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In this newsletter:
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CU Village developed the podcast archive page for the Michigan Credit Union League. We can also help you record and host your podcasts! Take a look by clicking on the image above!
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Social Networking: Creating Your Profile
The Internet is becoming more decentralized as the “read only” model morphs into a “read/write” model. This means that you can connect with more people as you not only read what they’ve written but comment on it as well. As you visit and use the various sites, you’ll want to complete your profile, so people will know who you are. After all, part of the benefit of using the social networking sites is to learn who else is using them—so you’ll know who you can get information and ideas from.
On CU Campus you can create a profile and share your thoughts with colleagues in the credit union industry. For some of us, though, creating a profile is not an enjoyable task. We need to write about ourselves, and when faced with a blank screen we often forget the traits and experiences that make us the unique individuals and creative employees.
Why Have a Profile
When you’re networking, whether in person or online, the key is to connect with people. Your profile serves as your introduction and your initial side of a conversation. Because not everyone in the credit union industry knows you, your profile gives them a chance to learn about you before they discuss serious topics.
Information to Include
Creating your profile doesn’t have to be difficult. Think of the “elevator introduction” that we were all advised to create. You know the one: you meet the CEO in the elevator and in those brief moments, you’re able to succinctly state who you are and what you do. Use that as your brief description.
Your entire profile doesn't have to be long or complex, but it should include your basic information including interests, likes, dislikes, skills, and links to your Web site (if you have one). You’ll also want to include a photo that shows you in a professional light.
Keep in mind that everything you post is a reflection of your league or association. In your description of likes and dislikes, you can certainly have some fun and keep things light. Still, the information that you post should generally be professional and business oriented.
Click here to log in to CU Campus and update your profile.
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Why Your Web Site Vendor Needs a Project Manager—and Why You Need One Too
Your league wants to have its Web site completely redesigned and developed. Sounds simple enough, right? Just get a new design, copy and paste the content and graphics, and you’re done. Not so fast!
Who is making the decisions about this project? Who needs to be involved? Who is responsible for seeing that the work is completed correctly and on time?
If you answered, “I’m not sure” to the first question, and “the vendor” to the second question, think again.
Certainly any Web site developer worth its cost will assign a project manager to make sure that deadlines are met on their end. But who will ensure that deadlines are met on your end?
That’s where your project manager comes in. Your project manager will organize and manage resources so that the project is completed within defined scope, quality, time and cost constraints. This includes obtaining input, sharing information, getting approval, and sharing that approval with your vendor. Your vendor’s project manager will be also be organizing and managing resources to ensure that the project is completed within the defined scope and time. Together the two project managers can help ensure the successful and timely completion of your Web site.
If you select us as your Web site developer, we will assign an experienced project manager to help ensure that project milestones are met and key personnel are kept informed of your site’s progress. Importantly, we’ll also guide you during the entire development process to make sure the goals and objectives for your new site clearly defined and are met when it launches. In addition to the project management services included with complete Web development projects, we also have separate and more comprehensive strategic Web site planning and consulting services to help you create a Web site plan that will take your organization to the next level.
What’s Involved?
Project management includes the following steps:
- Develop a project plan – This includes defining project goals and objectives, specifying tasks or how goals will be achieved, defining the resources that are needed, and associating budgets and timelines for completion.
- Implement the project plan – This is the phase in which the work is done. You want to institute some controls to ensure the project is being managed according to plan. For example, you’ll set project milestones. As the client, your vendor will ask you to approve and sign off on the milestones as they are completed. This provides both you and your vendor with documentation that the product is moving forward according to the timeline.
Who to Select
Your project manager need not be the key decision maker at your league. However, this person should have “the ear” of the decision maker, so that information, questions, and approvals can be conveyed in a timely manner.
Your project manager should be an organized individual who can help your team stay on track. This person will need to obtain information from your team and relay it to the vendor. He or she must be able to clearly communicate all questions and answers—along with any decisions that have been made. This person will know who is responsible for which task—and will see to it that the task is completed.
Who in your organization has these traits? Who will be the best project manager when your Web site needs to be redesigned and redeveloped? Plan now and you’ll be more satisfied with the results later.
For information about our products and services, contact your CU Village.com business consultant.
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December 2007