In today’s data-driven world, having knowledge of analytics and data is a must. As an association professional, it’s more important than ever to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to understanding how to leverage the insights that data provides. Having this knowledge not only makes you better in your current role, but it will also help significantly when advancement opportunities arise. The more data and analytics skills you have, the more valuable you are to any organization and the more successful you’ll be in advancing your career.
Become a Rockstar in Your Current Role
Whatever your role is at your association, one thing we know is true – members are ultimately the most important part. Having strong knowledge of analytics can help you better understand what drives membership engagement, retention, and growth. It can also help you identify which programs are resonating with members and which need improvement. With the right tools and analytic insights at your fingertips, you can make data-informed decisions about content creation, marketing strategies, event planning, and more. Analytics allows you to see what’s working and what isn’t so you can get the most out of every program or initiative that your association offers. Having these kinds of insights will make you a rockstar at your association because you’re tying decisions to data and showing measurable results.
Many people have good ideas, but using analytics to test the ideas, improve upon them and prove ROI on their efforts will set you apart!
Get a Seat at Many Tables
When decisions about important topics are being made at your organization, having expertise in data and analytics will give you a seat at the table—and a chance to share your valuable insights with decision makers. It will also give you a seat at other tables – presenting new opportunities for collaboration between departments. By bringing colleagues together across the association, you’ll show leadership just how important analytics is for the growth of the organization, your members, and your employees.
Analytics Skills are the New Norm
In addition to being more successful and valuable in your current role and gaining visibility within your organization, understanding data and analytics can also provide job security when roles change or new positions open. Most organizations nowadays require their newly filled positions have some level of understanding of big data sets or the use of analytics tools. Already having these skills in your back pocket will mean one less barrier when submitting your name for a new position and give you a sharp edge over your competition.
Think Outside the Box
We once asked a room of data analysts (including our own) where they started their careers. Not one of them said with data or analytics. Their path and curiosity led them to their position and yours could too! However, if you’re not interested in a full-time analytics gig, all the tips we provided above will make you shine in whatever role you have or want throughout your career.
- Are you in marketing? You 100% need analytics knowledge when making decisions on where to invest your marketing dollars.
- Membership? You need analytics to warn you about at-risk members, then help identify why they aren’t renewing.
- Events? You need analytics to tell you why registration is down year over year.
- Even community managers can leverage their unstructured data (conversations) to help enhance your member experience (and really wow your boss!)
Analytics is easily one of the most important factors in running a successful organization these days. If you can bring knowledge that helps make an organization more successful, you will quickly become the most valuable employee and race past your colleagues on your way to the top!
