To continue delivering outstanding benefits to our members, we asked you to tell us how our Chapter can help you gain the education and other resources you need to further your career. The survey sought to define membership demographics; gauge satisfaction with programs and services and identify roadblocks to membership; and learn what drives member satisfaction.
Virtually all members surveyed are satisfied with LMA benefits and services. Several non-member respondents cited unappealing programs and benefits, providing helpful comments. Your responses told us what you expect your Chapter to deliver:
How We Roll
LMA membership provides a forum for open conversation about the demanding profession of legal services marketing. We are a social group that values educational and professional opportunities, and staying connected.
When asked to rate overall satisfaction with LMA – Bay Area Chapter programs and services, about 60% of respondents rated networking programs as a valuable aspect of membership – with the social and networking aspects being most important. 90% found the monthly educational programs to be highly to somewhat valuable. Of programs surveyed, the Lead Marketers Roundtable (57%) and Board and committee involvement (56%) also received high ratings as valuable membership benefits. The LMA Technology Conference West, combining educational and social opportunities, scored a whopping 73% approval rating as a very valuable membership benefit. With regard to communication, our weekly newsletter, Splash, received an 89% approval rating. 57% of respondents value our chapter’s LinkedIn and social media groups.
What Members Want to Know
Drilling further into what members expect from education programs, we received the following feedback, again demonstrating a committed, engaged and social group:
- More strategic, high level thought leadership (84%)
- More cross-industry education 49%
- More day-to-day job education (33%)
- More personal and career development skills (35%)
- More social/networking opportunities (28%)
- More webinars (9%)
Rising to Geographic Challenges
With far-flung members ranging from San Francisco to Sacramento and the Silicon and Central Valleys, as a group we are challenged by geography combined with several of the toughest commute corridors in the nation. Not surprisingly, City Group respondents were ambivalent about Chapter benefits, ranking access to local colleagues and networking opportunities highest. When asked about City Group programs, respondents overwhelmingly expressed interest in participating in Sacramento (60%) and Silicon Valley (57%) City Groups, with significantly less interest in the East Bay (20%), probably due to the East Bay’s relative proximity to San Francisco. Whether City Group or SF-centric, about one in four respondents (25%) expressed interest in serving on a committee, arguably one of the most valuable member benefits LMA offers.
Mentoring Program
The survey also took a quick look at the Mentoring Program. Almost one in five respondents (17%) participates in the Mentoring Program. Of those, nearly 70% have met with their mentor/mentee at least once. Echoing a recurring theme, respondents found the initial training, one-on-one relationships, and increased chapter involvement most valuable.
Next Steps
The survey has prompted a flurry of Board and Committee ideas about how we can act on your suggestions to improve the LMA - Bay Area Chapter member experience. Please stay tuned for an in-depth report about what we come up with. And let’s keep the conversation going!
RESPONDENT PROFILE
In April/May 2015, the LMA – Bay Area Chapter canvassed members and prospective members for their input about member benefits and services. Overall we received 55 responses. Seven out of ten respondents are LMA Members – slightly over 17% of our membership responded to the survey. Respondent reported professional synergy - almost four out of five respondents work at a law firm. Of those, nearly 89% work at firms with more than 100 lawyers. Nearly 75% of respondents describe their role as business development or marketing. Overall, most respondents live and work in San Francisco.