Change is Hard: Hello, My Name Is Jen and I’m an Altru Community Addict

It might sound hyperbolic to say that we need to be able to change or we’ll die. Changing to keep up with industry practices, patrons’ needs, or simply changing from outdated software to Altru Museum Management Software can all be critical to success. We have to be adaptable and innovative to respond to the rapidly changing landscape of our community.

So why then, do so many organizations fail at change?

Successful change efforts appeal not simply to the technology change, but to the people who are impacted by that change. Change that appeals not simply to the logistical changes, but to the emotional aspects are what really matter in change efforts, including implementing and getting your team engaged in using Altru.

Last month, I was researching fitness classes and  diets I could try to keep that age old New Year’s Resolution to lose 10 pounds. What I found was that people who are successful at changing their lifestyle and losing weight have a support group and resources to help them through the process change of becoming more healthy.

And it made me think- Altru offers our own form of support group with our Community.  If you've worked with me during an implementation or even just chatted with me about Altru in general, you’ll know that I often direct Altru users to the community for everything- how to questions, best practices, and just bouncing ideas about a new promotion or Membership program you’re thinking about offering in the future.  I may be a little biased because I work for Team Altru, but I can tell you that as a change agent, I think the Community is a great tool and resource for organizations making a change to Altru, much in the same way support groups are important for a successful healthier lifestyle change. The Community provides support for Altru users who want to use Altru for a long, lasting sustainable change.



One reason I find the Altru Community to be such a helpful tool is that it is rooted in action. Other Altru users are sharing what they are doing and how they do it. Often times, changes to our programs and procedures never get out of the brainstorming stage because we over think it. I know I am guilty of this; I want to gather as much data as possible before making a decision (confession: I lived without a TV for 8 months because it took that long to research all my options and buy the perfect TV). You may have heard the phrase before- analysis paralysis. In our live streaming culture, this happens pretty frequently. We are inundated with information and it can stop us in our tracks to making decisions. If this is something you struggle with, the Altru Community is great way to get yourself inspired and back into gear.