If you’re a college football fan, then chances are you’re already counting down the days until the football season resumes again. That’s how I feel about Awards Season. During the months of January and February, I spent more time being a couch potato than what might be considered healthy because I have to watch every award show available, including, of course, the red carpet pre-shows.
Now that this year’s season has come and gone, and with movies so much on my mind, I’d like to extend our attention to Hollywood with this list of quotes that fit an association’s search for new membership software just as well as they fit the silver screen.
When you finally decide on a new software system, everyone’s a winner (no matter who gets announced!), and you’re putting your organization at the forefront of your industry. Here are seven movie quotes to keep in mind before, during, and even after your journey to find the best and right membership software for your organization.
1. “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” – Casablanca 
Your relationship with your AMS software vendor is critical when selecting new software. It’s not simply a business transaction that ends once you purchase the software. When embarking on a search for a new system, you have to pay attention to how your vendor treats you and your team. By extension, you’re also entering in a relationship with the vendor. There must be a sincere partnership that is formed, and hopefully it will be a long-term relationship between both parties. There are some key attributes to identify when forming a partnership with your vendor, and you’ll know which ones matter to you and your team.
(For the record and without a doubt, Casablanca is one of my favorite movies of all time.)
Free Download:Implementing Your AMS: What to Expect Along the Way
2. “Change is good.” “Yeah, but it’s not easy.” – The Lion King
This quote is simple but powerful. Eventually you reach a point in your member management system where you can either choose to upgrade because it makes sense, it’s more cost-effective, and you have a strong partnership with your vendor, or you can choose the route of buying a new system. Either way, it’s going to be a significant change for your team and the organization as a whole. Making the decision, regardless of which option you choose, shouldn’t be taken lightly. Your system should help your organization be on the path for long-term success and stay on the cutting edge of your industry.
When individuals hear of a change taking place, the first question they might be wondering is, “Why is this happening?” If you’ve been on your current system for a long time, it’s only natural your team has grown accustomed to using it and it’s easier to continue with it even if it isn’t helping you do your job better nor serving your membership in the best way possible. Anything that deviates from the norm is hard to accept, so it’s best to always anticipate some level of resistance and doubt. If you’re the advocate for a new system, be prepared to have a compelling case as to why this change is necessary and why it needs to happen. Focus on the benefits—how it will positively impact the team and how it will grow the organization.
3. ”What we’ve got is a failure to communicate.” – Cool Hand Luke 
Communication is paramount during a new system change. Before and during an AMS software implementation, communication must be maintained across the organization so that everyone has a clear understanding of what’s happening and an increasing awareness of the system.
It’s important to remember that everyone will be affected by this software change so it’s wise to involve as many people as possible. This might depend on the size of your organization though. At the very least, if you can’t involve everyone, then you should try to get everyone’s input. Consider electing one person from each department to be a liaison who will also be responsible for communicating what decisions were made and what the impact will be. You could also consider having an executive sponsor. This individual is a champion for this system change and is typically well-liked among the organization. This person should also have the knowledge and authority to make important decisions and is comfortable communicating with the vendor as well. Communication between you and the vendor is also equally important so they can help you have a smoother software transition.
4. “It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more.” – Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Okay, this one might seem a little macabre (I had to include one Harry Potter quote, being the massive fan that I am), but the part “It is the unknown we fear” is what resonates with me. As humans, we are typically distrustful of things we don’t understand and the uncertainty that comes with something new. It’s not something to be ashamed of, though, because I think the majority of us are hardwired that way. An AMS software implementation is going to be one of the most challenging projects your organization will face. With new software comes new processes, training, and adjusting. It’s a lot to take in! Encourage your staff to ask as many questions as possible and to voice any concerns. It’s better to express them sooner than later. By putting everyone’s thoughts out there in the open, you can get to the root of their concerns and find a solution to alleviate them.
5. “Tomorrow is another day.” – Gone with the Wind
.gif "giphy (29).gif")
You and your staff will need to define your membership software requirements and be very specific about what you want. One department might consider something a priority, while another is more focused on keeping costs down. However, they don’t understand that the features may not be useful in helping you do your jobs more efficiently. Does any of this sound familiar? There’s going to conflicts of interest when defining your system requirements because you’ll be forced to dig deeper and assess what is essential for your organization. During this process, if you reach the end of a business day not having fully defined your requirements, then keep in mind tomorrow is a new day and you can revisit it with a fresh outlook.
The same can be said during the actual implementation period. If you encounter obstacles that leave you feeling frustrated, then it’s good to take step back and sleep on it. This might also depend on how time sensitive the issue is. You can be the judge of that.
6. “In every job that must be done, there must be an element of fun.” – Mary Poppins 
Once you’ve selected your membership software and have begun the implementation, it’s important to bear in mind that this process will be the most challenging part your team will face. During this period, it’s good to celebrate milestones you hit—no matter how big or small. For every accomplishment you achieve, take time to appreciate it and recognize those staff members who were involved. This is an excellent way to keep the morale high and remind everyone that this investment will be beneficial to everyone in the long-run.
7. “Sometimes the right path isn’t the easiest one.” – Pocahontas
.gif "giphy (31).gif")
Let’s say your team is at a crossroads on whether to stay with your current member management system or it’s justifiable to “break up” with it. Whichever path you decide has to be right for not just your organization and staff, but also for your members. That might be a lot to consider, but sometimes the hard decision might be what’s best for everyone in the long-run. Only you and your team know the answer to this. Take time to evaluate your current system and what the upgrade path is. Ask yourself and your team if this software is meeting your needs and will continue to meet your needs in the future.
Here are some questions to ask:
- Has member engagement been easy to track with your system?
- Is your software helping you achieve your organization’s strategic goals?
- Is your data easy to find?
- Are you struggling to pull a simple view or a company record?
- What measures has your vendor taken to protect your software from cyber attacks? Do they even have a system in place?
Has your organization decided to move forward with a new software system? With these powerful quotes in mind, now you probably want a more in depth look into how an implementation goes? Download our eBook to find out!
