Sterling Raphael

About six months ago Lynda Raphael wrote a blog The New Business Of Social Networking, which offers an analysis on applying the concept of social networking to associations, turning it into more of Professional Networking for Members of Associations. As these months have past by, this topic has only heated up! From news publications such as MSNBC, to conferences surrounding the related technology such as the 2008 Future of Web Apps in Miami, to speeches on the matter by Bill Gates… it is becoming more and more obvious that this new “trend” of people connecting via online networking tools is more of a shift in how we live our lives and do business. That is why our team at NFi Studios is continuing to focus on providing knowledge, insight, solutions, to stay on top of this ever-changing market.

With solutions like MemberFuse and implementations such as ACTE Interactive, we are committed to working with the association industry as we all explore which tools are best implemented and how. The key is to measure the success of implementing any of the professional networking features. Members must have a say in what works for them, and what does not. And the association must be willing to adjust those features and have a technology provider be able to support these changes.

Our team at NFi Studios is also pursuing collaboration with other technology providers. With so many companies running in circles to hopefully catch a piece of the action, I believe those who choose to collaborate with each other that will emerge as true industry leaders.