on investment.
8. Partner with the Right Managed Services Provider (MSP). To fully tap into the power of your upgraded IT infrastructure, it's essential to team up with a managed services provider who gets what associations need. The right MSP can assist in setting up, handling, and fine-tuning your IT systems to align with your strategic objectives. They offer continuous support, expert guidance, and proactive solutions to keep your tech running smoothly, allowing your team to focus on what truly counts - expanding and serving your membership.

By embracing these actions, you’ll not only make your association run more smoothly, but you'll also create a better experience for your members. Modernizing your IT infrastructure is the key to turning your association into a lively, engaged community that’s ready to thrive now and in the future.