A member management solution is at the center of your club management and having confidence that the system you’re using is robust, efficient, and backed by results in your field is essential.  

So, what happens when you’re not confident in your current system (or lack of a system) and its ability to meet your needs?

The task of evaluating alternative providers is daunting, and it can be disruptive to tackle a new core software. When you do decide to make the switch, you need to know you’re making the right decision and that implementation will go as smoothly as possible.

We compiled the top three things to avoid in a software transition. If you catch wind of any of these, run the other way!

Three Things to Avoid in a Software Transition

When software transitions go well, your club leaves well poised to drive your business forward. When software transitions go poorly, they can cost you time, money, and efficiency.

1. Loss of Data + Time

Your club has very important data in your current club management system. You can’t afford to lose that in a software transition.

Make sure this is at the forefront of all transition conversations. There will be some internal work for you and your team, such as ensuring business processes and data structures are updated, organized, and clearly defined. Your potential software partner should spend time with your team to understand your processes and ensure a smooth transition. If a new software team causes you to doubt whether they understand your data and are committed to the smoothest and most secure transition possible, get out of there! It’s not going to end well.  

To prevent wasted time, consider how your new provider approaches implementation and how their technology processes will impact your data and staff’s time.  

• How will a potential partner work with your team to clean up data and save your staff time?  
• How many dedicated training opportunities does a new partner provide, so your staff can focus on what’s important?
  

2. Spinning Your Wheels

How can you be sure you won't experience the same problems you have with your current provider? Before you start an implementation, take time to study your potential provider to ensure they have what it takes to meet your needs. Beyond a sense of the system’s baseline capabilities, list the problems your staff experience with your current system on a day-to-day basis. Consider these questions:

• How does your existing technology keep you from achieving your revenue goals?
• What regularly causes frustration when using the system?
• What questions do you have about members, prospects and customers that can’t be answered with your current systems?
  

Once you have as detailed a list as possible, make sure you understand how a new provider will you help avoid these problems.

3. Getting Lost Along the Way

Do you have confidence in the long-term value your new partner will provide your organization? One of the first considerations you want to make in a software transition is cost, but you should never look at cost alone.

Work to define the real value of investing in new technology and how you’ll judge its impact. Will you look at staff efficiency? Maybe number of new member joins? Set those goals at the outset. If you’re working with a software team that acts as your long-term partner, they’ll be able to give you data on how your goals align with your investment.

Your Club Management Software Buyer’s Guide

These considerations are only the beginning. There’s a lot at stake in your club management software decision, so we’ve compiled a Buyer’s Guide that includes all the other factors at play.  Download the guide below.

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