Associations Can Outlast Competitors. In a world where competition moves like the speed of sound, Associations need solid differentiation. Competitive intelligence helps you direct budget investments and keep Association products and services current with member business and professional objectives.
360 Competition
New coalitions, and organizations are created almost weekly. Law firms and public relations firms are providing lobbying and communications products similar to Associations. For profit companies are aggressive competitors too as they enter the market providing conference, sponsorship and other products to would be Association members.
Everywhere Associations look, competitors are ready and waiting to eat into their market share.
5 Competitive Game Changers
Competitive intelligence is a must. Know what competitors are doing and how they are driving value into your Association’s marketplace. And, be prepared to measure your impact, establish your Association’s uniqueness and unleash high impact media and marketing to highlight value:
- Use annual surveys, qualify and quantify member, prospect and sponsor business objectives.
- Keep only those advocacy, product and service initiatives that match with “pain point” issues.
- Partner with name brand companies to develop and release research accelerating your marketplace’s competitiveness and profitability.
- Collaborate with social and business media to share and communicate cutting edge research.
- Engage members, prospects and sponsors in a transformed “we” culture.
Run Like A Business
More and more Association Leaders are and have transformed their Associations into finely tuned businesses. On a consistent growth trajectory and determined to compete aggressively, the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), www.tagonline.com, uses annual market data to keep advocacy, products and services connected to market “pain points.” TAG also aligns the Association’s Strategic plan, operating plan and employee performance objectives. Over an eight year period they grew membership by 600%.
Associations Can Outlast Competitors
A number of Associations have convincingly made a strong business case and grown membership and sponsorship despite fierce competition. In addition to the Technology Association of Georgia, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), www.aota.org,grew membership by 40% (http://bit.ly/13toV3I).
For a free copy of the “Accelerating Strategic Member Engagement” eBook, request your copy at www.potomaccore.com.
