What readers like you are saying on association blogs. Brought to you by Scott Oser Associates.
Posted in Effective Database on Jan 20th, 2011
Wes, excellent point that is often missed or confused! I want to add that this analysis works well when you have identified the 2 or 3 systems that most closely meet your organization’s needs and will be able to provide similar levels value to your association. For this reason, the total-cost-of-ownership analysis should occur later [...]
Posted in Effective Database on Jan 20th, 2011
Very good point, Joshua. Comparing TCO implies that you’re actually comparing similar products. In the process I typically use with clients, TCO comparison only comes once we’ve narrowed the choices down to feasible systems.
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Posted in Effective Database on Jan 19th, 2011
AMEN! Never get in the way of people who want to spend money with your organization (or donate)! This happens way too much.
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Posted in Effective Database on Jan 19th, 2011
Is there room on that soapbox for me? That’s a great blog post. Only essential info should be gathered in the critical path of a transaction. Never get in the way of people wanting to spend money with your association. : )
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Posted in Effective Database on Jan 18th, 2011
Understood and agreed, Wes. I worked in associations for many years and understand both the fundamental business processes, and also how some orgs fall into the trap of “this is how we’ve always done it.” However, complex business rules are no excuse for poor user experience. So, here’s a message to the associations and AMS [...]
Posted in Effective Database on Jan 18th, 2011
You’re right. And I’ve been on a soapbox for some time that associations need to think more about getting the sale first and the “extraneous” data later. See here: http://www.effectivedatabase.com/blog/2008/07/24/collect-as-little-data-as-possible-when-selling/
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Posted in Effective Database on Jan 18th, 2011
Good point, Wes. On the other hand, I wish associations were MORE demanding of AMS vendors when it comes to usability. My recent work includes usability reviews and tests of basic ecommerce functions in some very popular AMSs, and it is surprising how needlessly complex and unlike good consumer sites association ecommerce can be. If [...]
Posted in Effective Database on Jan 18th, 2011
Thanks for the comment, Jacqui, and you’re right, clients do need to push harder. But a minor defense of the AMS vendors: Very often the business rules that associations have make it difficult to mimic “typical” e-commerce sites. For example, Amazon only needs to know who I am how I’m going to pay in order [...]
Posted in Effective Database on Jan 10th, 2011
Windows Vista?
I use Gmail, as a workaround to travel time, if I have a 10-11AM appointment with 30 mins each way of travel time, I will create an appointment from 9:30-11:30 and title the meeting “Meeting with Joe @10AM” so I know when I need to leave vs. when I’m supposed to [...]
Posted in Effective Database on Jan 10th, 2011
Vista? I don’t get it. I’m a Mac user!
I like your workaround, and have considered using it. But I’m spoiled by how nicely the “travel time” functionality works.
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