At our recent Member Forum, we shared key updates, conducted a Member Survey, and addressed members’ questions and suggestions. For those unable to attend, we would like to share some key highlights and member-driven discussions.

 

    1. Membership Numbers and Retention: It was confirmed that WBA currently has 380 members. Cancellations remain high but seem to have slowed. Exit interviews are conducted with departing members, and common reasons include lack of time and going back to full time work. To improve feedback quality, plans are in place to implement an anonymous survey option, aiming to capture more honest responses about why members leave. A question was posed by a member as to whether new members are asked what they seek from their membership upon joining received clarification in that all members are offered a new member meeting at which their business goals are discussed.
    2. Growth and Marketing Strategy: Efforts are underway to enhance member acquisition and retention through a structured marketing approach. Plans include social media campaigns and utilising a recently acquired nonprofit Google Ads budget to promote membership. Future strategies aim to run targeted campaigns three to four times annually, marking a shift from previous informal practices.
    3. Committee Updates: Subcommittees shared ongoing initiatives, such as the Branding & Recognition Committee’s plans for a brand update and a series of brand recognition campaigns. The Networking & Collaboration Committee is organising an event planning session to lock in major event dates for the upcoming year and are working on an innovative Wanneroo Business Expo.
    4. Workshop Process and Compensation: In response to a member’s question on how workshops are chosen, members can propose workshops, with options for both free and compensated sessions. Compensation is offered for more extensive workshops (two to three hours), while shorter presentations provide members with an opportunity to share expertise with the community.
    5. Database and Segmentation: WBA acknowledged that its CRM lacks useful segmentation by member demographics and business size. Ongoing work on a technology upgrade seeks to resolve this, allowing more personalised engagement, such as updating your own profile in the online Member Forum. The ease of event booking and scheduling events has also been prioritised.
    6. Value-Add Initiatives: Members suggested additional perks and events, such as family days, access to motivational or exclusive resources, and easy-access member to member offers. WBA noted that these ideas align with ongoing discussions around enhancing member benefits
    7. Engagement in Events: Members expressed a desire for more flexible event timing, citing challenges with work and family schedules. Suggestions included family-friendly networking and varied event times, including early morning, to increase accessibility. Collaboration with other associations was popular with members.

Overall, the forum demonstrated WBA’s commitment to evolving based on member feedback and in line with the Strategic Plan. Initiatives aim to better support retention, growth, and engagement through more responsive and transparent approaches.

For those who would like to delve deeper into the information gathered at the Member Forum, please view our Member Survey responses HERE.

Answers to all member questions posed at the forum, can be found HERE.

A recording of the Member Forum can be found HERE

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