Integration stands at the heart of technological evolution within membership organisations as we move into 2024. It's not just about having a variety of digital tools at your disposal; it's about how these tools communicate and work together to create a seamless, cohesive ecosystem in which members are active participants.
That’s all well in theory, but what about in practice? The MemberWise Digital Excellence Report 2023/24 noted that despite their importance, system integration and data management are still among the most prominent challenges in the membership sector. Tackling these challenges is essential for creating a seamless and engaging digital ecosystem where members are not just present, but actively engaged.
Forward-thinking membership bodies have been leveraging integrations to efficiently update content and facilitate member access for some time. For example, a members’ educational achievements flowing into their professional profiles, payments facilitating immediate access, and the next CPD activity prompted upon completion of prior step. The benefits of an integrated tech stack set the stage for organic member engagement and collaboration.
Take the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) for instance, which, through its CIOB Connect app, has illustrated the profound impact of technology in community building. By creating a single, unified platform, CIOB has enabled its members to engage with the community, access learning materials, update professional records, and manage memberships all in one place. This integration provides more than just convenience, it drives engagement by providing a cohesive user experience that resonates with the tech-savvy nature of modern members.
Experiences like those we’re familiar with from social media apps can also be woven through your member-facing digital estate to enable organic member-only engagement. Integrations that facilitate conversation allow content to fuel collaboration. Online community platforms, mobile-first app conversation centres, and external social media integrations are all readily peppered through legacy content experiences. Optimised, these offer a single digital member experience free of friction and featuring intuitive interoperability across browser, app, and email.
Integrating various digital assets brings numerous benefits to membership organisations, including:
By streamlining systems and processes, organisations can reduce operational expenses.
Integration simplifies system management and maintenance, freeing up valuable internal resources.
With more resources available, organisations can focus on improving other areas of the member experience, leading to increased satisfaction and retention.
An integrated technology ecosystem isn't just a trend; it's the new standard for a digitally mature organisation. Integration is key to unlocking the full potential of your organisation's technology investments and crafting a valuable and engaging member experience so your organisation can continue to thrive in the years to come.
Curious to learn more? Download Titus’ guide to 2024 Membership Tech Trends where you’ll find additional commentary from our Chief Product Officer, Mark Eichler, alongside further content to inform your membership engagement strategy, AI adoption strategy and LMS implementation.
Reach out to our Chief Product Officer, Mark Eichler, to talk about how our mobile app services can enhance your member experience and facilitate invaluable member-to-member interactions.