Online Community Project Update

Transcription

1 Online Community Project Update

2 1) Process so far Online Community Project Update Agenda 2) Introduction to Social Networking 3) Addressing the Need 4) Services to Be Offered 5) Divisional Integration 6) Progress and Timeline 7) Contacts

3 Process So Far Requirements capture began in mid Over a dozen firms initially evaluated.

4 Process So Far Services evaluated against U of T s Ts unique needs, size, diversity Not all vendors could provide all requirements Service Vendor A Vendor B imodules Social networking Mass Events management Online donations Content t management

5 Process So Far Full University RFI and RFP process shortlisted to two firms in fall 06 Currently in contract negotiations with one: imodules Located in Overland Park, KS 40+ staff 300+ clients, incl. Kent State, Oregon, Minnesota, New Mexico State U s

6 Intro to Social Networking Social Network: Any structure made of nodes (individuals) which are connected to one another through various social relationships Small World Experiment, Stanley Milgram Strength of Weak Ties, Mark Granovetter 6 Degrees of Separation (or Kevin Bacon)

7 Intro to Social Networking Two Types: Open and Closed Open/Public: Anyone can join Facebook Linkedin MySpace Friendster Closed and Branded: Restricts access Branded for a specific organization Based on trusted University brand Integrated with University database

8 Closed Networks: Ideal in Alumni Context Authenticated, Trusted Social Network with your Brand at the center * Dynamic * Branded * Authenticated * Secure * Integrated * Scalable Public Social Networks Traditional Alumni Solutions No Authentication Lack Privacy Lack Affinity Advertising Print Focus Static Directories Slow Development Not Scalable Not User Friendly

9 The Key to Success in a Closed Network Is Creating an Atmosphere of Privacy & Security New users required to authenticate their identity Strict opt-in policy needed to keep information private until user opts to share with friends, friends of friends, etc. User must be able to define what information is public, private, or hidden

10 Defining the Need Understanding Today s Younger Alumni Different technology attitudes Place a high value on science and technology Take technological advances of the 90 s for granted They are the now generation; have not learned to be patient Different viewing styles Want electronic communications instead of print Want dynamic content Different definition of Community Fewer or no physical borders People united by shared interests t and shared technology Users want content that is dynamic, personalized, easy-to-access

11 U of T s Ts Alumni Life Cycle Applicant Student Recent Mature Senior (0-20yrs) (Professional/Family) (Retired) 15% 50% 35%

12 Meeting the Need By facilitating online connections University to Alumni Alumni to University Alumni to Alumni By updating our content delivery methods Static applications will no longer attract our alumni Increased demand for electronic communications Must be dynamic, individualized, rewarding Services need to be real-time to match user expectations

13 Components to be Offered in a U of T Solution Social & Professional Networking Content Managed Web Pages (CMS) Marketing Online Events Management Online Donations Advanced Reporting

14 Social Networking

15 Content Management System WYSIWYG editor Easily create: Pages Calendars Events Forms News Items Rotating images Schedule updates Manage files and rich content (Flash, movies, etc)

16 Content Management System

17 Content Management System

18 Online Donations Manage and promote multiple, simultaneous campaigns Designations Levels of Giving Matching Gifts Recognition Options Real-time notification of donation Generates instant electronic receipt for donor Extensive reports

19 Online Donations

20 Marketing Target by any field, including user activity E.g. registrants for an event, specific donors Automatic inclusion of dynamic, personalized content Deliver news and events headlines with links to full content University-certified s Extensive reports

21 Marketing

22 Event Management Collect RSVPs, sell tickets and merchandise online Build multi-level level events with multiple associated activities RSVP and purchase confirmation s and invoice i receipts for automatic ti distribution ib ti Generate real-time event attendee, guest and purchase summary report Allow registrants to view RSVP list

23 Event Management

24 Event Management

25 Advanced Reporting

26 Serving U of T s Ts Divisions Software will allow sub-branded sections within broader online community, e.g.: Divisional content-managed alumni website (if required) Divisional groups, or communities-within-communities Divisional online donation page Divisional mass ing Services free to divisions (for foreseeable future) DUA provides hosting, training, technical support, strategic advice; divisions would fully manage the space Over time, obvious impacts on job descriptions, etc. at many levels

27 Sub-branding branding example

28 Sub-branding branding example

29 Rewards A Dual Value For the User For the University it Social & professional networking Find and communicate with fellow alumni Simple, fun, always available Share photos, blogs, thoughts Find jobs, housing, advice, etc. Self-serve subscriptions to newsletters, address updates Offer better service to our alumni Integration with DIS for data collection Promotes our Brand Scalable technology Easy to launch, reasonable setup time/effort, maintained by vendor Content created by users, curated by staff

30 Value to Institution: A Virtuous Circle Better Services = More User Data = Enhanced Marketing Efficacy Engaging Alumni Services Alumni Participation More and Better Alumni Data

31 Project Timeline 1) Addressing Hosting (March 12) 2) Online Donations (March 30) 3) Training g( (April 9, ongoing) g) 4) Visual Presentation (April 30) 5) CMS Conversions (May 30, ongoing) 6) Alumni Community (May 30) 7) Integrated Mass Mailing (September 30) 8) Integrated Events Management (September 30) Hosting Addressed, Executed Visual Presentation Alumni Community Launch CMS Conversion (Intranet) Mass Conversion January February March April May June July August Online Donations Launch Execute Training (Ongoing) CMS Conversion (Internet) September Events Management Conversion

32 Sub-Project Goals for February Sign Contract Approve E-commerce Plan Complete Audits of Current Sites Includes recommendations to keep/discard/update/add/archive Create Initial Wireframe (first step in design) Confirm Hosting Arrangements

33 Consistent feel One site management tool Fully integrated with community, events management, online donations, and campaigns Integrated with Advancement Reference Guide (password protected)

34 How Will We Measure Our Success? More Alumni involvement On & Off-line User Feedback # of Data Updates # of User Registrations Site Traffic

35 Performance: Lots of Room to Improve In an average day in January, DUA sites had approx. 7,300 page views: Magazine: 2130 Alumni Site: 1650 Giving: 1081 DUA Home: 730 Great Past: 550 Alumni Travel: 530 Alumniandfriends.utoronto: 420 Affinity: 200 This was very close to bruinsnation.com, a weblog devoted entirely to news about the UCLA Bruins

36 Comparative Benchmarks Increase in Visitors: Within four months of launch, U Florida s Gator Nation was receiving 12,400 daily page views, on an alumni base of 300, Visits Of Greater Value: Gator Nation had 220,000 personal information updates in the first four months, from 13,500 registered users U Iowa reported 4, online gifts (avg $265 USD) in 2005 (Compare to U of T, with 34 online donations (avg $240 CDN) in January 07)

37 Bruce Rolston Online Community Project Update Contacts Manager, Alumni & Friends Webspace Project Brendan Dellandrea Manager, Website Implementation and Training

38 Questions?