Do you ever watch an episode of Shark Tank and wonder how the heck someone who seems just like a regular person came up with some random idea for a product, and then was able to figure out how to do all the things that are necessary to get the thing designed, to navigate patents, to find manufacturers, etc? I definitely do! If that person was lucky, they know someone like this week’s guest. Brian Fried is a serial inventor who has brought many of his inventions to the mass retail market. “As seen on TV”? Brian’s been there. Home Shopping Channels? Yep, been there, too. Catalogs and online websites? You betcha.
But that’s not today’s story. Today’s conversation is about the work that Brian has been doing to take local inventor groups and turn them into a national model. I want you to notice how attuned he has been to 2 things: 1) understanding exactly what his members need from the Club; and 2) leveraging strategic partnerships to create win-win situations. These two things can make a huge difference in whether your member experience will attract members quickly, get them to engage enthusiastically, and keep them coming back for more.
Connect with Brian:
National Inventor Club
BrianFried.com
InventorSmart.com
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ABOUT YOUR HOST
Yes, there is a “real” Joy in The Joy of Membership.
Founder & CEO Joy Duling has been working with leaders of associations, trade groups and nonprofits since 2005.
She has also walked the same journey, serving for nearly 10 years as the Executive Director of a membership-based nonprofit which she helped launch from scratch and led to annual revenues of more than $1M exclusively from membership contributions.
Joy has been widely recognized as a speaker, an online educator and a trusted advisor, twice winning the “Unsung Hero Award” from the National Association of Women Business Owners' Central Illinois Chapter. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Social Work with Specialization in Policy, Planning and Administration. She has extensive experience in strategic planning, team facilitation, change management, and association operations.
But beyond industry experience and education…
Joy Duling is the calm voice you want to have in the room when you, your team, or your board is overwhelmed by ideas and options.
She's a trusted resource at the other end of an email or phone call who knows the answer, or can find the answer, when it's not clear what to do next in your approach.
She's a planner of systems and driver of progress that helps your organization achieve stretch goals.
She's a gifted facilitator of conversation, collaboration and constructive growth.
And she's approachable and results-oriented, which makes it easy to shake loose of the old and start fresh on the new.