When welcoming a new staff member into your organization, the onboarding process plays a pivotal role in shaping their future at your association. It’s not just about acquainting them with the organization, their colleagues, or the physical workspace; it’s also crucial to empower them with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive. And your Association Management System (AMS) is one of the most powerful tools you have!
Your AMS is the lifeblood of your operations, streamlining processes, managing member data, and facilitating communication. Ensuring that new staff members are well-versed in the system is not just about helping them perform their immediate tasks; it’s about equipping them to contribute meaningfully to the broader goals and strategies of your association.
Let’s dive into the steps that will pave the way for your new staff member’s success and ensure they are using your Association Management System to its maximum potential.
- Start Them Off with a Good Introduction
Schedule time to have a training session that includes real examples of tasks they will be performing in the system. This can be with an in-house expert or with your AMS provider.
- Document and Record Training Sessions
Anytime your AMS provider provides you with a training session, ask for a recording of that session. Keep them someplace where new staff can watch so they can also get the benefits of that training. Just remember to ask for the recording before the session starts so it is properly recorded.
- Take Advantage of Existing Resources
Does your AMS provider offer a Support Center or other help resources? If so, they likely offer articles or videos specifically to help a new employee get started. These introductions can help orient a new staff person to help them feel more comfortable with the system.
- Assign a Mentor or Buddy
Assign an experienced staff member as a mentor or buddy to the newcomer. This mentorship can facilitate a smoother transition by offering guidance, answering questions, and sharing practical insights about using the AMS. A mentor can help the new staff member navigate the way your organization uses the system.
- Hands-On Practice and Simulations
Implement hands-on practice sessions and simulations to reinforce the theoretical knowledge gained during training. Encourage the new staff member to explore the AMS in a controlled environment, enabling them to experiment with different features without the fear of making mistakes in the live system.
- Regular Check-ins and Feedback Sessions
Instead of a single training session where the newcomer is expected to learn everything at once, schedule multiple sessions that are spaced out with at least two weeks between each. This allows the staff who is learning to use the system in real-world scenarios and then have built-in time to ask any questions that come up while using the system.
A well-structured onboarding process is instrumental in setting the stage for a new staff member’s success with your AMS. By combining comprehensive training, mentorship, and ongoing support, associations can ensure that their team members are proficient in using the AMS to contribute effectively to the association’s goals. Investing time and resources in the onboarding process not only benefits the individual staff member but enhances the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the association.
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