Stakeholder Research

We help you to understand the perceptions and expectations of your association's stakeholders.

We can guide you through every step of the process, from designing robust research instruments such as surveys and focus groups, to analysing the data and distilling actionable insights. Whether you're embarking on a new research initiative or seeking to enhance your existing stakeholder engagement strategies, we possess the expertise and support you need.

With our help, you can unearth valuable feedback and perspectives that will aid in shaping a more informed and responsive association strategy, fostering stronger relations with your stakeholders and propelling your association towards enduring success.

Creating the Evidence for Informed Decision Making: Leading Associations through Stakeholder Research

Understanding your stakeholders is paramount for any association aiming for growth and relevance in a constantly evolving landscape. Stakeholder research, an essential facet of our service suite, provides associations with the tools and insights to foster stronger relationships, design better strategies, and ultimately, make informed decisions that resonate with their community.

Stakeholder research goes beyond merely collecting data. It's about delving deep into the minds of those who matter most to your association—your members, partners, and even critics—to uncover their needs, perceptions, and expectations. By tapping into these insights, associations can craft strategies that are not only aligned with their mission but are also responsive to the evolving needs of their stakeholders.

We specialise in taking this vast concept of stakeholder research and translating it into actionable strategies and tools that associations can implement immediately. Whether you're looking to gauge member satisfaction, understand the changing dynamics of your sector, or identify potential areas for growth, our stakeholder research service is designed to offer clarity and direction.

Here's how we can help you:

Stakeholder Surveys

The purpose of stakeholder survey is to conduct a comprehensive survey that will provide your association with valuable insights on the perspectives of various market segments on what they deem crucial for your association, their assessment of your effectiveness in these areas, and other invaluable insights that can guide your decision-making. The output of this project will be a PowerPoint document that highlights the key findings and recommendations. The report will be written in a clear and concise manner and will be tailored to meet the needs of your association. The report will also be accompanied by a presentation of the findings, which can be delivered in-person or virtually, depending on your preference.

Focus Groups & Interviews

The goal of focus groups is to delve deep into the specific issues, attitudes, and expectations your association's stakeholders hold. Unlike a survey, focus groups offer qualitative data, enabling us to explore underlying motivations, preferences, and opinions. These sessions will produce actionable insights that your association can use for decision-making and strategy improvements. The output of this project will be a PowerPoint document that highlights the key findings and recommendations. The report will be written in a clear and concise manner and will be tailored to meet the needs of your association. The report will also be accompanied by a presentation of the findings, which can be delivered in-person or virtually, depending on your preference.

Expert Opinion Papers

We have a bespoke service where we apply our skills and expertise to develop practical, evidence-based solutions to complex problems. The output is dependent on the outcome you are trying to achieve. When you contact us about your problem, we will determine your output by asking: What problem are you trying to solve and what kind of output is required to deliver the outcome? It could be as simple as a one-page expert opinion or as complex as a evidence-based whitepaper with accompanying presentations to the Board.

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“Engineers Without Borders Australia engaged Belinda to undertake an important and sensitive review of our membership model. Belinda’s deep experience and understanding of membership organisations helped us navigate the complexity that comes with this kind of review. Her approach engaged us, helping to socialise the emerging solutions early and we now have tangible next steps to carry on with. Thanks so much for your help, Belinda!”

Eleanor Loudon, CEO, Engineers Without Borders Australia

“Belinda worked with the membership services team at Philanthropy Australia to help us formulate a clear and strategic action plan to deliver our membership renewal campaign for 2020. Her key insights and strategy helped us achieve a nearly 90% retention rate, which was a huge success for us, especially in light of the COVID crisis which occurred before our campaign ended and significantly affected many of our members. It was a pleasure to work with you Belinda, thank you!”

Anna Marinovich, Membership Services – Vic & Tas, Philanthropy Australia

“Belinda is a driven and high achieving membership association specialist. Her enthusiasm and dedication to the sector is infectious. Strongly networked and a collector of the latest research and evidence, Belinda is a wealth of knowledge. Her role in the turn-around of AuSAE is to be highly commended and I look forward to her serving on the AuSAE Board as she continues to contribute to the for-purpose sector.”

Kirsty Kelly, CEO, Planning Institute of Australia

“Belinda has helped our industry association grapple with contemporary membership issues. She has worked through a range of complex issues to in the end help us identify the simple, practical steps we can take to bring vitality to our membership offering. Her enthusiasm and experience are paving the way for strong buy in by our industry.”

Dan Galligan, CEO, Queensland Canegrowers

”Working with the Executive Leadership Team, Belinda assisted us to navigate some innovative thinking and unpacking of what membership is about in the 21st century. Challenging the "way it has always been done" and allowing us head space to think and re-energise our approach, was worth all the challenges to meet "vie a screen" and work together. Our work is not completed yet, but Belinda’s dialogue with us was a boost to our thinking that we needed. Thank you Belinda.”

Debra Cerasa, CEO, Jobs Australia

“Belinda assisted our Council to reassess the value proposition offered by membership of our association, and to look more closely at the segmentation we had been using to identify enhanced opportunities for member engagement. She did this most effectively and helped Council to better define issues requiring our attention. Whilst challenging them, she moved them constructively into planning mode, and therefore helped to reshape our strategic position. Belinda is a great facilitator and a thought leader!”

Gary Pearson, CEO, Australian Dental Association Victoria

“I have known Belinda for a number of years in the association sector and have seen her present at various events. More recently I have been working with Belinda on membership strategy for our organisation diving deep into our data and context. Belinda’s deep knowledge of the sector and various providers allows her to understand our issues in the context of the wider changes taking place in our sector. Belinda provides strategic advice and support with an eye on the future, and both national and international trends. This has enabled us to make decisions and to gain advantage in relation to our future membership models including community building approaches. Belinda is easy to work with, thoughtful and enthusiastic about the changes ahead. I know that working with Belinda we will not be left behind!”

Peter Saffin, CEO, Mathematical Association of Victoria

“Our organisation has been working recently with Belinda and SMS to review our membership model, develop our member value framework and develop a plan to transition to a modern community-based membership model. Belinda has engaged strategically and purposely with our Board, Leadership Team, and operational staff to develop a strategy to evolve and transform our services, all whilst providing industry insights and learnings along the way. You get much more than what you pay for when engaging with Belinda and SMS. Yes, they actually deliver an output and outcome as part of their consultancy however they also connect with you a range of like-minded services and suppliers that will contribute to your success.”

Jason de Bakker, CEO, Family Day Care Queensland

“Engineers Without Borders Australia engaged Belinda to undertake an important and sensitive review of our membership model. Belinda’s deep experience and understanding of membership organisations helped us navigate the complexity that comes with this kind of review. Her approach engaged us, helping to socialise the emerging solutions early and we now have tangible next steps to carry on with. Thanks so much for your help, Belinda!”

Eleanor Loudon, CEO, Engineers Without Borders Australia

“Belinda worked with the membership services team at Philanthropy Australia to help us formulate a clear and strategic action plan to deliver our membership renewal campaign for 2020. Her key insights and strategy helped us achieve a nearly 90% retention rate, which was a huge success for us, especially in light of the COVID crisis which occurred before our campaign ended and significantly affected many of our members. It was a pleasure to work with you Belinda, thank you!”

Anna Marinovich, Membership Services – Vic & Tas, Philanthropy Australia

“Belinda is a driven and high achieving membership association specialist. Her enthusiasm and dedication to the sector is infectious. Strongly networked and a collector of the latest research and evidence, Belinda is a wealth of knowledge. Her role in the turn-around of AuSAE is to be highly commended and I look forward to her serving on the AuSAE Board as she continues to contribute to the for-purpose sector.”

Kirsty Kelly, CEO, Planning Institute of Australia

“Belinda has helped our industry association grapple with contemporary membership issues. She has worked through a range of complex issues to in the end help us identify the simple, practical steps we can take to bring vitality to our membership offering. Her enthusiasm and experience are paving the way for strong buy in by our industry.”

Dan Galligan, CEO, Queensland Canegrowers

”Working with the Executive Leadership Team, Belinda assisted us to navigate some innovative thinking and unpacking of what membership is about in the 21st century. Challenging the "way it has always been done" and allowing us head space to think and re-energise our approach, was worth all the challenges to meet "vie a screen" and work together. Our work is not completed yet, but Belinda’s dialogue with us was a boost to our thinking that we needed. Thank you Belinda.”

Debra Cerasa, CEO, Jobs Australia

“Belinda assisted our Council to reassess the value proposition offered by membership of our association, and to look more closely at the segmentation we had been using to identify enhanced opportunities for member engagement. She did this most effectively and helped Council to better define issues requiring our attention. Whilst challenging them, she moved them constructively into planning mode, and therefore helped to reshape our strategic position. Belinda is a great facilitator and a thought leader!”

Gary Pearson, CEO, Australian Dental Association Victoria

“I have known Belinda for a number of years in the association sector and have seen her present at various events. More recently I have been working with Belinda on membership strategy for our organisation diving deep into our data and context. Belinda’s deep knowledge of the sector and various providers allows her to understand our issues in the context of the wider changes taking place in our sector. Belinda provides strategic advice and support with an eye on the future, and both national and international trends. This has enabled us to make decisions and to gain advantage in relation to our future membership models including community building approaches. Belinda is easy to work with, thoughtful and enthusiastic about the changes ahead. I know that working with Belinda we will not be left behind!”

Peter Saffin, CEO, Mathematical Association of Victoria

“Our organisation has been working recently with Belinda and SMS to review our membership model, develop our member value framework and develop a plan to transition to a modern community-based membership model. Belinda has engaged strategically and purposely with our Board, Leadership Team, and operational staff to develop a strategy to evolve and transform our services, all whilst providing industry insights and learnings along the way. You get much more than what you pay for when engaging with Belinda and SMS. Yes, they actually deliver an output and outcome as part of their consultancy however they also connect with you a range of like-minded services and suppliers that will contribute to your success.”

Jason de Bakker, CEO, Family Day Care Queensland

“Engineers Without Borders Australia engaged Belinda to undertake an important and sensitive review of our membership model. Belinda’s deep experience and understanding of membership organisations helped us navigate the complexity that comes with this kind of review. Her approach engaged us, helping to socialise the emerging solutions early and we now have tangible next steps to carry on with. Thanks so much for your help, Belinda!”

Eleanor Loudon, CEO, Engineers Without Borders Australia

“Belinda worked with the membership services team at Philanthropy Australia to help us formulate a clear and strategic action plan to deliver our membership renewal campaign for 2020. Her key insights and strategy helped us achieve a nearly 90% retention rate, which was a huge success for us, especially in light of the COVID crisis which occurred before our campaign ended and significantly affected many of our members. It was a pleasure to work with you Belinda, thank you!”

Anna Marinovich, Membership Services – Vic & Tas, Philanthropy Australia

“Belinda is a driven and high achieving membership association specialist. Her enthusiasm and dedication to the sector is infectious. Strongly networked and a collector of the latest research and evidence, Belinda is a wealth of knowledge. Her role in the turn-around of AuSAE is to be highly commended and I look forward to her serving on the AuSAE Board as she continues to contribute to the for-purpose sector.”

Kirsty Kelly, CEO, Planning Institute of Australia

“Belinda has helped our industry association grapple with contemporary membership issues. She has worked through a range of complex issues to in the end help us identify the simple, practical steps we can take to bring vitality to our membership offering. Her enthusiasm and experience are paving the way for strong buy in by our industry.”

Dan Galligan, CEO, Queensland Canegrowers

”Working with the Executive Leadership Team, Belinda assisted us to navigate some innovative thinking and unpacking of what membership is about in the 21st century. Challenging the "way it has always been done" and allowing us head space to think and re-energise our approach, was worth all the challenges to meet "vie a screen" and work together. Our work is not completed yet, but Belinda’s dialogue with us was a boost to our thinking that we needed. Thank you Belinda.”

Debra Cerasa, CEO, Jobs Australia

“Belinda assisted our Council to reassess the value proposition offered by membership of our association, and to look more closely at the segmentation we had been using to identify enhanced opportunities for member engagement. She did this most effectively and helped Council to better define issues requiring our attention. Whilst challenging them, she moved them constructively into planning mode, and therefore helped to reshape our strategic position. Belinda is a great facilitator and a thought leader!”

Gary Pearson, CEO, Australian Dental Association Victoria

“I have known Belinda for a number of years in the association sector and have seen her present at various events. More recently I have been working with Belinda on membership strategy for our organisation diving deep into our data and context. Belinda’s deep knowledge of the sector and various providers allows her to understand our issues in the context of the wider changes taking place in our sector. Belinda provides strategic advice and support with an eye on the future, and both national and international trends. This has enabled us to make decisions and to gain advantage in relation to our future membership models including community building approaches. Belinda is easy to work with, thoughtful and enthusiastic about the changes ahead. I know that working with Belinda we will not be left behind!”

Peter Saffin, CEO, Mathematical Association of Victoria

“Our organisation has been working recently with Belinda and SMS to review our membership model, develop our member value framework and develop a plan to transition to a modern community-based membership model. Belinda has engaged strategically and purposely with our Board, Leadership Team, and operational staff to develop a strategy to evolve and transform our services, all whilst providing industry insights and learnings along the way. You get much more than what you pay for when engaging with Belinda and SMS. Yes, they actually deliver an output and outcome as part of their consultancy however they also connect with you a range of like-minded services and suppliers that will contribute to your success.”

Jason de Bakker, CEO, Family Day Care Queensland

Contact Us For More Information

We've love to speak further about how we can help you. Reach out via this form, letting us know a little more about what you are looking for, and we'll be in touch to set up a meeting. You can also email [email protected] anytime.