The Membership IQ with Sarah Sladek
Membership strategy. How much do we really know about it? Membership is not a recognized subject of expertise. There are no degrees, defined requirements, career paths, educational tracks, or training programs. Membership organizations employ millions of people and generate billions in revenue, yet the strategies essential to membership engagement and growth have remained largely unknown, overlooked, guessed, or left to chance. Until now. The Membership IQ is a podcast dedicated to helping association executives and membership professionals adapt to change, create cultures of belonging, engage younger generations, and realize growth. Now you can get smart about what's actually causing membership disengagement and decline and learn the strategies key to success. Tune in to hear Sarah Sladek share research-based quick tips and join the global community of listeners dedicated to raising their Membership IQ! New podcasts added twice a month.
Episodes
Welcome back! In this episode, Sarah shares her story of receiving an exclusive invitation to attend the Inaugural White House Business Leaders Summit! She had the opportunity to meet with senior Presidential advisors to discuss current issues businesses - especially small businesses, are facing today. Sarah has observed that after COVID-19, the exclusive invitation has been largely phased out and replaced by digital meetings. Lear...
Join Sarah Sladek on this lively episode of The Membership IQ! Discover the emotional side of member engagement as Sarah shares her story of splurging on fabulous tortoise earrings and the buyer’s remorse that turned into a feel-good moment supporting a community cause. Learn how to elevate your association's marketing by highlighting the greater good your members contribute to. Packed with practical tips and engaging insights...
Welcome back to The Membership IQ Podcast! Get ready for an eye-opening episode where Sarah Sladek dives into the world of membership. Today, things look a bit different—Sarah’s got her shirt and earrings on backwards, all to emphasize a critical point. Introducing her new book, The Member Shift: Why Members Leave and the Strategy to Bring Them Back, Sarah shares why it’s crucial to rethink how we approach membership. Reflecting on...
Join host Sarah Sladek on a journey to unlock membership engagement and understand the profound difference between treating memberships like mere products and recognizing them as emotional commitments. Through candid discussions and expert insights, we explore how membership isn't just a transaction but an opportunity to foster deep connections, a sense of belonging, and true ownership. Discover the power of emotional engageme...
In this episode of Membership IQ, join host Sarah Sladek as she delves into the crucial topic of thriving through recessions within membership organizations. With her wealth of experience in working with associations, Sarah sheds light on the often overlooked 80% principle – a strategy that could make all the difference during economic downturns. She emphasizes the significance of focusing 80% of resources, time, and energy exclusi...
Welcome to "Failure... *Soooo* Delicious!: Embracing Innovation in Associations," the Membership IQ podcast hosted by Sarah Sladek. In this unscripted and authentic show, Sarah explores the power of failure and how it can drive innovation and growth within associations. Join her as she shares personal anecdotes, including a personal conversation with an association CEO, and discusses the benefits of taking risks and stepp...
Join Sarah Sladek, recently recognized as a Woman Who Advances Associations, as she delves deep into the challenges of discrimination, from gender to age, and explores the progress made so far. From outdated bylaws to personal experiences, she uncovers the need for true cultural change within associations and go beyond token recognition. It's time to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect and at every level o...
Join host Sarah Sladek on an insightful journey as she explores the impact of globalization and technology on membership associations on this episode of the Membership IQ podcast. Discover how associations worldwide are facing similar challenges, from engaging younger generations to addressing the workforce crisis. Through compelling anecdotes about her experiences in Holland and the lessons learned from the beloved Stroopwafel, Sa...
Join Sarah Sladek on the Membership IQ podcast, where you'll learn how to improve your membership game. From overcoming fears and obstacles (such as Sarah's first time snorkeling) to achieving success, she shares her expertise and insights to help associations and organizations reach their full potential. Tune in to hear about the Ghosts and Legends exercise, best practices, and inspiring stories of membership triumph.
In this episode, Sarah talks about how membership has evolved over the years and how recognition plays a crucial role in it. She shares her own experience of receiving a pin for her 10th anniversary of membership, which made her think about the lack of outreach by the association towards its members. Tune in to learn more about the importance of recognition and how it can impact membership! #MembershipIQ #Recognition #MembershipEvo...
We are in an era of disruption. Our models, hierarchies, and practices are being called into question because there is a call for change. Our world is becoming more individualized, more diverse. In this week’s episode of the MIQ, I’m sharing best practices for how your organization can embrace change in this fluid environment.
Visit us at sarahsladek.com
In my work as a researcher and consultant, I’ve found that nearly all associations have struggled to attract Gen-Xers. To understand why we need to look at how this generation came of age and what they value most.
In this week’s episode of the MIQ, I’m sharing three ways to start engaging this generation and the important role they play in your organization’s future.
Visit us at sarahsladek.com
How do you approach change? With acceptance - or something quite the opposite?
In this episode of the Membership IQ podcast, Sarah Sladek uses the weather as a metaphor for the many unexpected, uncontrollable changes that occur in our lives. She reminds her audience that resistance to change is not only futile but creating a culture of resistance also creates many problems within the organization. To optimize your associat...
Messaging matters! In this week’s episode of the Membership IQ, Sarah Sladek explains how some associations are giving members and prospective members the wrong impression. Drawing upon her work as a former journalist and member strategist, she shares examples of messaging and marketing tactics that tend to backfire - and which ones work effectively! Sladek reminds her audience of association leaders they are always on stage, repre...
As the expression goes, “hindsight is 2020.” We’ve learned a lot in the past few years about how to pivot, but has it informed what your association is doing to plan ahead? In this week’s episode of the Membership IQ, I share a valuable exercise that has helped countless organization leaders improve their overall vision. You’ll learn how, with a few simple steps, you can be better prepared for what lies ahead and be the go-to resou...
As an association leader, advocating for your organization is one of your top priorities. What many associations don’t realize is that advocacy as we once knew it may not be as effective anymore. Young people today are approaching problems as social entrepreneurs, building a following through grassroots activism, social media, and online platforms. Not all heroes wear capes, and your NextGen members are truly the unsung heroes of y...
Many association leaders don’t realize it, but being mindful of your members’ experiences is the secret to growing your community. This week, I’m sharing five key ways that your association can curate a unique, memorable membership experience that will make your organization stand out in the marketplace, attracting members that will continually reinvest in all you have to offer.
Visit us at sarahsladek.com
As an association leader, member satisfaction is one of your top priorities. Oftentimes, new ideas can clash with established traditions, leaving your membership base at odds with one another. In this week’s episode, I am sharing how you can solve disparities between your more seasoned members and NextGen populations by creating a solid succession plan and looking at membership data trends. The ball is in your court: are you ready ...
Let’s face it - change can be scary! Sometimes, we can’t predict change (hello, pandemic!) and your association needs to be prepared with the right approach. In this week’s episode, I’m discussing how to leverage change, using it as an opportunity to help your organization evolve. You’ll learn how the right mindset and a little bit of strategizing can help your association effectively address change, embrace it, and attract new mem...
As an association leader, you’ve likely discovered that the road to success will have some bumps along the way. Your final destination? Growing your membership community and providing a robust experience for your members! In this week’s episode, I am discussing the three roadblocks that organizations commonly encounter that can take you down a path toward disengagement and membership decline. I am also going to share how you can na...
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