Communication is the foundation for building great teams.

You may have heard that before, but are you making it happen?

If you are not sure if the communication amongst your team is flowing smoothly, then it almost certainly could improve. It needs to.

You know the communication amongst your team is good when your team is comfortable addressing issues as they come up, is solution-focused when there are challenges and individuals are confident with how their role fits in with the bigger picture.

There are a few key aspects to communication that need to happen to build a great team.

1. Be open and honest when there is a problem.

Stop trying to hideaway issues. It only creates a walled-off environment of distrust. If something is going on, your team already has picked up on it. They may not need to know every detail, but it’s better to be open about an issue than to try and pretend everything is okay.

2. Do regular brainstorming.

Encourage individuals to share any idea they have, promote solution-focused thinking and enable your team to build confidence in their strengths.

3. Keep your word, no matter what.

Follow through on any promises you make — no matter how small. If you say you are going to do something, do it.

4. Give feedback regularly and expect the same in return.

Don’t wait for that yearly review to tell someone they have done a good job, or you appreciate them. Do it regularly. Thank people for their efforts. Point out their strengths. And if something has gone wrong, give them that feedback too — don’t wait.

Also, don’t give your team the opportunity to stew over your own decisions. Regularly ask them how you can improve. Get their input. Find out their perspective.

5. Get clarity — never assume anything.

The only way to know your team is all on the same page is to communicate.

People are complicated beings which is what makes creating (and maintaining) a great team complex. But by focusing on building a strong foundation of communication, you can create a team that values openness, honesty and trust. And those three things are at the core of any great team environment.

TidyHQ is a membership platform built from the frustration of being on various committees and seeing how memberships are handled. There are now 12,000 administrators in over 40 countries using TidyHQ.com to run smarter community organisations. 🚀

Communication is Key was originally published in TIDYHQ on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

How to Run Successful Meetings — Part 4/4

Stop having meetings for the sake of meetings. Instead, schedule meetings with a frequency and length of time that makes sense for your team.

And then be accountable for it.

Meetings that are too long or are too often are time wasters. Period.

A multi-hour meeting is only appropriate if you have multiple hours of discussion-worthy information. Regular occurring meetings are only appropriate if they match your team’s momentum, ensuring everyone continues forward with the same velocity.

To create timely meetings that are successful for your team, keep the following key points in mind.

Schedule meetings for a specified block of time.

Then everyone knows how long they are expected to be there.

Create an agenda of what needs to be discussed and send it out before the meeting.

Then everyone will be aware of what topics will be the focus.

Start on time and be accountable to the meeting agenda.

Then everyone else can focus on ideas, solutions and how to achieve your team’s goals.

End the meeting when the meeting is meant to end.

That part is critical and worth mentioning twice.

End the meeting when the meeting is meant to end.

Do not drag things out. Do not keep people longer than intended. Do not waste your team’s time.

If you ran out of time, it is because of one (or more) of the following:

1. The meeting time frame was too short
2. The agenda was too ambitious
3. There was no accountability to the agenda or timeframe

Running successful meetings takes practice. It is a delicate balance of understanding your team’s dynamics, what you are aiming to achieve and how much time is available.

The timelier your meetings become, the more productive they will be. Succeed in that, and there is no limit to what your team can achieve.

TidyHQ is a membership platform built from the frustration of being on various committees and seeing how memberships are handled. There are now 12,000 administrators in over 40 countries using TidyHQ.com to run smarter community organisations. 🚀

Run Timely Meetings was originally published in TIDYHQ on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

How to Run Successful Meetings — Part 3/4

Nothing is worse than a meeting that goes nowhere.

Endless discussions.

Circular talk around an idea with no decision.

Repeat topics from previous meetings.

Stop wasting time. Meetings without action stall your momentum and limit your team from reaching its potential.

It is crucial to run meetings with purpose where every topic discussed results in an actionable item. Go beyond merely reviewing how your team is doing. Run actionable meetings so your team can continue moving forward.

Actionable meetings are what help you achieve your big picture vision.

They give your team direction.

They create a solution-focused environment.

They promote purpose and progress.

Find a way to task each item discussed. Who can do what? How can you make progress on the most minuscule of topics? What do you need to do to break things down, so it is manageable for a team member to achieve? What time frame should be attached to it? Is there someone they should report to once they have completed their task?

Aim to get as many meeting items actioned as possible.

And then ensure all tasks are recorded in the meeting minutes.

Meeting minutes are not just there as a reminder of things discussed. They hold your team accountable to the tasks assigned to them. An actionable meeting is only as productive as how efficiently the meeting minutes can be distributed.

The quicker the meetings minutes are distributed, the faster your team can get things done.

And who doesn’t like the sound of that?

TidyHQ is a membership platform built from the frustration of being on various committees and seeing how memberships are handled. There are now 12,000 administrators in over 40 countries using TidyHQ.com to run smarter community organisations. 🚀

Run Actionable Meetings was originally published in TIDYHQ on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

How to Run Successful Meetings — Part 2/4

A meeting without strategic direction is an ineffective one. By being strategic with your meetings, you will maximise your productivity and achieve more with your team.

The key to a strategic meeting is the Five W’s of Who, What, Where Why and When.

1. Why

The most important question to answer is why you need to run (or attend) a meeting. What do you aim to achieve with a meeting? What is the purpose of taking the time to meet with your team? What will you get out of it? Why should anyone else make the meeting a priority?

Know the why.

2. What

To run a successful meeting, you need to know what the meeting will be about. What topics will be discussed? What questions need to be answered? What tasks need to be assigned?

Think about the style of the meeting. Will this be a brainstorm session with your team? Will the meeting be in a multimedia format where specific equipment is required? Will your team need to bring anything with them or just turn up?

Know the what.

3. Who

A successful meeting carefully selects specific people to be present at the meeting. This ensures the meeting is relevant to those involved and will be effective at achieving the initial “why.”

It is also essential to decide what (if any) roles need to be fulfilled. Who will record meeting minutes? Who will lead the meeting? Are there other roles to be filled?

Know the who.

4. When

Time is of the essence.

When a meeting occurs is as important as how long a meeting will last. Never waste your time (or anyone else’s) with lengthy meetings that go nowhere. Will the meeting be a one-off or a regular occurrence? If the meeting will happen regularly, how often is necessary?

Know the when.

5. Where

Do you need a private room or can you meet at a café? Do you need the team to sit, or could you have a walking meeting outside? Will you need space to show a presentation, video or use other multimedia devices?

Know the where.

A strategic meeting does not require a large, formal plan before your walk through the door. The strategy for your meetings may only take a couple minutes to sort, but by running through these questions, you will maximise the potential of your team, ultimately helping you reach your goals quicker.

TidyHQ is a membership platform built from the frustration of being on various committees and seeing how memberships are handled. There are now 12,000 administrators in over 40 countries using TidyHQ.com to run smarter community organisations. 🚀

Run Strategic Meetings was originally published in TIDYHQ on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Meetings are only as effective as how they are run.

A successful meeting is run with purpose.

Do your meetings have a purpose?

Do you run (or attend) meetings, knowing exactly why you are there? Do have a clear idea of what you aim to get out of the meeting? Do you remember what was discussed and actioned at the last one?

Or are your meetings an obstacle in your calendar you try to rush through so you can carry on with the rest of your day?

Meetings without purpose are a wasted opportunity for your team.

Successful meetings are those that are strategised, actionable and timely. They have intention from the moment they begin and accountability from the minute they end.

Stop having meetings for the sake of meetings. Schedule meetings with a frequency and length of time that makes sense for your team.

Stop inviting the entire team to the meeting. Be more effective by having meetings with only those relevant to the task at hand.

Stop running meetings with a checklist format of things that “should” be talked about. Create an agenda that is purposeful for your team.

Stop meetings that only discuss topics. Generate actionable items (even if they are small tasks) to keep your team moving forward.

Stop sending meeting minutes out shortly before the next meeting. Distribute the meeting minutes quickly, so your team is held accountable to the actioned minutes.

A purposeful meeting is a successful one. It is one that people look forward to attending and is the place of significant growth and momentum for your team. It can be the most effective tool your team has.

Use it.

Meet with Purpose was originally published in TIDYHQ on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Reflect.

Take the time to go back through the last year. What went well? What did not go well? What were the unforeseen obstacles that got in your way? What key pieces of learning can you take from the last year around productivity and goal achieving to use for the year to come?

Visualise.

Look ahead to the end of the year. Within the next twelve months, what do you or your team want to achieve? What accomplishments would make it the best year ever? What important non-negotiable projects need completion? Create a vision board and map out your ultimate year.

Organise.

Break down your vision for the year into goals. Write it down.

Now focus on the next three months. What do you need to achieve in this quarter to ultimately reach your goals for the year? Write it down.

Then look ahead to the next month. What do you need to work towards in the next month to reach your three-month goals? Write it down.

How about the next week? What can you accomplish within the week that aligns with your monthly goals? Write it down.

Review.

It seems simple to go out and do, but the most productive people never write a goals list once and walk away.

Create Pause & Plan days for yourself or utilise a section of your team meetings to review your goals. Reflect on your progress each week, month and quarter and adjust as needed, proactively ensuring you achieve your ultimate vision for the year.

Make 2019 the Best Year Ever was originally published in TIDYHQ on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

However, the process to secure sponsorship continues to be a daunting task. To help make things easier, keep some of the following points in mind:

1. Align your values

Just because a potential sponsor has money, it does not necessarily mean they are the right sponsor for the job. If your organisation, project or event values health and wellbeing, a cigarette company likely is not the best choice of sponsor.

Know your values and then develop a list of potential sponsors that align with those values.

2. Think small and go local

Bigger companies like to sponsor bigger events.

If you are a small organisation or event, do not discount your local community businesses for sponsorship. Their financial backing may not be massive, but it is often easier to get a yes from a local sponsor who knows first-hand what you are achieving within the community.

3. Give so you can receive

Do not get caught asking for sponsorship without a plan on what your sponsor receives in return.

How will financially backing you help their business? How and when will their support be acknowledged? Is there an incentive to give you more? How will their money be used? Will the sponsor receive free entry or membership?

There are many ways to incentivise a sponsorship and the clearer you are on this point, the more success you will have with sponsors.

4. It never hurts to ask

Just because a potential sponsor has not sponsored something before, does not mean they are not interested in sponsoring anyone. Get out there and ask. The worst a sponsor can say is no.

5. Sponsorship is not a one-night stand

Sponsorship is a relationship. It is something that needs to be nurtured from the moment you tell them what you are doing and how they can support you.

Get creative with your ask. Get them excited about what you stand for — your cause, event or organisation. Send them a sample. Talk to them face to face. Connect your purpose to theirs — how can you help each other?

Most of all — do not take their money and disappear.

Keep your sponsors in the loop, make them part of the cause. The more you do, the more they will stay excited about supporting you. And when that happens, you may just end up with a sponsor for life.

TidyHQ is a membership platform built from the frustration of being on various committees and seeing how memberships are handled. There are now 12,000 administrators in over 40 countries using TidyHQ.com to run smarter community organisations. 🚀

Overcoming the Challenges of Finding Sponsorship was originally published in TIDYHQ on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Think about it. The most significant and effective causes for social, environmental and community change are run by people and organisations that treat their charity, volunteer committee, social enterprise, non-profit or organisation like a business.

You are in the business of change.

And with any successful business, you need a marketing strategy that will enable you to reach your target market and be more effective at what you do.

Stop cold-calling people during dinner, asking for donations.

Stop mindlessly handing out pamphlets that cost you good money.

Stop standing on a street corner trying to flag down people for support.

Sure, there might be the odd person you connect with who is willing to support your cause, but generally, you will annoy so many more.

Why?

These methods are outdated. These methods are casting a wide net based on the assumption that EVERYONE wants to be part of your cause. They don’t.

Don’t misunderstand — people love to help and be part of something bigger than themselves, but it needs to be a cause that matters to them. And they need to connect to it in a way that they feel like they get something back. And that something doesn’t need to be extravagant.

Think of Daffodil Day for the Cancer Society.

Think of OXFAM Trailwalker.

Think of TOMS shoes.

Each one of these organisations has found a way to connect with their target market in a way that matters not only to their cause but to the people that support them. Through it they build loyalty. They build their brand. They grow their cause.

And they are way more effective at it than with cold calling or pamphlets.

It’s because they run their cause like a business.

Their cause is their business.

Make your cause your business.

Be Less Like a Charity and More Like a Business was originally published in TIDYHQ on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Seriously.

It’s a challenging concept for many individuals, teams and organisations eager to give back. How can one maximise the potential of their community and create massive impact if they say no?

Saying yes is good.

Saying yes is positive.

Saying yes opens the door to opportunities.

But saying yes too often to too many things can inhibit growth and development. It can stunt your organisation and overwhelm individuals. Saying yes too often risks complete and total burn out. And when that happens, the potential for you to create a positive impact in your intended community is next to nothing.

So say no.

When you decline to take on that next project, that extra shift or go to that event, what you are really saying is yes. You are taking a stand, setting boundaries and establishing more precise values of what is most important to you, your organisation or your team. You are prioritising how you spend your time.

And as we know, time is precious.

Our societal standing, where we live, or our age will never affect the amount of time we have in the day. We all have 24 hours. The only thing that makes us effective at achieving our goals is how we value our time. Every decision we make — whether we say yes or no — is a reflection on our values, goals and whether we can maximise our true potential.

Take the time to really know your values. Figure out what is most important to you as an individual. Rediscover what values your organisation has. Determine what values your team needs to reflect daily. And then say no to everything that does not align to that.

It is in that space of saying no, you will be able to say yes to so much more.

Just Say No was originally published in TIDYHQ on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

We’re pleased to let you know that we will be rolling out some improvements for your public facing memberships pages that will make it easier for your members to both register and renew.

This is our first step towards making a more excellent membership experience both for administrators and especially for your members. Here are some of the improvements you will see with this latest update:

• You will see that Memberships has fallen into line with the Events interface making for a clearer checkout experience for members.

• Each Membership Level has it’s own page, meaning you can now point members and potential members to a specific page for a clearer starting point. This will also make it easier for you to promote.

• We have further cleaned up and improved the various registration steps that your members have to go through in order to confirm details, register and pay you.

• It’s a more mobile friendly experience for your members. We know many of your members register on the phone while trying to do all of the other things in their life. Creating a mobile experience which was extremely straight forward and intuitive was a priority for us.

This is the first stage to ensuring that the memberships experience is an outstanding one for both you, and your members.

Let us know if you have any queries about it 😎

Membership Updates was originally published in TIDYHQ on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.