Communication Medium

The “Communication Medium” feature in the Case management module of Retention CRM helps track how member-based organizations interact with their contacts. It categorizes the communication channels used, such as in-person meetings, phone calls, emails, and more. This information is crucial for Associations, Chambers of Commerce, and Nonprofits for several reasons:

• Improved Communication Strategy: By understanding preferred communication methods, you can tailor your outreach efforts for better engagement.
• Enhanced Case Management: Tracking interactions helps build a comprehensive case history, allowing for more informed decisions and efficient case management.
• Reporting and Analysis: Communication Medium data can be used to generate reports on communication trends, identify preferred channels for different member segments, and measure the effectiveness of your outreach efforts.

How to Use “Communication Medium” Feature in Association Management

Here’s a breakdown of the provided ‘Communication Medium’ fields in the context of a Nursing Association with some example Communication mediums membership organizations tend to use.

Label	Value	Description	Order	Default	Enabled?
In Person	1	Meetings, conferences, or events held in person.			Yes
Phone	2	Phone calls with members.		Default	Yes
Email	3	Email communication with members.			Yes
Fax	4	Fax communication (if still used by your association).			Yes (Consider disabling if not used)
Letter Mail	5	Traditional postal mail communication.			Yes

 

Add a New Communication Medium

While the provided options cover most interaction methods, your nursing association might have specific needs. Here’s how to add a new custom medium:

1. Click Add Communication Medium.
2. Fill in the following fields:
   • Label (e.g., “Online Forum”, “Webinar”)
   • Description (A brief explanation of the channel)
3. Click Save.

For example, you could add “Online Forum” as a medium to track interactions on your association’s online community platform.

More Use Cases for Nonprofits, Associations and Chambers of Commerce

Association – Tracking Mentor Program Interactions (Online & Offline)

• Communication Medium Label: Mentor Program Interaction
• Description: This medium is used to track interactions between mentors and mentees in the association’s mentorship program, both online and offline.

Example

The association offers a mentorship program connecting experienced professionals with mentees seeking guidance. They use Retention CRM to manage the program and track interactions. They create a custom Communication Medium called “Mentor Program Interaction” with two sub-options: “Online Meeting” and “In-Person Meeting”. When a mentor meets with a mentee online (e.g., video call), the association logs it as an “Online Meeting” Communication. Similarly, face-to-face meetings are recorded as “In-Person Meeting” Communications. This allows the association to track engagement levels, identify mentorship needs, and measure the program’s impact.

Chamber of Commerce – Following Up on Business Consulting Sessions

• Communication Medium Label: Business Consultation
• Description: This medium is used to track consultations provided by the chamber’s business advisors to member companies.

Example

The chamber offers business consulting services to its members. They use Retention CRM to manage client relationships and track the effectiveness of their services. They create a custom Communication Medium called “Business Consultation” and capture details like the specific service provided, areas discussed, and next steps. This allows the chamber to monitor advisor activity, identify common business challenges faced by members, and tailor their services accordingly.

Non-Profit – Recording Volunteer Interactions with Beneficiaries

• Communication Medium Label: Volunteer Interaction
• Description: This medium is used to track interactions between volunteers and beneficiaries served by the non-profit organization.

Example

The non-profit relies on volunteers to deliver various services to their beneficiaries. They use Retention CRM to manage volunteer activities and track their impact. They create a custom Communication Medium called “Volunteer Interaction” with options to specify the type of service provided (e.g., mentoring, food distribution, companionship) and any relevant details about the interaction. This allows the non-profit to recognize volunteer efforts, monitor the quality of service delivery, and identify areas where additional support might be needed.