MEASURE YOUR RESULTS.
Go ahead. Put a yardstick (or, in this case, the magnifying ruler we
recently sent you) to the results test.
Did your investment generate a positive return? Did you get the R.O.I.
you’d wanted? Did your membership event produce both immediate and lasting
success?
And yes, we said Membership “Event,” not just a membership “drive.”
Anyone can take your money, pop out some postcards, throw some chicken in a chafing dish, and call it an “event.”
But that’s like saying filet mignon and then serving fast-food burger patties. Great promise but disappointing delivery.
Your Chamber Connection delivers
the real thingin total-event effectiveness,
total-event quality, total-event honesty, and total-event follow-up service.
Before you sign up for some membership cultivation service, look at the miles
as well as the inches. Look at the substance over the style. Look to Your Chamber Connection, because
when it comes to results, we measure up...not down.
Ken Higdon, CCE, President of
the
434 smile
later…..
RETENTION DEPT: By
I was talking recently with one of our clients regarding Membership Retention.
We were not even discussing Membership Events but just Membership Retention and
how hard it can be
We know that those who become involved in the Chamber usually renew, but so
many of the members do not become involved. We were sure they put most of the
Chamber’s informational mailings in the circular file.
I asked a question that I had been curious about for a long time. “Of the
members that participate with us in their Membership Event, how many of them
were no longer members?” We had spent 47 minutes going over with them the
features and benefits of Chamber membership. We did this with enthusiasm and
high energy. For most of them, this was a positive volunteer experience. Also,
for many it was the first time they had heard the full overview of what the
Chamber does.
Some of those that participated were loyal, involved Chamber members. Some were
members that did not usually participate in Chamber functions, and some were
not even Chamber members but volunteered to help out a Chamber member friend.
In retrospect, our client felt that few that participated in her Membership
Event had left the Chamber, and many more of the volunteers were more involved
than they had ever been in a Chamber project.
We both knew the story of the member that owned a large company and had stayed
a member but never was involved. He was asked to chair the Event with 5 other
business leaders. He agreed, did what was asked of
him, and more. He became very involved with the Membership Event and 6 years
later is their incoming Chairman of the Board.
Our client considered who participated with energy in their Membership Event
and told me, “I think we may have one or two future Board Chairmen here now and
a number of future Board Members, for sure.”
The moral of the story? Get 100 or more members
involved in a YCC Membership Event, and you are bound
to have more total involvement in the Chamber and a higher
retention average.
THIS IS TRICKY DEPT: A test for Dementia. Below are
four (4) questions and a bonus question. You have to answer them instantly. You
can't take your time; answer all of them immediately. OK? Let's find out just
how clever you really are.
First Question: You are participating in a race. You overtake the second
person. What position are you in? Answer: If you answered that you are
first, then you are absolutely wrong! If you overtake
the second person and you take his place, you are second! Try not to screw up
in the next question. To answer the second question, don't take as much time as
you took for the first question.
Second Question: If you overtake the last person, then you are...?
Answer: If you answered that you are second to last, then
you are wrong again. Tell me, how can you overtake the LAST Person? You're not
very good at this! Are you?
Third Question: Very tricky math! Note: This must be done in your head
only. Do NOT use paper and pencil or a calculator. Try it. Take 1000 and add 40
to it. Now add another! 1000. Now add 30. Add another 1000. Now add 20. Now add
another 1000. Now add 10. What is the total? Scroll down for answer. Did you
get 5000? The correct answer is actually 4100. Don't believe it? Check
with your calculator!
Today is definitely not your day. Maybe you will get the last question right.
Fourth Question: Mary's father has five daughters: 1. Nana, 2. Nene, 3. Nini, 4. Nono. What is the name of the fifth daughter?
Answer: Nunu? NO! Of course
not. Her name is Mary. Read the question again.
Okay, now the bonus round: There is a mute person who wants to buy a
toothbrush. By imitating the action of brushing one's teeth, he successfully
expresses himself to the shopkeeper, and the purchase is done. Now if there is
a blind man who wishes to buy a pair of sunglasses, how should he express
himself?
He just has to open his mouth and ask. (Want to frustrate the
smart rear ends in your life.?
Confront them with this test.)
ZOOT SUIT DEPT: Airport Experiences.
Through the years I’ve gotten used to people starring at me as I walk through
airports. Honestly, how many businessmen wear red, purple or orange Zoot Suites? Not many.
During a recent trip to
BEEN THERE, GOING WHERE DEPT:
Since our last newsletter, we have completed Membership Events in:
We will finish up the year in
In January/February we will be in Laguna Niguel,
CA, (our 1st Event),