The role of any great association is to serve the membership with quality information, services, training, and conferences. It is also critical in this changing world of social technologies to understand what the association can provide beyond what is available through these technologies.
We here at Software Test Professionals want to be your association of choice. In order to be that for you we must know what it is you need. We have developed a six question survey to find out what we can do to be your go to resource for everything software testing and quality assurance.
There is no doubt that the role of associations is changing but one factor that remains the same is that in order to stay relevant you must ask your customers/members what it is they need. What do you need? It is a simple question but in today’s complex world of unlimited data, keeping up with change that is happening at the speed of sound, and the many different sources available to acquire information; how does an association develop loyalty with their customers/members?
In the past it was less complex and associations had a much clearer role than they do today. It doesn’t mean we don’t have a role to play but that role has changed. Content in the form of newsletters, magazines, and in-person meetings is abundant from many sources. Why would anyone be loyal to a particular association or source? That is the most important question we need to answer as an association that relies on relationships and trust to survive.
The social mediums have grown at breakneck pace and everyone is being told that this is the wave of the future and we believe that is true. But what is missing from the social networks that associations like ours can deliver or develop that can’t be done through social media?
Right now we offer content in the forms of two e-newsletters, a digital magazine, and a website that houses these articles. We have recently introduced training/education in the form of an “Online Summit” which has been embraced and seems to be filling a need. We also offer two conferences, one in the Spring, and one in the Fall with a program designed to attract the leaders in our industry. Are these services enough to build a loyal following? We need to know.
If you have a particular problem that we can help you solve we would like to hear from you. We are not consultants or a vendor, our role as we see it is to bring all members of the industry together to move the industry forward by keeping everyone in touch and talking about trends and changes on the horizon. We support practitioners, consultants, and vendors by attempting to make the Software Test Professionals a “safe” place for all to discuss the most important topics we face as an industry.
If you have a few moments I would appreciate your help in driving our strategy by telling us what you need. The survey can be filled out in less than 5 minutes. This is the link to fill out the survey.
I appreciate the time and effort you spend to help us deliver better services to the membership. Please be completely honest about anything that you believe we need to know. The survey is anonymous unless you want to share your e-mail for follow up.
On behalf of everyone here at Software Test Professionals, Thank you!
Rich Hand