blogging for globalink

Suggestions for the membership application process

1. Improve the presentation of the new applicants page by:
sorting them chronologically

2. Improve the presentation of the newly accepted members page by mentioning the country they are from (as when they are applicants)

3. Create a listserv where the new applicants would be introduced with a short bio, on a once a week basis

4. Make the CV mandatory in the application form.

5. Simplify the application form by getting rid of the never used parts.

6. Make sure the applicants provide a picture and always have a short profile.

7. Have an easy system to remind them to send a picture

8. Avoid having any significant backlog -like now- by processing applications as quickly as possible.

9. Have one (or several) managers to handle the applications on a day to day basis and with a personal touch: it is something to fill a form and another to receive a personal email from a real person asking for more precisions :)

10. The application process is not only about filling forms it is a key and strategic step in building the globalink community that is at the core of the value of Globalink. It should be quick, efficient, personalized and valorized as news: a new member is news but it is not treated as such which is too bad (and our loss).

Voila.

Ph

PS: I have been looking at a bundle of applications during the last 3 weeks so I think I have a good feel about this process :)

directory / human resources follow up

For the directory I think there is a need for two distinct directories: one for the individuals (the one that exists now) and one for the organizations that does not exist yet. I had the same distinction for the directory I had created for the RWJF: individuals and organizations and agencies. That's useful when you look for an organization.
Of course what would also be useful is to have each member identify the organization/agency they work for, so we can make the link...

I do think it is strategically important for Globalink as the key tc community on line to improve the directory's services.

In terms of privacy, the use of the directory should remain within the membership (as a key "privilege") but provided the members have agreed to the info being made public we should publicize regularly "old" and new members...

This should be done systematically for the new members (as an introduction) which means a place where the new members would be listed and introduced and on a regular bais for "old" members. This could be done automatically at random as you do for the pictures and/or via a sort of spotlight for x member because he/she is in the news for such or such reason...

Are there any such changes/upgrades planned for the directory?

How to maximize "our" human resources

I just suggested that there were a presentation (automatic) of a new member each time there is one, and also an automatic-randomized (?) presentation of one member on the home page... as a sign of the importance of the members.
I would suggest the opening of a job I am candidate for :)
membership editor ie in charge of updating the info about existing members, often no picture, no background, etc.. and introducing each new member (by making sure all the adequate info is provided).

Along the individual members I think it would be very useful to  create maintain a directory of the orgnizations/agencies, with the ir leadership and a few key links for contacts: that would be sort of a who is who in tobacco control. In fact a recycling of my past project for the tobacco control directory...