FACT:
Associations have been challenged by change. Political, economic, social, and demographic change have led to revenue losses and declining membership.
A new approach is needed.
Membership organizations are more relevant than ever, yet decline is prominent. Why? Because the market shifted. The systems, traditions, and processes of the past no longer apply. Don't just change your strategy - change your approach to strategy with Reimagine Membership!
Association membership retention is slipping
New
pipelines
are shrinking
Younger
generations
are tuning out
Fewer
organizations are reporting growth
IT'S TIME TO
REIMAGINE
THE MEMBERSHIP
EXPERIENCE
Change can't wait. Your association needs to deliver value to members ASAP and quickly adjust to changing market demands. Time is of the essence, even when budgets are tight.
That's why we've taken everything time-consuming, expensive, and uninspired out of the strategic planning experience to deliver something immediate, high-impact, and community-centric.
BUILT FOR IMPACT
Similar to a hack-a-thon, this high-energy, co-creative lab experience was built to help association stakeholders build community, think provocatively, and act courageously.
Blending membership growth strategies with futures thinking and change readiness, the Lab helps organizations pinpoint value, leverage competitive advantages,
and align with member needs and market trends.
Leave with a formula for success and a step-by-step guide to generate immediate results!
Book a Lab
The Reimagine Membership Lab is intended for cross-disciplinary teams from a single organization. Via facilitated exercises and expert guidance, participants collaboratively envision the future and identify a strategy for growth. Expect a fun, fast-paced, thought-provoking, and inspired planning experience!
FIVE PRACTICES FOR
ORGANIZATIONS READY TO THRIVE
IN THE NEXT ERA OF BELONGING
This is the foundation of the Reimagine Membership program, designed to focus energy, cut through the noise, and envision a bold new future for your organization.
1.
Design for the Future
Don't wait for disruption.
Design for it!
It's time to widen your lens, experiment with foresight tools, scenario planning, and generational analysis, and explore what your current strategic plan isn't addressing.
The goal: replace "Business As Usual" with "Future By Design."
2.
Craft the Experience
Consider the membership experience and exceed expectations.
Using tools like empathy mapping, persona building, and journey visualization, we will uncover what your members truly feel, expect and need. These insights help design experiences that generate trust, recognition, and belonging—the human fuel of long-term engagement.
3.
Build Community
Belonging doesn't happen by accident! It's crafted.
"If you build it, they will come" is not a strategy.
We help you design micro-engagements that invite participation, build curiosity, create feedback loops and recognition moments that reinforce belonging.
4.
Get Ready to Scale
Align people, processes, and culture to make meaningful change.
Readiness means equipping your teams to experiment, learn, and adapt without losing momentum.
We use a readiness framework to help you assess your current state, identify gaps, and design "first moves" that generate visible progress.
5.
Clarify Member Value
Deliver must-have membership for sustainable outcomes and impact
We help you measure and communicate value in ways that make members feel the difference, translating results into stories that inspire. When you clarify and communicate value through both data and emotion, you transform membership from a transaction into a movement.
THE LAB LEADERS
XYZ University and Talent Solutions deliver the Reimagine Membership Lab!
By combining our expertise in membership, future planning, and change readiness, the Lab delivers a unique and highly effective approach to strategic planning.
XYZ University studies changing demographics and social shifts and how these influence belonging and membership engagement.
Under the leadership of Sarah Sladek, XYZ University has authored 14 proprietary research projects, including the first global membership research study which gathered data from associations in 59 countries.
Talent Solutions brings expertise in human-centered design and change-readiness to the Reimagine Membership Lab.
Client projects have received numerous awards including the Gallup Culture Transformation, Spigit Best New Innovation Program, and InnoLead Impact awards.
THRIVING ORGANIZATIONS REINVENT THEMSELVES
ORGANIZATIONS THAT FADE
-
React to member requests
-
Cling to old habits
-
Build from association's view
-
Control communication
-
Work in silos
-
Treat change as a checklist
-
Stick to routine
ORGANIZATIONS THAT THRIVE
-
Anticipate change
-
Invest in next-gen tools
-
Cultivate open communities
-
Enable self-service
-
Align leaders
-
Adapt & pivot together
-
Prove value with results
Members who perceive their association as forward-looking, adaptive,
and member-centric report higher retention and engagement.