Dear Members,
Wishing you all the very best for the festive season and happiness throughout the coming year. However, before we move into 2020, I'd like to take this opportunity to recap on the achievements and services AMSRO delivered this year, in line with our strategic priorities.
1. To represent a broader, more inclusive AMSRO and a strong industry voice:
- We launched the AMSRO Polling Inquiry which we announced the Tuesday after the Election, to re-establish trust in the polls and the wider industry. Work
on the Inquiry continues with a view to publishing a report in the first quarter of 2020.
- Launched the inaugural Jayne Van Souwe Research Industry Leadership Award, which was awarded to Darren Pennay (Founder of The Social Research Centre) at our special AGM event, attended by over 50 members in November.
- Significantly progressed our Broader Tent strategy (kindly led by Board member Sarah Wrigley) developed in order to reposition the AMSRO brand and organisation to appeal to an expanded membership base including data analytics companies.
- Increased AMSRO industry promotion across the board – speaking out on areas of concern to our members and publicising our purpose through greater press coverage and
contacts, including launching AMSRO’s social media voice via LinkedIn.
2. Explored relevant strategic partnerships to increase member value:
- AMSRO developed new ISO 20252:2019 training tools for industry auditors which delivered almost $50,000 in additional income which is used to fund our other initiatives and limit increases to membership fees.
- Launched a new (ISO 27001) Information and Data Security compliance system with Best Practice Certification, saving members up to 30% on stage 1 of the ISO 27001 audit process and delivering on AMSRO’s new ‘broader tent’
strategy.
- Launched the GiftPay partnership – providing a 3% credit bonus for members and an additional revenue stream for AMSRO. I am pleased to report that over 35% of members have benefited from this group-buying arrangement so far.
- Launched the Alison Earl partnership with a 20% discount member offer.
- Continued to leverage sponsorship and marketing opportunities through the B&T Awards and partners including, the Australian Marketing Institute (where members receive a 35% AMI membership discount).
3. Provided relevant (non-technical) professional development and training for businesses and leaders:
- Launched new product offerings with CIE Legal such as EEO training and Lockdocs. Both offer exclusive and significant member discounts and have been taken up by approx. 20% of members to date.
- Co-produced and launched a suite of privacy training videos for members, in partnership with CIE Legal.
- Delivered members
brand new ISO 20252:2019 training resources and workshops across three states – resources offered as a value-add service. Workshops attracted over 25% of all members.
- Introduced a series of new Workplace webinars - attracting over 50% of the membership base with more to come in 2020!
- Delivered the 2019 Leaders Forum - The Human Side - which provided insight and key learning around the value of soft skills and the importance of investing in people to effectively grow a business. In the process The Human Side set a new record for both attendance and sponsorship income, generating a record profit.
Furthermore,
- We launched the Independent Privacy Code Review - currently in consultation. I encourage members to take a look at the proposed changes ahead of January 17 2020.
- After more than 8 years of lobbying (by many committed industry leaders), we finally succeeded in obtaining access to mobile phone numbers via the IPND. AMSRO plans to escalate its lobbying efforts for broader access to the IPND in 2020.
- We delivered the most well-subscribed Salary Survey Report to date, with 43 participating companies and generating
five years’ worth of industry benchmarking data available nowhere else. Continued support from Confirmit and Dapresy meant that data collection and the reporting dashboard are provided to participating AMSRO members free of charge.
- We also maintained strong membership numbers despite mergers/acquisitions, with 12 new members in the past 6 months alone.
If you require any further details on any of the above services please don't hesitate to contact me at sarah@amsro.com.au
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank our Executive and wider Committee members for their volunteer hours, expertise, hard work, and commitment to industry matters. I would also like to thank our dedicated consultants: Andrew Maher, CIE Legal; Norine Cruse, Cruse Partnership; Rochelle Burbury, Third Ave PR; and our generous sponsors. Together, their support means AMSRO can continue to deliver results across a range of valuable member services relating to legal and
workplace matters, quality, promotion, advocacy and regulatory matters.
AMSRO has much to look forward to in 2020. Keep a lookout for our new young leaders award in partnership with ESOMAR - Research Got Talent, the release of the AMSRO Polling Inquiry report; another not-to-be-missed Leaders Forum in May, an updated Privacy Code (to guide and protect your employees in a heightened regulatory environment), increased advocacy around the IPND, the Skilled Migration Lists, Spam Blocking apps, plus continued work on our broader tent industry initiative, positioning our members and AMSRO as leaders in the research, data and
insights industry.
I would also like to wish you, our valued members a very happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Your continued support is much appreciated, and I look forward to working with you and on your behalf next year.
Until then, stay safe and warm regards,
Sarah