Digital transformation is essential for member-based organizations, but the path forward isn’t always simple. Finding the right solution starts with a strong understanding of the technology hurdles that create the most friction in day-to-day operations. So, we wanted to know:

What specific operational pain points are organizations struggling with most?

Method

To answer this, we randomly selected 65 of Vocalmeet’s introductory meetings from the past 1.5 years. We then:

• Reviewed our detailed notes and transcripts
• Organized recurring pain points into standardized categories
• Mapped each issue to the appropriate category
• Ranked those categories by frequency

This whitepaper presents our findings and explores the most common challenges organizations reported with their current systems and workflows. It also aims to offer a practical lens to help organizations plan a more resilient technology foundation for the future ahead.

Key Findings

1. Frustration with data silos caused by fragmentation: More than 87% (57/65) of organizations reported struggling with fragmented systems, describing their technology stacks as disconnected and inefficient.
2. Administrative burden and workflow inefficiency: 72% (47/65) of organizations reported that manual processes, workarounds, spreadsheets, and repetitive administrative tasks continue to slow down their teams.
3. Sensitivity to cost and the need for phased adoption: 60% (39/65) of organizations preferred the phased adoption of solutions. Since pricing remains a major factor, starting with smaller commitments before expanding may be a practical approach.

Additional Findings 

Beyond these three main areas, our review uncovered several other recurring themes. From most to least frequently encountered, these include:

1. Complex membership structures
2. Learning as revenue and compliance infrastructure
3. Leadership transitions and organizational readiness
4. Integration with existing systems
5. Reporting and analytics gaps
6. Vendor lock-in and contract timing
7. Digital experience and growth orientation

Note: This overview is based on aggregated data from a limited set of client meetings and is intended for informational purposes only.

Introduction

Today’s modern technology has created new opportunities to connect and engage. For member-based organizations, there has never been a better time to reach members and provide the support they need.

These opportunities, however, depend on building the right foundation. Here, technology vendors can act as business partners, providing the backbone for core workflows that keep programs running and members engaged.

But as the online world evolves, so do member expectations. In an ideal environment, systems would adapt alongside us every step of the way. In reality, technical frustrations occasionally pop up, challenging organizations to keep up.

That’s why leaders need to understand what’s causing the most friction. The following sections break down the most common technology pain points we encountered, as well as practical ways to resolve them.

The Big Three Technology Struggles Dominating the Conversation

1. Frustration with Data Silos Caused by Fragmentation

In more than 87% (57/65) of our meetings, organizations identified fragmented systems as a major cause of chaotic workflows. Also known as the Silo Effect, this occurs when data is trapped within individual applications, making it inaccessible to other parts of the business (Noble, 2023).

Instead of operating as a single system, data is scattered across disconnected tools, such as separate webinar platforms, e-commerce systems, learning platforms, and member management databases. These “Frankenstein Stacks”, as Noble (2023) puts it, create inefficiencies and long-term risk for organizations.

When isolated tools can’t communicate, routine processes become inefficient and unproductive. As one lead put it, “Our data is everywhere. There’s no single source of truth.” These internal gaps can eventually impact the experience for both members and staff.

For members, logging into different portals to pay dues, register for events, or access education can increase friction and, consequently, the risk of disengagement. Over time, this can erode trust and may even weaken the perceived value of membership.

For staff, manually reconciling information across platforms can reduce productivity and divert focus from strategic goals.

Our Suggestion: Integrated All-In-One Platforms 

Integrated all-in-one platforms bring core organizational functions together into a single, connected environment. This allows systems (such as association management systems (AMS), learning management systems (LMS), and event platforms) to share data and workflows.

This two-way integration setup keeps data consistent across two or more applications over time (Gitlin, 2023). In other words, if data is added, removed, or updated in an application, the integrated systems perform the same action.

For example, instead of exporting spreadsheets from an event portal just to update a main database, integrations can automatically sync information. This functionality gives administrators the confidence that every department is working with the exact same data, ultimately reducing operational friction.

Beyond Integration: The Natively All-in-One Platform

While integrated systems are a solid solution to the fragmentation problem, a natively all-in-one platform takes it one step further. Built as a single system that doesn’t rely on integration, operations and workflows naturally connect. Providers can simply toggle built-in features on or off for organizations as their needs change. Outside of linking a tool like Zoom or Microsoft Teams, the core infrastructure remains the same.

Added benefits of natively all-in-one platforms include:

• No Broken Connections: Third-party integrations may require maintenance and can sometimes break after updates. Native systems don’t suffer from this.
• Cost Savings: Full integration, cross-system maintenance, and development can be expensive, especially if they’re required for every system. Native platforms bypass this type of upkeep.
• Less Conflict: Not all systems want to “play nice” with each other. But when they’re native to the platform, they aren’t just behaving: they’re a single system!
• Instant Scalability: Adding or removing functionalities is as simple as flipping a switch. Because the foundation is already there, organizations can expand their operations and scale their offerings as needed.

2. Administrative Burden & Workflow Inefficiency

72% (47/65) of organizations we spoke to sought systems that automate and simplify workflows to improve efficiency. Manual tasks still remain a major source of friction for many; repetitive administrative work can take time away from member-focused priorities and may even increase the risk of human error.

Our Solution: Increased Automation

Automation lets your software handle everyday administrative duties, like:

• Centralizing data for real-time insights.
• Lowering operational bottlenecks by putting routine data entry on autopilot.
• Handling higher data and payment volumes.

According to Perez (2023), over 90% of surveyed teams reported that automation increased their productivity, and 85% reported better collaboration. Additionally, nearly 90% trusted automation tools to reduce errors and speed up decision-making.

With the repetitive work out of the way, teams free up their hands to focus on higher-value work that actually drives their organization’s growth.

3. Sensitivity to Cost & Subsequent Need for Phased Adoption

Budget considerations arose in 60% (39/65) of our meetings. While organizations often require modern technology, financial realities remain a major driver in deciding whether to upgrade or wait.

Our Solution: Phased Adoption

Instead of jumping into a massive, all-in launch, organizations can gradually migrate individual systems onto a new platform through an iterative approach. This not only breaks the total cost of migration down into chunks but also allows them to validate their return on investment on a smaller scale before committing further resources.

Additionally, this strategy means that software costs only grow as needs expand. With the right structure, one large expense becomes several smaller ones, leading to a more manageable process and fewer budget constraints that block modernization and optimization.

Part 2: Other Notable Findings

While the “Big Three” dominated our rankings, several other themes surfaced repeatedly. These friction points may have been less prominent, but they still shape daily operations and strategic decisions.

4. Complex Membership Structures

In 49% (32/65) of our meetings, organizations reported that standard software doesn’t meet their structural needs. That’s because memberships don’t always follow a “one-size-fits-all” model. They can span from individual students and professionals to multi-layered corporate partners, each with distinct privileges, pricing tiers, and renewal cycles.

Without the right system, platforms may flatten these differences and force diverse member groups into generic profiles. This removes important context about who the members are and what benefits they should receive.

Our Solution: Multi-Tier Logic

Membership tiers represent different levels of access to benefits, content, or services (Vizor, 2025). With the right platform and configuration, organizations can map real relationships among members, define interconnected account structures, and automate privileges.

For example, an organization could configure its memberships so that when a parent organization purchases a corporate membership, the system automatically recognizes that individuals belonging to the organization should receive the appropriate member discounts. This preserves each member’s unique context without constant administrative oversight.

5. Learning as Revenue & Compliance Infrastructure

In almost 34% (22/65) of our meetings, organizations needed learning systems capable of managing continuing education (CE), certification, compliance tracking, and monetized education.

CE initiatives contribute significantly to organizational performance through enhanced productivity, innovation, and skill acquisition (Noniashvili & Kobalia, 2025). What’s more, these initiatives are closely tied to revenue and member value.

Our Solution: An eCommerce-Enabled, Compliance-Ready LMS

A learning management system (LMS) can help organizations manage the full education process in one place, from registration and attendance tracking to completion records, credit assignment, and certificate delivery.

With a capable LMS, organizations can connect the following in one place:

• Learning content
• Events and webinars
• E-commerce and payments
• Continuing education credit tracking
• Certificates and completion records
• Reporting
• Member education records

Organizations can reduce manual work, meet compliance requirements, and turn educational programs into a scalable source of non-dues revenue.

6. Leadership Transitions & Organizational Readiness

We found that a little over 24% (16/65) of the organizations we spoke to reported that leadership transitions can slow or stall major digital initiatives while interim leaders fill the vacancy.

Because technology projects may often require strong backing, organizations tend to delay commitments during these periods. Unfortunately, postponing critical implementations can keep teams stuck in inefficient workflows and delay improvements to the member experience.

Our Solution: A Solid Continuity Plan

A good continuity plan should distribute digital projects across dedicated teams rather than a single executive, so organizations can maintain momentum even when leadership changes. This way, a new leader can step into an active initiative rather than inherit a stalled idea.

Anderson (2025) explains that a solid transition plan can help reduce leadership disruption by giving organizations a clear roadmap. By addressing immediate operational needs and preparing for long-term success, the plan creates a stronger foundation for new leaders to step in, adapt, and make a meaningful impact.

Documentation of goals, requirements, and vendor criteria (along with ongoing communication with technology vendors) provides projects with enough structure to withstand transitions and helps new leaders avoid having to restart research from the beginning.

7. Integration with Existing Systems

In 23% (15/65) of our meetings, organizations wanted to modernize their systems without fully replacing the tools they already use.

For many teams, existing customer relationship management (CRM), finance, payment, or reporting systems are already tied to their daily operations. Even when these tools create friction, organizations may not be ready to abandon them all at once. Instead, they want new platforms that can connect with their current systems and enable a gradual transition.

Our Solution: Flexible Integration

Flexible integration options can help organizations modernize without forcing an immediate full-system replacement. Application programming interface (API), phased implementation, and integration planning allow teams to connect key systems, reduce duplicate work, and move toward a more central technology environment over time.

See also: Phased Adoption above.

8. Reporting and Analytics Gaps

23% (15/65) of organizations highlighted a strong desire for better reporting and analytics, which can turn everyday administrative data into actionable insight. Tracking member behavior (like event attendance, course completion, and retention trends) can help organizations understand what truly drives value.

The University of Pennsylvania (2022) further explains that using data effectively helps organizations update services to match evolving needs, refine marketing efforts, and improve member support. This adaptability can make the difference between a growing network and a stagnant one.

Without this visibility, organizations lack a clear view of overall organizational health and may struggle to answer basic questions about enrollment, retention, and loyalty.

Our Solution: Centralized Analytics and Custom Reporting

To improve analytics capabilities, organizations need a way to connect and interpret their data. A centralized analytics framework or all-in-one platform can bring information into a single visual report, making it easier to track member behavior across programs and touchpoints.

For example, metrics like engagement rates and click-throughs show what works, while trend analysis helps organizations re-engage at-risk members and shape future courses, events, and resources.

To take it one step further, organizations can look for platforms with custom and AI-enabled reporting. These tools can automate data aggregation, generate tailored insights, and help flag unusual patterns. In addition, teams can also ask specific questions and create reports based on their immediate needs, making it easier to understand the data and identify practical next steps.

9. Vendor Lock-In & Contract Timing

15% (10/65) of the organizations we met with said existing vendor contracts delayed their ability to modernize.

Even when teams recognize the need for better systems, multi-year contracts can limit when they can make a change. This can slow down decision-making, extend buying timelines, and even create a gap between interest and implementation.

Our Solution: Track Renewal Cycles Strategically

Tracking contract timelines early allows organizations to plan modernization efforts before renewal deadlines. With the right roadmap, teams can compare options, prepare budgets, and avoid being forced into another contract cycle with systems that no longer meet their needs. This is also another area in which the Phased Adoption method can be useful.

As a bonus, choosing an all-in-one platform eliminates much of the work involved in tracking multiple vendors, contracts, and renewal timelines. This gives teams fewer administrative details to manage and more time to focus on member needs.

10. Digital Experience & Growth Orientation

Finally, in almost 5% (3/65) of our meetings, organizations discussed modernization in terms of digital growth and expanded revenue opportunities.

These conversations went beyond fixing operational pain points to explore how a stronger digital experience could improve the entire member experience, from engagement and monetization to online learning, events, and ultimately long-term growth.

Our Solution: Choose a Platform Built to Evolve

A modern platform should not only solve today’s operational problems but also grow alongside changing member expectations, digital business models, and technology innovations.

As artificial intelligence (AI), automation, analytics, and personalization become more important, organizations need platforms that can adapt without forcing a full rebuild every few years. By choosing a flexible, scalable platform that supports today’s needs while adapting to future innovations, organizations can create a stronger digital experience while keeping their current technology partner and platform.

Conclusion

These findings point to a consistent (if expected) pattern: professional organizations require systems that simplify daily work without limiting their ability to serve members, respond to change, and support growth.

Further, a strong technology foundation can be that solution, helping teams operate with greater confidence while preparing for what comes next.

Interested in learning more? Contact us to book a meeting to discuss your organization’s needs today!

References

Agile Alliance. (2015, December 17). What is an Iteration? Agile Alliance |. https://agilealliance.org/glossary/iteration/

Anderson, K. (2025, September 16). Effective leadership transition plan: Ensure smooth role changes. Nonprofit Leadership Training – Incite Consulting Inc – Nonprofit Leadership and Fundraising Consulting. https://inciteconsultinggroup.com/effective-leadership-transitions-start-with-a-solid-transition-plan/

Gitlin, J. (2023, December 13). Two-way API integration: examples, benefits, and tools. Merge.dev; Merge. https://www.merge.dev/blog/two-way-api-integration

Noniashvili, M., & Kobalia, Z. (2025). Measuring the ROI of continuing education initiatives in business organizations. Social Economics, 71, 221–235. https://doi.org/10.26565/2524-2547-2025-71-18

Noble, P. (2023, October 27). Beware of the “Frankenstein Stack” of data systems. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/paulnoble/2023/10/27/beware-of-the-frankenstein-stack-of-data-systems/

Perez, J. (2023, April 12). How Automation Drives Business Growth and Efficiency. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/sponsored/2023/04/how-automation-drives-business-growth-and-efficiency

University of Pennsylvania. (2022, October 20). 5 key reasons why data analytics is important to business | penn LPS online. Penn LPS. https://lpsonline.sas.upenn.edu/features/5-key-reasons-why-data-analytics-important-business

Vizor, D. (2025, October 7). Membership tiers: The ultimate guide to building, pricing, and naming your levels (with 10+ examples). GroupApp. https://www.group.app/blog/membership-tiers/

Vocalmeet. (2025, February 28). All about microlearning: Why less means more. Online Learning Solutions | Association Management System | Vocalmeet. https://vocalmeet.com/all-about-microlearning/

Vocalmeet. (2025, July 23). 5 key reasons why you should automate your organization’s operations. Vocalmeet. https://vocalmeet.com/5-reasons-to-automate/

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As economic uncertainty grows and membership growth softens, members may become more selective about where they spend time, money, and attention. Consequently, organizations are under pressure to prove their value.

Continuing education (CE) offers a practical way to respond. Strong CE programs can help organizations strengthen their role as trusted sources of knowledge, deliver career-focused value, support professional development, and create non-dues revenue opportunities.

This whitepaper explores how CE can help organizations:

• Increase revenue potential
• Sustain member engagement
• Expand their influence

It also outlines three practical ways to improve CE:

• Offer flexible learning across formats
• Apply the right tools to boost course completion rates
• Use data to shape your course catalog

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The real work begins after you’ve purchased your LMS.

The first hurdle is learning how to ensure your LMS implementation runs smoothly.

The second hurdle is managing the ongoing relationship with your vendor. This is where the importance of the post-purchase service shines.

Vendors typically have a client services team in place to help manage your LMS on an ongoing basis.

The vendor’s client services team will help you with any technical issues you may have, assist you with LMS user support, and train you on how to use the LMS. They’ll also be your advocate within their organization, helping you ensure your needs are met.

In this article, we’ll explore why your member-based organization should focus on post-purchase service, as well as highlight what to look for to ensure that your LMS platform is successful long-term.

1. What should you look for in a client services team?

Post-purchase service is important because it can make or break your return-on-investment projections for your organization.

When selecting a vendor to work with, you should look for a vendor with a client services team that is responsive, knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful–as well as committed to your success!

In addition, the vendor should have clear processes for handling support issues and training on new features so that you can be confident you’ll always have resources to turn to when you need help.

Here are some characteristics you should look for when it comes to a vendor’s post-purchase service:

• A responsive team will be available when you need them and will be quick to respond to your inquiries.
• A knowledgeable team will be able to answer your questions and help you troubleshoot issues.
• A friendly and helpful team will make you feel like a valued customer.
• And a committed team will want to help you get the most out of your investment. They’re pulling for everyone’s success in the project: both you and them!

When considering a post-purchase service team, make sure to find one that meets all of these criteria. By working with a vendor that is committed to providing you with excellent service, you can be confident that you’ll be able to get the most out of your LMS for years to come.

2. What is a service-level agreement (SLA), and why should you care about it?

When considering an LMS, it is vital to ensure you review your service-level agreement (also called an SLA) before signing on with a vendor. This is a legal agreement between you and the vendor that outlines the level of service you can expect from them.

SLAs are important because they give you a clear understanding of what to expect from the team regarding response times, issue resolution, training, and support. There are various levels of service that can be outlined in an SLA, so it’s important to select the one that meets the needs of your member-based organization.

For example, if you need 24/7 support, ensure that the vendor you’re considering has an SLA that meets this requirement.

Here is an overview of what to look for in an SLA:

• Response times: How quickly can you expect a response to your inquiry?
• Hours of operation: When will someone be available to help you?
• Issue resolution time frames: How long will it take for an issue to be resolved?
• Training and support: What kind of training and support are available?
• Security and compliance: What kind of security and compliance measures are in place?

When considering an LMS’ post-purchase service, be sure to ask about the team’s SLAs. This will give you a clear understanding of the level of service you can expect from your vendor in the future.

3. How can you track the level of service you’re currently receiving from your vendor?

It’s crucial to keep track of your vendor’s current level of service so that you can identify areas for improvement. Evaluation reports are only effective if they are shared between both parties and then properly acted upon. This is a normal part of the vendor management process.

Vendor management KPIs (key performance indicators) help you understand whether you’re receiving the level of service you expect from your vendor according to your SLA (which should list them). KPIs should be established for each critical element of the product and/or service.

In order to measure if you’re getting the level of service you purchase from your vendor, you need to establish a process that tracks KPI performance.

This can be done in a number of ways, including reviewing data from:

• Response times: Conduct an audit to measure how long it actually takes to get a response.
• Hours of operation: Send a message and see if someone gets back to you within the allotted period.
• Issue resolution time frames: Track how long it takes your vendor to respond to your inquiries/issues.
• Training and support: Evaluate the quality of training by asking your staff for feedback.

By implementing a process to track vendor performance, you’ll be able to work with your vendor to address any issues that may arise, as well as improve your system together. Remember to keep your vendor management KPIs in mind when purchasing an LMS; you need to be aware of the service you’re getting!

In order to ensure that you’re getting the best value for your money, be sure to ask about the vendor’s different SLAs and then examine how they measure up against other vendors in the market.

Conclusion

If you want to be sure that you’re getting the best possible service from your vendor, be sure to look for a quality client service team.

Make sure that you examine their service level agreements to ensure that they can satisfy your requirements.

Most importantly, continue to track the quality of your vendor’s service using the key performance indicators we discussed earlier.

By taking these steps, you can be confident that you’re getting the most out of your vendor relationship, even long after you’ve made your purchase!

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While there are pros and cons to each approach (third-party programs, your own programs, or a combination), hosting your own programs is often the best option for member-based organizations.

We’ll review the four main reasons why in this article:

1. You can significantly increase member engagement.

Offering continuing education is a great way for member-based organizations to create meaningful interactions that provide value for their members.

Offering CE increases the number of touchpoints an organization has with its members and can help create a sense of community and connection.

Additionally, CE can aid in the development of your member’s professional development. When members improve their skills through your organization, the value they get from being a member increases.

Associations and similar organizations exist to help their members thrive, so the more opportunities you provide to update their skills, the better your member-based organization will be!

2. You can generate more non-dues revenue.

The ability to offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs) is a valuable perk that can help member-based organizations attract and retain members. Not just that–by not sending your members to third-party learning websites, you get to keep that valuable non-dues revenue within your own organization!

Online courses are generally more affordable to produce than traditional in-person courses. However, even in-person sessions can be useful when building your member-based organization’s CE program; they can be recorded and placed online!

Recording in-person CE courses is often a more affordable option than building an entire online course from scratch, and it provides the chance for a greater audience to access your original sessions.

Not only does this produce a better experience for members, but it can also generate more non-dues revenue for the organization. Organizations can charge members a fee to access courses, and they can also sell advertising space on the course pages (or even offer sponsored courses!) to earn additional income.

The perks don’t end here, though! By hosting their own continuing education programs, organizations can provide their members with valuable content that’s geared towards their industry. This can include certification programs, which can be a major selling point for memberships!

If your member-based organization is looking for ways to generate additional non-dues revenue, consider creating your own continuing education program online; when you host your own CE program, both you and your members win!

3. You can gain insight into your members’ learning experience and translate it into better courses.

The online learning experience of your members is vital to the success of their professional development endeavors. When you send your members to third-party sites, you are no longer an active participant in their learning, which decreases the connection between an organization and its audience!

The solution, however, is simple: by hosting your own courses, you can ensure your members have the best possible learning experience–the one you curate just for them!

When you host your own online program, your member-based organization gains access to valuable data in the form of various analytics, such as course completion rates, average time spent on each course, and course popularity.

Having access to analytics will also help you improve your courses and make them more engaging for your members.

By analyzing the data from your learning management system, you’ll be able to target any weak areas in the program and allocate resources exactly where they’re needed. Even further, by understanding how your members learn online, you can tailor content to their unique needs!

The insight your organization can gain into the experience of its members can be invaluable. When properly utilized, it can help you improve the quality of your courses, better assess member engagement, and make decisions about the future of your programs. Once again, everyone wins!

4. You can provide a more valuable, tailored learning experience.

Third-party learning sites offer a wide variety of courses, but they may not cover the specific topics that members are interested in. These sites are made to cater to audiences in multiple industries, so the content that’s relevant to your members may end up few and far between.

By hosting their own continuing education programs, organizations can provide their members with a more customized experience. Each course is tailored to the needs of the member base, so it’s guaranteed to be useful and applicable!

Tailored content is not only more relevant, but it’s also more engaging. When members know that the content is created with their career goals and aspirations in mind, they are more likely to enjoy the learning experience your organization provides.

A more personalized learning experience might also be beneficial to your member-based organization because it may help you attract new members!

When potential members see that your organization offers courses that are relevant and industry-specific, they will see the value in joining your organization.

Conclusion

When member-based organizations create their own CE content, members are given the ability to learn about valuable, niche topics, while also allowing them to network with other professionals and members in their field–meaning your member-based organization can hit multiple birds with one stone!

You may also like: How to Improve Continuing Education for Your Association

At their core, member-based organizations exist to help their members engage, learn, and thrive. Don’t let your member-based organization fall behind when it comes to continuing education resources; aim for the top and create your own perfect program! Your organization’s members will be glad you did.

The post Why Member-Based Organizations Are Choosing to Host Their Own Continuing Education Programs appeared first on Online Learning Solutions | Association Management System | Vocalmeet.

When it comes to offering continuing education (CE) courses, member-based organizations typically have three main options: they can send their members to third-party learning sites, host their own programs, or offer a combination of both.

The first option may sound tempting, largely due to the convenience and affordability of these sites. However, when organizations opt only to send their members to third-party learning sites, they may inadvertently do more harm than good!

In this article, we’re breaking down the four key reasons why entirely outsourcing your CE courses to third parties can backfire and, more importantly, how to help preserve the core value of your organization’s membership.

Key Takeaways:

While sending members away to third-party eLearning platforms might seem convenient, it can come with hidden costs. Here’s what your organization loses when you direct your audience elsewhere:

• Decreased Engagement: Directing members off-site reduces their interaction with your organization and distances them from your brand.
• Lost Revenue: You miss out on non-dues revenue and upselling opportunities by handing them over to unaffiliated platforms.
• Missing Data: You lose access to vital analytics on member progress, satisfaction, and learning habits.
• Sacrificed Quality: External platforms offer generalized content, meaning you lose control over the accuracy and relevance of the courses your members take.

1. You’re losing out on valuable member engagement opportunities

When you send members to third-party learning sites, their overall engagement with your organization can decrease; they’re less likely to interact with your website (their courses aren’t there, after all!) and other communication channels.

Remember: Members are often drawn to organizations because of their professional development opportunities. According to Athitakis (2025), the top benefits of joining an association are all related to education, with 83% citing professional development, 82% citing continuing education credits, and 80% citing certifications or designations. If you aren’t providing these yourself, you’re distancing yourself from your audience.

2. You’re missing out on revenue

When your members take courses on third-party eLearning sites, your organization can lose out on a significant opportunity for non-dues revenue.

You’re directing your audience away from your site (plus any of its other possible revenue paths) and into the hands of a likely unaffiliated entity.

These other organizations then have the opportunity to upsell and cross-sell products and services to your members…some of which may even overlap with your own offerings!

Plus, the convenience of buying multiple products on one platform should not be discounted. Consider: would you rather purchase several products on several sites, or several products on one site?

Think of what made companies like Amazon so popular: convenience. It’s easier for your members to buy from one place, and it’s easier for your organization to sell products when you can upsell and cross-sell.

3. You’re losing out on valuable data

When members take courses on third-party eLearning sites, your organization loses out on valuable data that could be used to improve your services. Gathering useful data (including what courses are being taken, how members are progressing, and what their overall satisfaction levels are) is crucial for understanding the wants and needs of members, as well as how you can better cater to them in the future.

In fact, the University of Pennsylvania (2022) explains that leveraging your data allows you to easily update your services to match evolving demands, refine marketing efforts, and optimize member service. This adaptability can mean the difference between a thriving network and a stagnant one!

So don’t look down on analytics. They can pinpoint areas of weakness in your programs, as well as provide key insight on what makes your more successful courses work. Information is valuable for a reason!

4. You’re sacrificing quality

It may be cliché to say “quality over quantity”, but it’s a truism that applies here.

Directing members to external eLearning sites limits your organization’s control over program quality, branding, and user experience. As a result, course quality and consistency may not always align with your standards.

Additionally, third-party programs are typically designed to appeal to the widest possible audience; they may not even offer courses that cater to the more niche needs of your field.

As a member-based organization, you know your members better than anyone. So, when it comes to offering quality, relevant content, it doesn’t make sense to send them anywhere else!

You may also like: Never Stop Learning: Continuing Education Inside and Out

Conclusion

While it may seem like a good idea to send your members to third-party eLearning sites, in reality, it can sometimes do more harm than good.

If you want to keep your members close and nurture your relationship with them, it’s best to keep them within your domain. Not only does this allow you to better serve them, but in the long run, it can also help you grow your organization as a whole!

REFERENCES

Athitakis, M. (2025, April 15). Report: Members Look to Associations for Career Support | Associations Now. Retrieved from Associations Now website: https://associationsnow.com/2025/04/report-members-look-to-associations-for-career-support/

University of Pennsylvania. (2022, October 20). 5 key reasons why data analytics is important to business | penn LPS online. Penn LPS. https://lpsonline.sas.upenn.edu/features/5-key-reasons-why-data-analytics-important-business

The post The Hidden Costs of Outsourcing Your Continuing Education to Third-Party Providers appeared first on Online Learning Solutions | Association Management System | Vocalmeet.

While both systems have similarities, there are several distinct differences that you should keep in mind.

Association LMS vendors exclusively work with non-profit organizations.

They enable associations to sell and deliver continuing education (CE) courses online. This type of LMS is also CE compliant and offers features like CE credit tracking, eCommerce functionality, and tiered pricing.

Corporate LMS vendors work primarily with for-profit organizations.

For-profit organizations don’t need to sell courses–they need to train their employees. Corporate learning management systems are used internally to provide training on health and safety, compliance, and management processes.

Though each type of LMS provides online learning, they are vastly different systems.

In this blog, we’ll be going over the 4 main differences between corporate and association LMS:

1. Corporate LMS are for employees; association LMS are for members

Associations have members, not employees.

While it may not appear so at first glance, providing continuing education to members is drastically different from training employees!

Association LMS vendors understand this and offer features that are tailored to the needs of associations.

These features include:

• eCommerce functionality
• Continuing education credit tracking
• Non-skippable video (used to ensure that members can’t skip to the end of the course without watching the entire video)
• Integration with Association Management Systems (AMS)

Your members are not your employees; they are the lifeblood of your association.

Ensure that you are selecting a learning management system that is designed specifically for the needs of your members–and your association! This will lead to improved member engagement and a higher ROI.

2. Corporate courses are free for employees; members pay for CE courses

Association members need to pay for courses, while courses for employees are generally free, as they are provided by the corporation itself.

Unlike corporations, who generate their revenue elsewhere, associations need their courses to generate non-dues revenue.

Corporations need to train their employees; associations need to provide value to members (at a cost).

Association learning management systems are similar to eCommerce sites like Amazon and eBay. Members can search, purchase, and complete courses directly on the LMS, much like searching for an ebook on Amazon, purchasing it, and reading it in the connected app: all-in-one functionality!

On the other hand, corporate LMS are similar to libraries: you can access information, but you don’t have to pay for it.

3. Associations need to promote their CE; corporations don’t

Associations that promote their continuing education to their members effectively see a significant increase in the number of members that enroll in courses, as well as an increase in non-dues revenue and member engagement. Because of this, marketing is essential to success for associations.

You may also be interested in: 3 Ways to Increase Non-dues Revenue for Your Association’s Online Continuing Education Program

Corporations, on the other hand, don’t need to promote their LMS.

Their courses are mandatory for employees, so enrollment is guaranteed. Additionally, their courses don’t generate revenue, so there is no ROI to worry about.

4. Corporations focus on compliance; associations offer continuing education

Compliance training helps corporations reduce risk (and physical documentation); it keeps digital records to prove an employee was trained and informed of specific laws and policies.

Compliance training is also a critical part of any corporate environment. It ensures that employees are well-versed in the laws and policies that govern their job, while also keeping employee records that can be used in audits or legal proceedings.

Associations offer continuing education courses so that their members maintain their right to practice their profession.

Many careers require certification for practice and require those certificates to be updated over time.

Continuing professional development is also highly prized, allowing association members to gain more skills and increase their career value. Compliance training is for protecting the company; continuing education is for enhancing members’ skills.

You may also like: How to Improve Continuing Education for Your Association

Associations Need an LMS That Is Made for Associations.

Now that you understand the differences between a corporate LMS and an association LMS, it should be easy to spot them when you’re looking to purchase your own.

Make sure you pick the learning management system that caters to your association; choose it for your members, focus on non-dues revenue, let it promote your programs, and have it offer big CE value.

Don’t go “corporate”–go “association”!

The post Corporate vs Association LMS: Key Differences Explained appeared first on Online Learning Solutions | Association Management System | Vocalmeet.