If your systems operate in silos, then you’re out of sync—and your organization (and sanity) could suffer.
Why Being Out of Sync Is Costing You More Than You Think
All great blogs start with a rhyme, right? Well, this one is real because...
In short: life runs better when it’s in sync.
A friend likes to say “Communication is Key” and if that’s true, then living a synchronized life is absolutely critical. What does that even mean?
Look around you. You likely have your phone in one hand, your laptop in front of you. And your inbox is probably the same on both. That’s synchronization.
But let’s go deeper. Is your CRM or membership system synchronized with your inbox? How about your marketing automation tools? If these systems operate in silos, then you’re out of sync—and your organization (and sanity) could suffer.
Still not convinced?
Imagine this: Your partner emails you to grab milk. Yesterday, they texted you that the cereal is running low. You got the cereal but not the milk. Uh-oh. You're out of sync—and possibly in trouble.
Now imagine this happening at work: A member gets a text about a promo code for your annual conference. They call in excited, but your events staff has no clue what they’re talking about because the SMS platform doesn’t sync with your membership system. They have no clue that any messaging went out! Not good and not synchronized.
Learn how to:
When your systems aren’t in sync:
Members have to remember multiple logins for multiple systems, making it difficult to use all those great member benefits.
Donations in your 3rd party system may post to the wrong contact record, messing up recognition (a great way to lose a donor).
3rd party event platforms don’t write data back, costing you opportunities to upsell, measure engagement, or market properly.
Incoming emails from members and donors are lost in your co-worker's inbox forever.
So, what can you do?
You don’t have to use a single system, but your systems need to talk to each other. And keep the data consistent.
That shiny new platform might look amazing—but does it work with what you already have? Don’t trade integration for flash.
Identify what systems aren't synchronized and fix them. If team members are emailing donors or members, those emails should live in your CRM.
If your synced systems are painful to use, no one will use them. Identify the friction points - and smooth them out.
(Kidding. Sort of.) Seriously, use shared apps or tools to keep household and work to-dos in one place. Your stress levels will thank you.
Bottom line: Synchronization isn’t a luxury - it’s a necessity. In life, in work, in tech. When everything is in sync, communication flows, frustration drops, and results improve.
Now, go grab that cereal and don’t forget the milk.
If your database is full of cobwebs and dusty old records, you might have a real horror show on your hands. Let's keep your system clean year-round.
Poor staff education isn’t just a staffing issue, it’s an organizational risk for associations, unions, and nonprofits.
What each of these pieces of member feedback really mean for your association, union, or nonprofit.