Don’t worry. There already exists a solution to help you out, and it’s called a Learning Management System (LMS)!

The right LMS can help you streamline and automate many continuing education processes, helping your organization remain productive even during busy periods. By unburdening your team of tedious, recurring, manual workflows, you allow them to focus on the “personal touch” side of the sector: interacting with individual members!

In this post, we’ll cover how an LMS can help increase efficiencies in your organization, how you can leverage it for specific needs, and how to prepare your organization for the future. Let’s get started!

1. Examine Your Current Workflows

Before you start looking for an LMS, it’s important to examine your workflows and identify what needs improvement. This will help you determine what type of LMS to look for and how it can streamline your processes.

Consider which tasks are most time-consuming, then filter them by which processes are candidates for automation.

For example: Are you currently processing course registrations manually? What about certificates of completion? These are tasks that can be automated through an LMS.

There are a number of things a quality LMS can help your organization streamline. Here are just a few examples:

• Registering new members for continuing education courses
• Payment processing
• Scheduling and managing training sessions
• Generating course enrollment and completion analytics
• Tracking course progress for members
• Tracking and managing credits and certifications
• Integrating with other databases and systems
• Testing and assessment (with options for automatic grading!)
• Enabling course creation and management

Once you have a list of problems you need to be solved, begin crafting a requirements document–a list of everything you need for the perfect LMS.

There are lots of choices when it comes to procuring an LMS, of course; do you want one that’s custom-built or Software as a Service (SaaS)?

By identifying your needs (and wants!), you can start looking for the LMS that will fulfill them all!

2. Leverage Your LMS to Increase Productivity

Strategic use of your LMS is key to efficiently maximizing your time and resources.

By reducing the amount of time spent on mundane tasks, your staff will be able to commit more energy towards helping you reach greater heights and giving extra value to members.

Let’s take a look at how an LMS can increase productivity for your organization.

Pursue New Opportunities

By automating administrative tasks, staff can pursue new opportunities and ideas, such as expanding into new markets or launching new initiatives. This can help member-based organizations stay ahead of the curve; the ability to sustainably maintain growth while retaining members is key!

Administrative staff are the cogs in the wheel that keep an organization running efficiently day-to-day. The right LMS can eliminate many of the tedious, time-consuming tasks that administrators are subject to, freeing up more time to pursue creative activities that add value to members’ experience. These activities can include:

• Organizing webinars,
• Creating interactive programs and resources,
• Providing personalized career development services,
• Building a mentorship program,
• Organizing meet-ups to keep members engaged,
• Or even offering virtual office hours to help members with their questions and concerns!

Furthermore, teams can build relationships with external partners and pursue new revenue streams, giving their organization a nice boost. All of these initiatives help foster relationships, support collaboration, and ensure that members have access to the resources they need to succeed in their industry.

Remember: many members come to organizations to upskill, so by streamlining your course management processes, you can boost your quality and output in one fell swoop!

Develop Meaningful Relationships with Members

Without the burden of manual administrative tasks, staff can spend more time interacting with members and developing relationships, which can help increase member engagement and retention.

An engaged member base is key to the success of a member-based organization, so it’s important to invest time in strengthening and deepening relationships with your audience.

Develop and Implement New Programs

With more time on their hands, staff can focus on creating new programs for members. By providing targeted digital learning materials to your members, you can create a more engaging educational environment. You also add value to your organization’s membership by providing members with access to new skills and resources.

Fostering a better learning environment can help create a stronger sense of community, as well as create more opportunities for members to become more involved with your organization.

Providing online continuing education can also help foster relationships with members who may not have the same access to physical spaces or educational events, allowing them to become more involved and feel included. Everyone wins!

Focus on Data-Driven Decisions

With an LMS in place, staff can track and analyze data to make more informed decisions. This can help organizations make decisions that are based on facts and figures, rather than simple guesswork. This can also aid in streamlining your operations, allowing you to maximize the impact your time and resources can have on projects. Good analytics can guide you toward making decisions that are right for your organization (and your members!).

According to the University of Pennsylvania (2022), insights from business data analytics can help organizations update existing products or services to reflect changing demands, tweak marketing techniques, and optimize customer service. The enhanced adaptability can mean the difference between thriving and stalling.

For example, you can use real-time analytics to track the performance of members and courses, then use those insights to make any necessary adjustments. Additionally, you can use the data gathered from quizzes and tests to assess if members are truly grasping the material; if they do, great! If an unusual number of members are having trouble, that’s your cue to rework the material.

Overall, by using the data analytics a good LMS provides, organization leaders can better identify areas of improvement and prioritize tasks that will result in a stronger, more sustainable organization.

Member-based organizations that use these techniques are more Agile and responsive to the changing needs of their members and external partners, allowing them to pivot and adapt to the changing market as necessary. This ensures that everyone gets the best value from their investment in your organization.

3. Prepare Your Organization for the Future with an LMS

With the right LMS, you can prepare your organization for the future. An LMS helps you stay organized, yes, but did you know that it can also help your organization keep up with the latest trends?

Quality learning management systems can offer emergent technologies, such as mobile-friendly learning platforms and gamification.

Have you ever been browsing the internet on your phone, only to stumble on a page that’s too wide for the screen and too small to read? That’s an issue of mobile responsiveness, and you don’t want your organization’s sites to fall into this trap.

A good LMS will automatically optimize its layout for screens of all kinds: desktop, tablet, phone, you name it!

You may think this feature falls under the “nice to have” column, but consider–mobile use is only increasing, and members are more likely than ever to take courses on-the-go. Mobile-responsive platforms are the way of the future, so don’t let your organization miss out!

Gamification is also becoming more popular. Not only that, it’s quite effective! According to Lampropoulos and Sidiropoulos (2024), post-secondary students highly regard gamification as an effective educational approach that can increase their learning outcomes, engagement, productivity, and motivation. It can also trigger both their both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.

Everyone likes games, so make using your platform feel more like “play” and less like “work”. Virtual badges (also called eBadges) are one way to do this; by awarding members with these digital achievement stickers, you let them know they’re doing well!

Another version of this comes in the form of “engagement scores”–a metric that can tell you how well your members are taking advantage of your platform. Consider offering competitions and awards for high scores!

By including these features, you’ll be better able to help your organization stand out from the rest and ensure that you’re providing the best possible experience for your members.

With the right LMS, everybody wins!

You may also like: Launching Your New LMS: 6 Steps for a Successful Rollout

Conclusion

With a robust LMS, you can help your organization increase efficiency with ease!

Taking the time to examine your current workflow and selecting the right platform for the job will help you increase efficiency, save time, and set your organization up for success.

Start searching for the perfect LMS today!

REFERENCES

Lampropoulos, G., & Sidiropoulos, A. (2024). Impact of Gamification on Students’ Learning Outcomes and Academic Performance: A Longitudinal Study Comparing Online, Traditional, and Gamified Learning. Education Sciences (Basel), 14(4), 367–367. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14040367

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 LMS: How Associations Can Do More With Less appeared first on Online Learning Solutions | Association Management System | Vocalmeet.

Technology consolidation is the process of integrating multiple technology platforms into a single system. This can be done for a variety of reasons, but it’s often performed to improve efficiency or reduce costs.

Member-based organizations often need to consolidate their technology in order to keep up with the changing landscape of the workforce. As new technologies are developed and adopted by businesses, they must be able to offer their members access to these new tools.

By consolidating their technology, organizations can make it easier for their members to stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in their field. In addition, it can help these organizations save money by reducing the number of vendor contracts they need to manage.

In this article, we’ll examine the why, what, and how of consolidating your organization’s technology.

Why would a professional organization consolidate its technology?

When it comes to technology, there are a lot of options out there, so it can be difficult to know which technologies to consolidate. Thankfully, there’s a great solution: all-in-one platforms!

All-in-one platforms can be a great option for consolidating multiple technologies:

• They offer a variety of features and benefits that are perfect for professional organizations.
• They’re typically more affordable than purchasing multiple technologies separately
• They also offer more flexibility and scalability than most stand-alone technologies
• Not only this–all-in-one platforms can also provide a more seamless user experience for members and staff. After all, you have all of your programs in one place!

When considering which technologies to consolidate, all-in-one platforms should definitely be on the list.

What are the benefits of technology consolidation for professional organizations?

As any professional knows, staying up to date with the latest technology can be a full-time job. New software platforms are constantly being introduced, and it can be difficult for organizations to keep up. Thankfully, the answer lies in technology consolidation, which is becoming a growing trend among professional organizations–and for good reason!

1. Increasing efficiency

First, when you consolidate your organization’s technology, your staff can narrow its focus. They only have to learn one system–not multiple!

Zylo (2025) explains that reducing the number of platforms can simplify workflows, especially in areas like onboarding, reporting, and interdepartmental communication. With fewer systems to navigate, staff spend less time switching between tools and more time focused on meaningful work.

2. Saving costs

Next, it can save money by eliminating the need to purchase multiple licenses or subscriptions. Think of it like consolidating debt; rather than paying multiple sources (each with its own interest rate and fees!), you’re focusing on a single payee. This makes it simple and easy!

Yeung (2023) also explains that, by cutting down on vendors, an organization can often negotiate better prices and volume discounts with those that remain. This offers the potential to generate significant savings on costs like software fees, maintenance costs, and support services.

3. Creating and improving your resource hub

Finally, technology consolidation can make it easier for members to stay informed and engaged by providing them with a single source of information. On the organizational side, with fewer vendors to manage, staff can free up valuable time and direct resources towards long-term strategic projects, new technologies, and better opportunities for innovation (Yeung, 2023).

While challenges associated with technology consolidation can arise (and we’ll look at those next!), the benefits typically outweigh the drawbacks, making it an attractive option for many professional member-based organizations!

What are some common challenges faced when consolidating technology?

1. Duplication of records

One of the most common challenges faced during technology consolidation is managing data. As Duffin (2025) explains, inefficient data practices and outdated systems make it challenging for teams to adequately protect and manage data, opening an organization up to security risks.

When multiple systems are consolidated into one, there is often a lot of duplicate data that needs to be cleaned up. This can be a time-consuming and tedious process, but it is essential for ensuring that the new system is accurate and usable.

Recommended Solutions

When consolidating your systems, look for a vendor with strong data migration expertise and hands-on support. They can help transfer information from your legacy systems to your new platform while reducing the burden on your team. Another option is to partner with a separate company that specializes in data cleanup prior to migrating to your new platform.

Starting with clean data helps ensure your new system is accurate, organized, and free of outdated or duplicate records!

2. System compatibility

Another challenge that is often encountered is compatibility. Different systems often use different standards, which can make it challenging to combine them into a single platform. This can lead to frustration from users who are unable to access certain features or data. What’s more, it actually adds up to the cost. Baumann (2024) explains that when systems don’t communicate effectively, staff must resort to manual processes to bridge the gaps. This reliance on manual data entry and redundant workarounds not only consumes time but also drives up labor costs.

Recommended Solutions

To reduce compatibility issues during technology consolidation, it’s important to test the new system carefully before full implementation. Organizations should also prioritize platforms that support standardized application programming interfaces (APIs), as these make it easier for different systems to connect and share data. Before committing to a vendor, ask detailed questions about integration capabilities to confirm that the platform will work well with your existing tools and future needs. 

3. Resistance to change

Finally, another common challenge is simply getting everyone on board with the change. When a beloved system is replaced with a new one, staff and members may feel uncertain or reluctant to adapt to this new way of working. Even when the benefits clearly outweigh the awkwardness of transition, users can hesitate and be slow to adopt if the change itself isn’t managed with care.

Recommended Solutions

One of the best ways to reduce resistance is to be transparent throughout the process. Clearly explain why the change is happening, what the new platform will improve, and what users can expect during the transition. Open communication helps build trust and makes everyone feel more prepared.

It’s also helpful to choose a vendor that provides strong, easy-to-read documentation. Clear guides, instructions, and support materials can make the learning curve feel much more manageable for both staff and members.

And finally, perhaps the most important consideration: look for a platform that is intuitive and easy to navigate. A user-friendly system can reduce frustration, remove unnecessary roadblocks, speed up the transition period, and help people feel more confident as they adjust.

By addressing these challenges head-on, professional organizations can ensure a successful technology consolidation!

How should a professional organization go about consolidating its technologies?

In order to properly consolidate a professional organization’s technologies, an organization should first take the time to understand its requirements:

• What functions need to be performed?
• What data needs to be stored and accessed?

Once these questions have been answered, the organization can begin to evaluate which technologies are best suited for its needs. In some cases, it is possible to use a single piece of software to perform all of the required tasks!

However, in other cases, it may be necessary to use multiple software programs or even a combination of hardware and software. Regardless of the approach that’s taken, the important thing is that the professional organization consolidates its technologies in a way that meets its needs and leads to increased efficiency.

How does a professional organization know when it’s time to move on from its current technology solutions?

There are a few ways to tell when it might be time for your professional organization to move on from its current technology solutions:

• One is if the solutions no longer meet your needs, or if they can’t keep up with your changing requirements.
• Another is if they’re becoming increasingly expensive to support and maintain.
• Finally, if you’re finding that other organizations are using more advanced technologies that give them a competitive edge, it may be time to consider an upgrade.

Of course, these are just general guidelines–ultimately, it’s up to your organization to decide when the time is right for change. So, be sure to sit down with your team to really discuss why it matters to your organization. As Stronghold Data (2024) explains it, effective technology upgrades necessitate meticulously assessing current infrastructure, anticipating future needs, and aligning technological investments with overarching business objectives.

Just remember: if you’re starting to feel like your current solutions are holding you back, it might be worth exploring some new options!

You may also like: 5 Things NOT to Leave Out of Your LMS

Conclusion

Professional organizations are always looking for ways to improve their operations and serve their members better, and technology consolidation–the process of evaluating and merging different technologies into a single streamlined system–is here to help!

Technology consolidation can provide many benefits, including reduced costs, improved efficiency, and enhanced member experience, so keep it in time next time you’re considering new strategies. And, while there are a few challenges that can arise during technology consolidation, with careful navigation, you can lead your organization to success!

References

Baumann, B. (2024, October 3). The consequences of system integration issues. Panorama Consulting Group. https://www.panorama-consulting.com/the-consequences-of-system-integration-issues/

Duffin, S. (2025, September 15). Proper data management drives business success. Dataversity. https://www.dataversity.net/articles/proper-data-management-drives-business-success/

Stronghold Data. (2024, July). 6 crucial factors to consider when upgrading your business technology. Stronghold Data. https://strongholddata.com/upgrading-business-technology/

Yeung, P. (2023, July 20). 5 reasons software consolidation is top of mind. Optimizely. https://www.optimizely.com/insights/blog/5-reasons-to-consolidate-your-tech-stack/

Zylo. (2025, September 2). Why platform consolidation matters: How to simplify your tech stack. Zylo. https://zylo.com/blog/platform-consolidation/

The post Technology Consolidation: Why Should Your Member-Based Organization Consider It? appeared first on Online Learning Solutions | Association Management System | Vocalmeet.

Tool: Social Media (and Related Apps)

Next to your association’s website, social media may be the next most commonly pointed-to source of potential. On social media platforms (like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter), you can reach out to your members directly.

While IT support and ticketing systems will always be the main way to solve problems, people are becoming increasingly more likely to reach out to organizations on social media–especially when it comes to more general questions or concerns. When this happens, be sure to listen; timely and helpful responses are always appreciated.

Social media doesn’t just go one way, however; if your association is wondering about the wants and needs of its members, don’t hesitate–reach out to them! Consider using the poll option if your question is more of the multiple-choice variety.

Hootsuite

Running an association involves a lot of administration and coordination, so simplify things by making use of media management platforms like Hootsuite. Hootsuite lets you queue posts on your social channels ahead of time, meaning you can schedule blocks of content when it’s most convenient for you. Keep your members up to date with regularly released association news and articles; consistent posting helps improve engagement!

Canva

If you find it difficult to design marketing copy, graphic design platforms like Canva could be the perfect tool to help you out. Canva lets you create quality ads, posts, slides, articles, and more–if it’s something that can be formatted, Canva probably has it. Grab your members’ attention with chic, eye-catching posts and boost your overall social media value.

You may also like: Webinar blog: 5 Powerful Growth Strategies to Boost Non-Dues Revenue for Your Association in 2022 and Beyond

Conclusion

While the ever-expanding field of technology may seem daunting, bar associations have more tools and strategies available to them now than ever before. Don’t miss out on all the ways you can increase your support to members, build trust, and boost engagement; instead, look into improving your website, enhancing your research techniques, implementing cloud computing, bolstering your online security, and increasing your social media’s value. With the right tools in your belt, you’ll be able to help your members survive and thrive in the present and beyond!

The post Technology Tips and Tools to Help Bar Associations Build Trust and Support Members – Part 5 appeared first on Online Learning Solutions | Association Management System | Vocalmeet.

Tip: Safety First

You want your association’s data to be accessible, but not too accessible–at least, not to the wrong people! Keep your files secure by looking into your online security. You want your members to know their data is safe in your hands, and that they can trust your association’s cyber savvy.

Educate

First, educate: yourself, your staff, and your members. You can’t spot a problem you don’t know exists, so make sure to offer resources on how to spot scams, fraud, phishing, and other heinous tricks.

Teach everyone about password control: users should change their passwords regularly, employ two-factor authentication, consider using secure password managers, and lock their computers when away from the keyboard. Additionally, make sure to use only secure wifi connections; if there’s no lock symbol, it shouldn’t be trusted. By pairing all of this with regular network testing, your users should be able to stay safe–and your data will stay where it belongs!

Assess

You want to keep your association’s various functions safe (and trustworthy!), so look into having online security audits performed on your system. Set up yearly on-site data security assessments and encrypt your information. Use VPNs whenever possible as an additional precaution.

You should also inform your staff of any risks, and set up protocol on what to do should someone make a mistake. It’s better to know there’s a problem and respond than to rugsweep and pretend it never happened!

Protect

One way to increase the security of your online environment and simplify password management for your members is to standardize authentication across all your online solutions. This is made possible using single sign-on (SSO) cloud technology. Single sign-on (SSO) is a user authentication process that allows for access to multiple online applications with one set of credentials.

In addition to greatly enhancing the online experience of your members (they login only once to access multiple services!), SSO reduces password fatigue and facilitates the adoption of stronger password policies. Just make sure that prior to implementation, you consider what SSO protocols are supported by your preferred software solutions and confirm that they can connect.

You may also like: Post-Purchase Service: Why It’s Crucial When Picking an LMS Vendor

Conclusion

When doing anything online, you want to make sure you’re practicing good digital hygiene. Inform your bar association of the dangers associated with the web, audit your tech, and remind members to safeguard their credentials. They say the best defense is a good offense, but the reverse is often also true!

Next time, we’ll be concluding our Vocalmeet/Lexum article series with one of the best support (and engagement!) tools of all: social media.

The post Technology Tips and Tools to Help Bar Associations Build Trust and Support Members – Part 4 appeared first on Online Learning Solutions | Association Management System | Vocalmeet.

Software as a Service (SaaS) integration is the process of integrating your organization’s software applications with each other, as well as with any third-party software applications you use. This process ensures that data can flow freely between all systems and that any changes made in one system are reflected in the others.

Examples of association-specific SaaS applications include association management systems (AMS) and learning management systems (LMS).

Integration can provide many benefits to your association, including increased efficiency, improved data accuracy, decreased administrative work, and higher member satisfaction.

What is SaaS integration?

SaaS integration is the process of connecting two or more software applications in order to share data and information. This can be achieved through several means, including:

• Application programming interfaces (APIs)
• Web services
• Even manual data entry!

The main goal of SaaS integration is to help organizations streamline their processes and workflows by eliminating the need to switch between multiple applications.

In the context of organizations, SaaS integration can be extremely beneficial in terms of simplifying member management. For example, by integrating your AMS with other software that your members use (for instance, an LMS), you can automatically sync data and information between the two systems. This way, your members don’t have to input their information in both systems; everything is taken care of automatically.

SaaS integration can help you save time and money by reducing the need for manual data entry. In addition, it can help improve information accuracy by eliminating errors that can occur during manual data entry. Overall, SaaS integration can provide a number of benefits for associations and their members.

You may also like: 7 Universally Crucial Features for Your New LMS

Types of Integrations Available to Organizations

There are a number of different types of SaaS integrations available to associations, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. We will cover the three most common member-based organization below.

Single Sign-on (SSO)

One popular type of integration is known as single sign-on, or SSO. SSO allows members to log in to multiple software applications with a single set of credentials–usually their username and password for the association’s website. This can be extremely convenient for members, as they don’t have to remember multiple sets of login information.

Single sign-on is also known as one-way integration. One-way integrations are the simplest form of integration, as they only allow data to flow from one application to another.

For example, if you wanted to integrate your AMS with an LMS, a one-way integration would allow data to flow from your AMS into your LMS, but not the other way around.

One-way integrations can be useful in situations where you only need to send certain types of data (for example, member information) from one application to another.

Data Integration

Another type of integration is data integration. Data integration allows different software applications to share data. This can be useful for keeping member information up-to-date in multiple systems and for avoiding the need to enter data into multiple systems manually.

Data integration is also known as two-way integration. Two-way integrations are more complex than one-way integrations, as they allow data to flow in both directions between applications.

For example, if you integrated your AMS with your LMS using a two-way integration, data could flow back and forth from the AMS into the LMS, and vice versa. This could be configured so that when a member finishes a course on your LMS, the completion is reflected in their profile on your AMS. This can save a lot of time and hassle for both you and your members!

Payment Gateway Integration

Another type of integration that can be extremely useful for organizations is known as payment gateway integration. Payment gateway integration allows you to connect your association’s website to a payment gateway, such as PayPal or Stripe. This allows members to make payments for membership dues, event registration fees, continuing education courses, and other items directly on your website.

Payment gateway integration can be extremely convenient for members, as they don’t have to leave your website to make a payment. This can also save your association time and money, as you don’t have to process payments manually.

There are many other types of integration available, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. The best way to determine which type of integration is right for your association is to speak with a SaaS integration expert who can assess your needs and recommend the best solution for your organization.

You may also like: Taking the Fear Out of Updating Your Association’s Technology

Conclusion

Overall, SaaS integration can provide a number of benefits for organizations and their members, including increased efficiency, improved data accuracy, decreased administrative work, and higher member satisfaction. When choosing a SaaS integration solution for your association, it’s important to consider your needs and goals in order to select the best option for your organization; you’ll be glad you did!

The post SaaS Integration and Member-Based Organizations: What You Need to Know appeared first on Online Learning Solutions | Association Management System | Vocalmeet.

1. Academic LMS focus on grades; associations focus on professional development

First, let’s look at the core reason for each LMS. What is the purpose of each?

Academic LMS

Academic LMS are used to accept assignments from students, answer questions, and grade work. They can host syllabi, unit information, due dates, teacher feedback, final marks–anything and everything a child needs to thrive!

Students can start a video course and walk away from the computer–learning is gauged through assignments and exams and conveyed with grades, so an academic LMS has no need to track student progress at a granular level.

Association LMS

Association learning management systems, while still made to educate, focus more on professional development. Associations must track their member’s progress in order to meet the rigorous requirements of offering professional development courses online.

Association LMS includes regular participation checks while completing a course.

To offer continuing education credits online, associations need to ensure that learners are actively engaged in the course content. Checks can come in the form of video hurdles, where members have to correctly answer a question related to the course content to continue watching the video. This is a form of knowledge reinforcement–which also helps with learning retention!

2. Academic LMS are for school communities; association LMS are for members

It stands to reason that one of the main differences between academic and association LMS lies in their target audiences. That being said, let’s delve into this idea for a moment:

Academic LMS

Academic learning management systems are used to help school communities–namely school staff, students, and parents.

Academic LMS allow children to ask for help outside of school hours by posting on forums, while parents can check in to see what their children are learning, thereby taking on a more active role in their development.

Academic systems also allow teachers to collaborate with each other easily and efficiently. They’re great for sharing resources and bridging the divide between technology and reality when it comes to education.

Association LMS

Association learning management systems exist to help their members. While association members can participate in continuing education courses, they are not students in the same way elementary, high school, or university students are.

Association members are professional, and they require a professional environment for their continuing education (CE). Referring to them as students can cast a negative, even infantilizing light because it suggests that these people aren’t capable of handling themselves professionally–something that is obviously NOT true!

Association learning management systems provide resources, forums, and continuing education courses for their members, allowing them to keep their existing skills sharp while also gaining new ones.

3. Academic courses are paid with tuition; association courses are pay-per-course

The next main difference between academic and association learning management systems lies in their finance systems.

Academic LMS

While not all academic LMS require fees, those that do typically come packaged as part of the course. When you pay tuition for your courses (e.g. at university), you are paying upfront to access the relevant material on the school’s LMS. Because the finances are taken care of outside the system, academic LMS doesn’t require eCommerce functionality.

Association LMS

Associations, on the other hand, sell and deliver numerous continuing education courses that members can opt to purchase. These are paid by the course through the association’s LMS; this means that, unlike with school LMS, their system requires eCommerce functionality.

Additionally, associations can offer different pricing options for different member types; for instance, a non-member may have to pay $80, while a member could pay $60. This could be broken down further if the association offers different tiers; perhaps a member pays $60, a retired member pays $55, and a student member pays $30–it’s all up to the association to decide how to market and price their products.

Regardless of the pricing structure, selling continuing education courses is how associations earn non-dues revenue, so when it comes to buying an LMS, eCommerce functionality is crucial!

4. Academic institutions aren’t required to promote their education courses; associations are

Promotion can be an important part of an LMS platform; let’s delve into the needs of each!

Academic LMS

Schools don’t particularly need to market or promote their specific courses; once a student enrolls in a program, they can select their preferred courses and proceed with their education.

While courses do occasionally require a minimum number of students to enroll, this doesn’t affect the school’s revenue. Instead, unpopular courses are simply swapped out for their more desirable counterparts.

Association LMS

On the other hand, associations must promote their continuing education courses in order to generate non-dues revenue. Without constant and effective marketing, opportunities for members to find and purchase relevant courses are missed and the association loses out. Associations make the bulk of their non-dues revenue through education and events. Every course must be valuable, desirable, and known–you can’t take a course that you never knew existed!

Related: 3 Ways to Increase Non-dues Revenue for Your Association’s Online Continuing Education Program

While there are many kinds of learning management systems to choose from, it’s important to pick the one that’s right for your organization. Whether you’re a school or an association, there’s an LMS out there for you–all you have to do is lay out your needs and find the one that fits them all!

The post Academic vs Association LMS: 4 Key Differences appeared first on Online Learning Solutions | Association Management System | Vocalmeet.

In this article, we’ll go over each option, as well as give you some tips to help you choose: custom-built or SaaS?

1. Customization Options

First, we’ll be looking at the main draw of custom LMS compared to SaaS LMS: the customization factor.

Custom-Built Enterprise LMS

The term “custom-built LMS” is often tossed around in association circles as a catch-all for enterprise-level learning management systems. As the name suggests, this type of software solution is custom-tailored to your organization’s unique needs and requirements. In theory, this makes perfect sense. After all, why wouldn’t you want an LMS that fits your association like a glove?

Unfortunately, in practice, things are often not so simple.

A custom-built enterprise-level software solution is a complex beast, and it can be difficult to know upfront what exactly you’ll need, or what features will provide your members with the best learning experience. Scope creep is a problem that can lead to spending money on developing features that your members/users don’t end up using.

If you build an LMS that is complex and feature-heavy, you will limit user efficiency and diminish the benefits of having it custom-made. In order to avoid this problem, it is important to carefully consider your needs and requirements before embarking on the process of custom-building an LMS. An experienced and knowledgeable vendor can help guide you through these decisions, ensuring that you get the most out of your software solution without wasting money on features that won’t be used.

Software as a Service LMS

A SaaS learning management system is a “ready-made” solution that can be quickly implemented and deployed. Modern SaaS learning management systems offer a variety of features, including content management, reporting and analytics, personalized learning experiences, and mobile accessibility. They are also scalable, meaning they can be sized to fit the needs of any association or organization.

The main advantage of a SaaS LMS is its simplicity. Users can be up and running with the software in a matter of weeks, and there is no need for complex customization that costs money and takes time to implement. Associations should focus on configuration over customization when it comes to their LMS technology philosophy.

Configuration is key when working with SaaS LMS. The user interface should be intuitive and easy to use so that users can change security privileges, page layouts, and more without any difficulty. This focus on configuration over customization allows associations to get the most out of their SaaS LMS!

2. Cost and Speed of Implementation

Comparing the cost and speed of implementation of custom and SaaS learning management systems is another way to help you make your decision; sometimes, it all comes down to the bottom line, after all!

Custom-Built Enterprise LMS

Custom-built enterprise software is significantly more expensive than Saas LMS. Many associations learn this the hard way when they invest exorbitant time and resources into building a customized LMS.

Investing in custom-built can be tempting; however, these cost-intensive programs usually require additional setup fees, maintenance costs, and licensing fees–adding up to a hefty price tag! An industry-standard custom-built enterprise LMS starts at 1 million dollars. Yikes!

The speed of implementation is also something of concern when it comes to custom-built enterprise LMS; this option will take months or even years to implement. This makes sense, of course; it must be created from scratch. Rome wasn’t built in a day!

Software as a Service LMS

SaaS LMS is a much more affordable alternative. With a SaaS LMS, you pay a monthly or annual fee to use the software, and there’s usually no need to pay for extra maintenance or support. As your business grows, you can easily scale your subscription up or down to meet your changing needs.

When it comes to implementation speed, SaaS also has custom LMS beat; a SaaS LMS can be up and running in just a few weeks, leaving plenty of time to test, update, and test again! User training plays an important role in implementation; typically, a SaaS vendor will ensure your staff is trained and comfortable using the new LMS before launch. By ensuring your staff is savvy with the new system, you can avoid many potential hiccups down the road.

3. Cybersecurity

Another important consideration when making your choice is cybersecurity. You want to make sure your organization is safe and protected!

Custom-Built Enterprise LMS

It’s crucial for organizations to implement effective cybersecurity measures to protect their data and network from threats like hacking, malware, and unauthorized access. Because of this, some key steps in improving cybersecurity for your custom-built enterprise LMS include using strong passwords, encrypting sensitive data, updating online security with patches regularly, and implementing two-factor authentication whenever possible.

Additionally, it’s important to monitor your network traffic and user behaviour to identify any suspicious or unusual activity; make sure to have an incident response plan in place in case of a breach. By investing time and effort into protecting your LMS, you can help ensure the security and success of your organization!

Software as a Service LMS

With a SaaS LMS, you’re limited to relying on the security measures of the provider. While many providers take steps to secure their platform, it’s important to be proactive and implement additional security measures yourself.

Ask your SaaS vendor what steps will be taken to protect your organization, and decide whether you judge their answer to be adequate. Some of the questions you may want to ask include:

• What type of data encryption do you use?
• How do you protect user data?
• What type of security measures do you have in place to prevent data breaches?

Once you’ve gotten the answers you need, you can decide whether you’re satisfied with the protection they can provide. If yes, great! If not—keep shopping until you are!

You may also like: How to Protect Your Association from Cyber Attacks

So, which option is the best for your organization? The answer to that question depends on a number of factors, including your budget, organization size, and existing infrastructure. If you’re still not sure which option is right for you, or if you have any other questions about enterprise or SaaS learning management systems, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be happy to help you make the decision that’s right for your association!

Once you’ve made your choice, it’s time to purchase and prepare your new LMS. Then–get ready for rollout!

The post SaaS vs Custom LMS: Which is Right for Your Association? appeared first on Online Learning Solutions | Association Management System | Vocalmeet.

Your LMS project can quickly go off the rails if it isn’t adequately planned and executed. According to the Project Management Institute, 30% of projects fail to achieve their original goals, and almost 40% exceed their budget. Neither of these is a category you want your association to fall into!

So, how can you ensure your LMS project is set up for success? With the right project management approach, you can avoid common pitfalls and launch your LMS with minimal disruption.

Without further ado, here are 6 simple steps to help you get started:

1. Establish Your Goals and Objectives

Before you even start looking at LMS software, it’s essential to take a step back and define your goals and objectives. What do you hope to achieve with your new LMS? How will it benefit your association and its members? Answering these questions will help you choose the right software and set realistic expectations.

Make a list of your objectives and turn them into SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals. Once you’ve decided on your objectives, you can map a timeline to reach your targets. Make sure to use an iterative, Agile approach; as your project progresses, you may need to adjust your goals and objectives.

Related: See 5 Things NOT to Leave Out of Your LMS!

2. Choose Your Vendor

Not all LMS vendors are created equal! When evaluating potential providers, it’s important to consider more than just the software itself. You’ll also want to look at the vendor’s reputation, customer service performance history, and implementation process. Make sure you choose a vendor that’s a good fit your organization and has a proven track record you can verify with their existing clients.

As you research different vendors, it’s important to make sure that they specialize in learning management systems for associations. University and corporate learning management systems are not a good fit for associations because they do not include built-in e-commerce functionality and they’re not designed to be compliant with continuing education regulations.

3. Promote Your New LMS Early and Often

When you’re launching your new LMS, make sure to give your members a heads up! Educate them on the benefits of the new learning management system, how easy it will be to use, and how technical support will be readily available. Then, continue promoting your platform even after launch to ensure that your members (and the public) know about it.
There are a few cost-effective marketing and promotion tools that can help your association do more with less.

Jasper AI (Artificial Intelligence Marketing): Jasper is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) writing assistant that can generate an array of different works, including persuasive blog posts, marketing emails, landing pages, and more! If you find yourself having trouble coming up with advertising copy, you may find Jasper a great help. You can find Jasper AI here.

Canva for Nonprofits: Canva is a website that hosts graphic design templates that can be tailored to fit your association’s needs. If you tend to require a plethora of custom graphics, check it out! You can find Canva for Nonprofits here.

4. Test, Test, Test!

You want to make sure everything functions properly on your new system. Run through each course several times, checking as many different variables as possible. You want to find all the bugs you can before you launch. Whatever you can think of, test it! Quality assurance is a vital step in the process, so give it the attention it deserves.

5. Train (and Test—Again)

Your vendor should teach your staff how to use the new system. This will act as an internal soft launch for the platform, where your staff can experiment with the LMS.

This step also doubles as another round of testing, so make sure to listen to any feedback your staff offers during this time; try to incorporate it before going live.

6. Launch! (and Provide Ongoing Support)

After testing the LMS and training your staff, it is time to launch your new LMS officially–but the work doesn’t end here! You (or your vendor) will need to provide ongoing support for your LMS. This may include providing technical support for your members and staff, uploading new courses, and preventing cyberattacks from hackers.

Technology is constantly changing, and your LMS will need to change with it. LMS vendors typically offer a subscription model (software as a service, or “SAAS”) that includes regular updates. Make sure to understand the terms of your agreement so you can budget for LMS support on an ongoing basis.

Conclusion

Launching your new LMS can seem like a daunting task, but by following these 6 simple steps, you’ll be able to avoid common pitfalls and ensure a successful launch. Keep in mind that proper planning and execution are key, so make sure to allocate the necessary time and resources upfront.

With careful preparation and a focus on detail, you’ll be able to confidently launch your new LMS and reap the benefits in no time!

The post Launching Your New LMS: 6 Steps for a Successful Rollout appeared first on Online Learning Solutions | Association Management System | Vocalmeet.

Interactive Courses: Continuing Education’s Major Facelift with Minimal Change

The recent boom of advancements in technology and in online education delivery has made it possible to create and offer engaging and interactive courses to members.

To see these advancements in online education delivery, view our interactive demo page here.

Online continuing education programs for associations are usually incredibly diverse, filled with members with all sorts of educational backgrounds, experience levels, and aptitudes. Because of this, many associations have added programs that prioritize practical skills, prior knowledge, and individual learning abilities with new competency-based online programs.

What is Competency-Based Education?

Competency-based education provides exactly what it suggests: education progress tracked by competencies. This means that, rather than measure member progress by time spent in a course, the competency-based model measures student aptitude.

Benefits of Competency-Based Learning for Associations

• Minimal time is wasted on subjects that have already been mastered or are unnecessary for the learner.
• Learning is more personalized, focused, and purposeful.
• Learners progress at their own pace and are no longer confined to standardized time markers.
• Skill-based learning allows for quicker progress for more advanced learners.
• More non-dues revenue is generated due to higher enrollment rates caused by tailored programs.

When competency-based education is used in online programs, both associations and their members benefit.

• Specified learning allows members to earn certifications or credentials in specific fields.
• Focused learning enables quicker mastery over more current and applicable material.
• Associations earn more non-dues revenue due to their increasingly varied and program-specific catalogs.
• Competencies in most professions are readily defined, which makes for easier course development.
• Competency-specific modules double as refreshment courses and reminders for experienced practitioners.
• Knowledge reinforcement tests are powerful tools for measuring in-house applicant or trainee aptitude levels.

Next Steps for Competency-Based Online Programs

As associations continue to define and build competency maps, competency-based online programs will steadily improve. However, online programs must ensure that they meet the following requirements:

• Learners must be able to absorb and apply their learning.
• Learning objectives must be identifiable and job-specific.
• Learning must be engaging and immersive for modern learners.
• Competency-based programs must accurately measure prior learning and/or skills.
• Courses must be current, relevant, and flexible.

This is where interactive online videos come in.

Interactive Online Video Learning

Despite being the fastest-growing form of continuing education today, interactive online learning is still relatively new, which means that it’s still in the process of discovery. With online videos taking up about 1/3 of all internet activity, it is important to strive for the most effective methods of combining them with online education. Optimal online video learning results are achieved when lessons are engaging, responsive, and–most importantly!– interactive. 

Interactive online training often begins with a demonstration, which transitions into application: the learner is tasked with implementing what they have absorbed into practical scenarios in order to demonstrate that they possess an adequate understanding of the lesson. Not only this–all of the above occurs within the video itself!

Curious to see what an interactive video looks like? Click here.

Benefits of Interactive Online Video Learning

The best way to improve the educational experience of online videos is to turn them from a passive endeavor into an active one. Interactive online learning allows members to:

• Learn by practicing and recollecting actual experiences.
• Apply their learning to real-world scenarios and situations.
• Stay engaged, attentive, and retentive.
• Gauge their comprehension levels on the go.
• Experience multiple delivery methods, including gamified, scenario- and/or story-based videos.
• Apply their prior learning to interactive videos, or else advance through previously completed sections.

Though interactive online video learning for continuing education is still new, the benefits are proven. Over time, online programs have morphed from long, tedious on-demand videos into short, focused, and visually-enhanced modular segments. These micro-lessons are often called nano courses or nano credits.

Nano Courses and Credits

By adding interactive online videos to these nano courses, association members are able to earn credits for learning quicker and for applying practical skills. Furthermore, the amount of time wasted is drastically reduced, and the flexibility of study increases tenfold.

Overall Benefits

• Continuing education typically helps generate more non-dues revenue due to ever-updating fields.
• Realistic and challenging scenarios make learning engaging and memorable.
• The material learned from nano courses is often gained quickly and immediately applicable.
• Nano courses are effective for self-assessment, training, and/or mastery of a topic.
• Nano courses are fast and easy to create, allowing association members to quickly earn credits in newly developed areas.
• Videos are easy to create and update, allowing for the most up-to-date and relevant information.
• Situational-based learning and exercises help to teach how to draft documents, how to answer real-life questions, and how to act in many other scenarios.

As we have outlined, there are many opportunities for associations to expand their library of courses, improve their education programs and increase non-dues revenue.

Adding interactive online training courses and videos can help associations drastically increase their virtual reach. In addition, competency-based learning can add the educational rigor and focus that may be needed in order to advance online programs. Online continuing education is allowing members and potential members to advance their skills in the fields they choose–when they want, where they want, and in the order they want.

The post Increase Non-dues Revenue with Interactive and Competency Based elearning appeared first on Online Learning Solutions | Association Management System | Vocalmeet.

Depending on the association, the information below may vary; however, the following list details a few tricks for helping you catch and maintain consumer interest. Of course, it’s up to you to take the information and put your own unique spin on it. If your association can successfully implement even a few of these tips, you’ll find your audience visiting more often and staying longer each time they do.

Consistent Timeliness

When a potential member first decides to engage with an association, the interest is there, but it has a looming expiry date. Especially in the beginning, a viewer will demand timeliness when it comes to a website’s response. If they request information, provide it to them right away. On social media, if someone reaches out to your association, respond within a reasonable time frame. If they sign up for something, deliver it as soon as possible. If this can’t be done immediately, send the consumer confirmation that lets them know that things are being processed, and when they can expect the next step.

Timeliness can take advantage of pique interest periods and help to put out potential fires such as misinformation, before they get started. There’s no question that being timely requires effort, but it pays off. All audiences, no matter the situation, will appreciate a responsive and prompt response. Timeliness also means that few, if any, barriers exist between the potential member and the requested information. Even the most engaged person will lose interest if they have to jump through too many hoops to get what they want. Consequently, make it simple and make it quick!

Captivating Design

Design is one of the most important elements when it comes to capturing someone’s interest. An eye-catching ad or website can encourage viewers to look deeper and linger longer. While associations shouldn’t be afraid to get creative and try something unique, making sure to work in some tried-and-true methods can also help. Consider, for example, using small movements or animations in your ads, or using Call-to-Action (CTA) buttons. Make the animation large enough that it draws the eye but small enough that it doesn’t annoy the potential consumer.

Effective use of attractive colors and contrasts can also work to bring attention to something specific. Having a CTA contrast against the background colors so that it pops off the page can, for example, convince viewers to focus on the intended message. Yet, even the greatest laid plans and structures may not work for some viewers. A technically perfect ad still needs timing and a bit of luck for it to land, so experiment with a variety of ads to find the best fit. Work in different formats, sizes, and styles until you land on something that hits the way your association desires.

Humanized Interactions

The modern consumer is equipped with the uncanny ability to sidestep and ignore most marketing attempts. They can spot ads with a quick glance and see through veiled promotional materials with ease, but they also have a soft spot for personal connections. Members want to be treated as real people by real people. Associations can accomplish this rather easily by communicating in a natural way with a friendly tone and treating consumers respectfully.

Personalizing communications for consumers can also work wonders. To do this properly–and take it further than just using the person’s given name in an auto-generated email–you must segment your audience into more manageable groups. Once divided, these groups can be sent targeted communications based on their location, interests, career types, or any other demographic. Associations can use retargeting pixels to track the engagement levels on their communications and dedicate their efforts and budgets to only the genuinely interested people, giving every audience only the most personally relevant information.

Kept Promises

This may seem like an obvious point to make, but actually having the content or product you’ve promised, is absolutely integral to the success of your interest-catching endeavors. Tricking people into thinking you offer one thing, only to offer them something completely different after they’ve clicked through is an outdated and entirely ineffective tactic. Not only will your audience realize quickly that they’ve been conned, damaging all trust and potential of working with your association in the future, but this kind of activity is extremely counterproductive for website search results.

Under the current search engine algorithms, associations that try to trick viewers into getting clicks receive harsh penalties that can sink their search results. Instead, delivering good content and following through on promises is what leads to positive search results. So, skip the bait-and-switch and give the people only what promised. Then, continue to do so regularly. If your association can deliver useful and quality content on a continual basis, your search results and your ads will perform better in both the short term and the long term.

Always Listen

In the end, perhaps the best way to keep your association’s audience interested and engaged is to listen to what they tell you. There’s a lot to learn both from the times that you win and those that you lose when it comes to marketing. Ask your members what worked for them. Poll consumers to find out what they want to see from your association. Track the bounce rates from people who clicked once and then left without further engagement. Identify and evaluate every possible touch point and tinker, tinker, tinker with it until it has been perfected. Take the chance to really connect with your members and listen to their input—the results may just surprise you.

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