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Stay updated with the latest news, insights, and trends from our team. Our blog is a space where we share valuable tips, industry updates, and expert advice to help you stay informed and inspired. Whether you're looking to learn something new or keep up with what's happening, you'll find fresh and engaging content right here.

4 Must-Review Trends in Country Club Management Software

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4 must review trends in country club management software

All clubs experience the pressure to modernize – whether that’s to streamline club operations or to improve the overall experience for both members and staff. This has club managers regularly doing value assessments on potential upgrades, weighing the gains (both short and long-term) against the costs.

Over the past few years, technology has become a key area where many clubs are opting to make the investment. Here are four trends that have emerged in country club management software. These trends have managers taking a closer look at their technology.

The Exponential Benefits of Integrating Everything in a Single Platform

In the past, clubs often used a variety of different software solutions for different parts of the operation. Membership management would have its own solution while the golf operation had it’s own software. And the back office operated on a totally separate system.

Today, the trend is to migrate to a comprehensive suite of tools that cover all areas. This allows clubs to operate more efficiently since there is no need to manually enter data from one system to the other. Plus, the staff doesn’t have to learn multiple systems or worry about maintaining multiple systems. Furthermore, when all parts of the club operate on one database, the club benefits from uber connectivity. A simple example is someone signing up for a class in the fitness facility. Once they sign up, the charge is automatically routed to the accounting module. And the transaction instantly appears on the member’s account page on the club website.

Improving the User Experience

The premier software solutions on the market are designed to be intuitive and easy to use, with simple, user-friendly interfaces and straightforward navigation. This makes it easier for staff members to quickly and efficiently access the information they need, and get the most out of the system. Additionally, it improves the member experience, making the web interface and the mobile app easy to understand.

As clubs evaluate comprehensive systems, user experience should factor into the decision-making process.

The Growing Importance of Mobile

There is one device that all your members have that is with them all the time. The mobile phone.

Needless to say, the club app is becoming increasingly important for members. Leading club management software solutions recognize this crucial trend and build in the functionality to allow club members to easily access their accounts, make reservations, and view event schedules. This provides a powerful tool for clubs to build retention by helping members stay informed and engaged with the club.

Data Rules

More than ever, data has taken on a critical role in helping clubs make decisions. Premier club management software solutions realize the importance of having one source of truth to help with everything from day-to-day club operation decisions to direction for long-range planning.

When a club operates on one database, it gives the club that one source of truth.

This is why premier solutions are designed to provide robust reporting and analysis capabilities. It allows clubs to track key metrics such as membership retention and revenue, and make data-driven decisions. All of this can help clubs identify areas for improvement and make more strategic decisions about how to allocate resources and grow the business.

As clubs evaluate the value of a modernization, technology will continue to be at the top of leading clubs’ lists. It may very well be one of the more cost-efficient investments when you consider the impact it can have on both operational efficiency and member satisfaction.

To learn more about what a complete club management software solution can do for your club, request a demo of the Northstar system. It is a comprehensive solution built on one database to deliver one source of truth for your club. Request your demo, today.

Why Tabletop POS looks so Appetizing to Clubs

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Why Tabletop POS looks so appetizing to clubs

Clubs continue to look for that perfect recipe. A rare combination of the potential to improve revenues while boosting efficiency. And all while enhancing the member experience.

It’s for this very reason that more and more clubs are implementing Tabletop POS systems in their restaurants.

The Tantalizing Promise of Tabletop POS

With a Tabletop POS system, members can utilize a tabletop tablet to access the menu, order, and pay. Or, they can scan a QR code that opens up the system on their smartphones. Some clubs offer members both options.

The system is enticing because of the control it gives members when it comes to their dining experience. They can set the pace of the meal, ordering immediately if they’re in a hurry or maybe choosing a more leisurely pace if they’re dining with friends. They can also reorder an item with a click (another drink!) They can combine or split the check in the system. And pay when they are ready to go.

All of this can have a huge impact on the perception of the dining experience at your club. And that’s just the beginning.

Addressing Staff Challenges

The Great Resignation has made it tougher to retain staff – especially for the hospitality sector. An addition like Tabletop POS can help you change the game.

The system frees up servers, allowing them to become more of a meal consultant – sharing specials, answering questions, and more. In fact, servers can spend more of their time with the diners who desire the attention.

This is not the only way that Tabletop POS can make the job more rewarding. Studies have shown that the system can actually increase earnings for servers. It allows them to serve more tables and, as a result, increase the number of tips. And, you can set it up to present automatic tip calculations and recommended tip levels which have been shown to boost the server’s tip amounts.

Improving Sales

Tabletop POS can improve revenue in a couple of ways. First, the system helps improve table turnover in your dining room, allowing you to serve more guests.

Second, the system has the ability to boost average ticket amounts by presenting:

  • Enticing photos of dishes you want to feature
  • Add-on suggestions
  • Engaging messages – like a special, limited-time-only creation from the chef

All of this can help increase sales. In fact, a study showed that, with a Tabletop POS system, the length of stay shortened by 10% while the average sales per check rose by nearly 3%. And that’s just one study. Other results show sales per check rising even higher than that.

Finding Efficiencies

When it comes to uncovering new efficiencies, a Tabletop POS system really delivers. The system improves communication between the front and back of the house since the order is entered through the tablet or smartphone and then instantly delivered to the kitchen display system.

This speed of delivery cuts wait times (and meal times as mentioned above). Plus, since the members are entering the orders themselves, there is better order accuracy.

Additionally, you can update menus instantly. And go green, eliminating paper menus which also saves you on the costs of paper and printing.

Serving up Even more Advantages

There are a variety of additional ways that a Tabletop POS system can enhance the experience in your club’s restaurant.

For those members who have lingering concerns about the pandemic, Tabletop POS can provide a dining option with limited exposure to staff.

For groups, one diner can pick up the check. Or you can have a group order where each individual diner pays on their own.

Once an order is placed, you have the option of presenting the members with a countdown clock to show them when they can expect their meals.

A member can flag a server through the Tabletop POS. Since the server can see all the tables in the system, they can instantly know which party requires immediate attention.

All the data gathered by the system gives you the insight to optimize the menu, develop promotional efforts that will resonate with members, and even identify problem areas to address.

All in all, a Tabletop POS system can improve how you operate, While improving the experience for your members and your staff. That’s the kind of recipe that clubs find irresistibly enticing. It’s also why Tabletop POS continues to grow in popularity among leading clubs.

To learn more about the advantages of Tabletop POS, contact Northstar. We can show you what a premier solution will help you do. Better yet, we can show you how it can integrate with your entire operation by plugging into a complete club management system operating on one database. For a complimentary consultation, call Northstar today.

Maximize Your Club Brand and Communications with Membership Marketing

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Maximize Your Club Brand and Communications with Membership Marketing

Back in the day, getting new members was easy for the club but for the prospective member, not so much. Today, for most clubs’ times have changed and clubs work actively to attract and recruit new members. A prospective member in most markets has many club choices. And looks for a club that will best fit his / her needs. One thing, however, remains the same – the word of mouth of current members; their engagement & enthusiasm level with the club greatly impacts future member recruitment.

Technology has disrupted the way a club communicates with its membership and potential members too. A newsletter or periodic club magazine is still a nice to have but the importance of digital communication has increased tremendously in the past decade. A club that communicates with its members on a regular basis is more likely to have a membership that is engaged both virtually and physically. An engaged member is a happy member and one who talks excitedly about his club and recommends it to his / her friends and family.

The Northstar collection of unique modules provide many ways to reach the membership on several levels – be it via one on one targeted communication with members, segmentation by interests and club activities or app notifications to name a few. Additionally, the system generated notifications of special days like anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, etc. creates a very personal and lasting connection between the club and its members.

The Club Communication Hierarchy – How to Keep Members Engaged & Happy

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The Club Communication Hierarchy – How to Keep Members Engaged & Happy

The best clubs in the world are a warm welcoming place where you are surrounded by people you care about and truly want to be with. In short, “You want to be where everybody knows your name”. In today’s mad always-on-the-go world it is difficult for members to maintain that connection with each other, for new members to easily assimilate and find members with similar interests and for the club staff to maintain the personal connection and rapport with members.

The imperative therefore falls on the club to ensure that a support system is in place that enables and fosters an environment in which the members are connected with each other and to the club. To this end, clubs have to demand that their club software suite not just tick the boxes of accounting, POS, tee times, etc. but really have the tools and functionality that the club staff can use to foster communication on multiple levels with the members and between the members. Additionally, software solutions should not be complacent once they have a couple of methods of communication but be on the forefront, constantly pushing the envelope to make certain that they are keeping up with the rapidly changing technology and modes of communication.

A robust campaign management system that allows clubs to communicate easily with the membership through emails and newsletters is one of the most basic and essential tools. The next step of evolution on the communications hierarchy would be the club website where members can access multiple club calendars so that they can easily find activities and events they are interested in. Members can also indicate on the website areas of interest so that they receive customized newsletters or updates. Websites are also a great way for members to make reservations, access real-time charges, and make online payments. Social networking portals and buddy list management features on the website allow members to form deeper connections and sign up easily for events at the club. In 2018, it should be a given that the club website is responsive so that it can be easily accessed on a laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

Since 2016, the number of users who access the internet on their smartphones is more than those who access it on their desktop. Mobile phones and the best way to utilize them to improve communications and connectivity bring us to the next level of the hierarchy. Mobile Apps are 1.5 times faster than a mobile website and members are likely to check in much more frequently with an app than logging on to the website. Users love personalized content for an immersive experience and mobile apps make it easy to offer tailored communication. One of the most important features of the mobile app is the ability to send instant notifications to an individual or a group of members. Push notifications are received regardless a user opens the app or not and again statistics show that people are more likely to read a push notification than “yet another” newsletter or email from the club.

The above discussion has primarily been centered on communications between the club and members and between members. However, the value your club software suite brings should be over and above this. Technology should be used in service of improving the member experience and ensuring they have personalized, customized service at the club. Mobile Apps with location-based services can alert staff about pre-booked resources like a golf cart so that it is ready when the member arrives at the pro shop.

Staff-centered applications on the phone or tablet are the next level of the communications hierarchy. These apps give the staff key data about each member so that they can be greeted by name or wished if they are celebrating an anniversary or birthday. The staff app has the ability to capture information about guests at the club and send the information to the Membership Director along with the sponsoring member details. Staff can also enter notes specific to a member in the app so the next time 8-year Joe comes in, the staff remembers to congratulate him on his game-winning goal that dad was proudly bragging about 2 days ago. These are the moments that make a club? it makes the member a lifetime cheerleader who recommends the club to their friends as the Place to Be!

The Importance of Club Communications During Crisis – What We Learned from Irma

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The Importance of Club Communications During Crisis – What We Learned from Irma

Like many others, I experienced what is now known as “Irmageddon.” I was fortunate that I live north of Naples and Hurricane Irma downgraded to a Category 2 before her arrival to Venice, FL (my hometown). However, many of my industry friends and clients were impacted both personally and professionally when Irma unleashed her wrath on our beautiful state. It is during these natural disasters that we all realize the importance of communications, whether it’s with our families who live away or with our members. It is also important to focus on the business impact during a natural disaster. Before Hurricane Irma, skies were blue, birds were chirping, and we were going about our normal, daily routines. We woke up to the news, had warm showers, and could blow dry our hair. We went to the club, and members were dining, golfing, and playing tennis. Some members were up north perhaps on Cape Cod drinking a Cape Coddah (said in Boston Accent) and discussing plans on how they will head south soon for the winter. All was good right? Yep, until “Irmageddon” hit.

All the fun came to a screeching halt! Those members who were once sipping cocktails, enjoying life – they turned into Irmageddonians! An Irmageddonian is not always someone who lived through the Hurricane. It can be someone who experienced it from afar, and has been impacted by it. This kind of Irmageddonian can actually be the more panicked out of the two. They have not personally witnessed the damage, their minds are racing. And they immediately think their house is now at the bottom of the ocean (even when they live in Central Florida). You will know when your membership has turned into 90% Irmageddonian when you experience the following:

  1. A million emails from the away members requesting a status on the situation immediately. It does not register that you do not have access to email because you do not have the internet. Let’s face it, even if you had the internet, you have no power to get online. See you understand this, but the Irmageddonian who is in full panic mode, does not.
  2. They expect an immediate explanation why Irma hit their beautiful community, and they want it NOW. They want to know what the club staff is doing about it? It does not matter to an Irmageddonian that you had to chainsaw your way out of your driveway to get to the club and assess the damage. It does not matter that you risked your life to get there as quickly as you could with downed trees, live wires, flooding, etc. The Irmageddonian believes you somehow should have been able to achieve this minutes following a major disaster.
  3. An Irmageddonian will also call even though they can’t get through to the club (because again you have just gone through one of the biggest hurricanes that hit the region in ages) but they will continue to call. There will be panic, and the panic will grow because they hear NOTHING back…only CRICKETS.
  4. The Irmageddonians are now forming a larger group of panicked members. The pitchforks out…oh they are coming…they are heading up the hill and heading straight for you…look out! Oh, the horror, the horror of it all!

Ok. Did I scare you? I was obviously overly dramatic in #4. But, if you find yourself in this situation, there are ways to avoid it in the future.

Here’s what we do to avoid 1-4 the next time if you find you have been going through exactly what I outlined above. I share this with you because not only am I an “Irmageddon” Survivor but I’ve been helping my clubs through it as well.

In my 17 years providing member communication and club management solutions, I’ve held a few hands through a few hurricanes and found the following is the recipe for success:

Top 5 Ways To Communicate With Your Membership During A Hurricane:

  1. Engage your Technology Partner: Before the Hurricane, engage your technology provider (the company who provides you with the ability to email and/or website hosting). You share with them that you will need a “go to” person that you can utilize to get the message out to your membership.
  2. Prepare Communications: Have a draft ready for what you need to communicate (yes you may be writing it by candlelight during the storm but get it done). This communication should be a reassurance to the membership that you and your staff are safe and will be assessing the situation. Set a reasonable expectation on when the membership can expect another status from you.
  3. Club Website – Any communication that goes out via email should be posted on the club website (again rely on your technology provider to do this on your behalf).
  4. Member App – If the club has a member app you can send push notifications via the App as another way to keep members informed. Anyone with access to the app (your technology provider) can do this on your behalf if you do not have internet access.
  5. Social Media – If you use FB, Twitter, Instagram, etc. update with all the same information. Again, utilize a third party for this method. If you do not have these communication vehicles, this is a wonderful opportunity to create a twitter or facebook account, just to keep members informed.

I hope we don’t ever have to experience another “Irmageddon”, but if we do, I hope some of this information helps you to prepare for the next time!

Stay Safe!

Integrating Marina Management Software for Smooth Sailing at your Club

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Integrating Marina Management Software for smooth sailing at your club

If you manage a marina, you know the operational nuances are quite different from the rest of your club. For example, the need to maximize your dock utilization but not at the expense of your member satisfaction.

These nuances of your marina require tools that are specific to the task. Top-notch marina management software helps you navigate the challenges while optimizing your operation.

There is no shortage of vendors hawking software for marinas. It can be easy to get lost as you sort through features and functions. As you consider your options, there are three key questions that should drive your evaluation.

  1. Does it offer smart marina management functionality?
  2. Does it seamlessly integrate with your club management software?
  3. Does it offer excellent support?

Let’s look at each of these and how premier solutions answer the questions.

Smart Marina Management Functionality

Your marina management software should make it effortless to manage your slip assignments. And it should give you a bird’s-eye view of your marina, allowing you to quickly assess your usage. From this view, it should allow you to drill down to see details about each slip assignment. That includes:

  • Permanent assignments
  • Transient assignments
  • Slip reservations including seasonal reservations
  • And more

Your software should also offer a member boat directory that allows you to manage a database of your member boats. This database should allow you to capture details of every craft. This can be important for a couple of reasons. First, it allows clubs to record important details that can impact the businesses. For example, some marinas charge based on the vessel’s length. Second, the directory can provide a way for members to identify fellow members’ boats simply by searching by member name, boat name, boat number, or flag number. This kind of functionality builds connections between members, helping to create a sense of community at your marina.

Seamless Integration

As you evaluate marina management software, it’s easy to focus solely on the marina. But a crucial factor of your evaluation should be how well the software integrates with your other systems. Is there seamless integration with your accounting system so you’re not having to port information from one system to another? Or worse yet, having to manually enter information from one system into another?

Can your member make a slip reservation from the same system that allows them to make a dinner reservation at your restaurant? Solutions that have been built on one database make this possible. For example, the Northstar complete club management software solution utilizes a single database, integrating the marina management module with all other parts of your operation. This helps streamline operations. Plus, it allows you to tap into powerful insights, looking at member behavior across your operation. Spotting trends. And identifying opportunities to improve both the member experience and your profitability.

Always-available Support

Excellent software comes with excellent support. After all, the best functionality can be rendered useless if you can’t get your question answered. Before you commit to any software, inquire about the support. Is there a team of developers supporting the system? Can you call any day and any time? There are constant changes in any healthy marina operation. You need support that is built for the nature of your business.

If you’d like more information, request a demo of the Northstar system. You’ll discover how excellent marina management functionality can seamlessly integrate with a complete club management software solution. A solution built on one database to give you unsurpassed control and vision to ensure your entire operation is running full steam ahead. Request a demo, today. 

The Surprising Club Membership Opportunity of Summer 2022

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The Surprising Club Membership Opportunity of Summer 2022

There are forces that have come together to create a unique situation for clubs. Forces that include world events, economic pressures, and even the Great Resignation. It’s worth considering what’s happening and how it is creating an interesting opportunity for clubs during the summer of 2022. We’ll get to that opportunity in just a bit. But first, let’s look at some of the forces that have helped create this situation.

Everybody is Feeling the Effects of Inflation

Nobody likes paying noticeably more for something that they paid less for recently. Everyone feels this. No matter how much money you may have. That can affect your decisions, especially when it comes to spending on things like a summer trip.

Fuel Costs are Top of Mind

Fuel prices have risen in reaction to the fallout from Russian sanctions due to the war in Ukraine. People are seeing it at the pump. And it’s affecting the cost of air travel. All of this has gotten a lot of play in the media. It’s another factor that may have people reconsidering travel plans this summer.

The Airline Industry has been Experiencing Turbulence

Airlines have had to cancel flights. Travelers have complained about being stranded. Some of this is due to a pilot shortage. Some of it is due to weather events. No matter what the cause, this has created concern for anybody thinking of booking a flight. It just adds more headwinds to the effort of convincing people to take a trip.

The Great Resignation has Hit the Hospitality Industry Particularly Hard

Keeping employees has become more difficult than ever. Especially in the hospitality industry. In fact, one study within the past year reported that “Restaurant and entertainment workers in particular are quitting at high rates — more than double the national average.” This affects vacation locations, impacting the services offered as well as the quality of those services. This is another factor that could affect travel decisions.

What this Means for your Club

With all the challenges, members who normally travel for a summer vacation may be open to an alternative.

It’s easy for your members to think about the club in limited terms. It’s a place to go play a round of golf. Or, it’s the place to have a nice dinner. But do they think of your club as a getaway? You could make sure they do.

They’re already feeling some reluctance to travel because of the factors we’ve discussed. What if you could show members how to plan a series of getaways at the club for the summer? And what if you could show them how this series of getaways is so much better than a trip out of town, considering all the extenuating circumstances of 2022? This is the opportunity clubs have.

Seizing the Opportunity with your Club Membership

Now is the time to introduce this idea to members. Demonstrate how easy it is to plan. And maybe even give them some ideas for their club getaway.

Recommend they plan these getaways during the workweek. Taking a day (or two) off work makes it feel like a treat.

Show them how to easily plan their getaway using the reservation functionality of your club management software system. For example, with the Northstar system, you can schedule a tee time, reserve a court, make dining reservations, schedule a spa visit and more – all from the club app.

Your members could schedule out the day. Imagine a family starting with breakfast in the restaurant Then heading to the pickleball court for a few games. Afterward, they have lunch on the patio. Then mom slips away for a massage at the spa while dad and the kids go to the pool. They have an afternoon of fun and sun and top it off with dinner back at the restaurant.

This is a simple example. You could develop a number of different itineraries that take advantage of the offering at your club. And then you could encourage your members to plan their own series of mini-getaways throughout the summer.

Doing this has benefits for your members and you. It gives your members a way to treat themselves despite the circumstances that have arisen. That makes you more relevant to your members. Plus, it encourages more visits and increases the potential of revenue generation for the club.

There is a lot at play in our world today. While that can bring uncertainty, it also presents you with the opportunity to help fulfill a need among your club membership. Help them see the potential of your club as the getaway destination this summer. Considering all that we are experiencing, there’s never been a better time.

To learn more about giving your members the tools to make their club experience extraordinary, request a demo of the Northstar complete club management software solution.

4 Fiendish Problems that Haunt Every Golf Operation

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4 fiendish problems that haunt every golf operation

A golf outing at your club deserves to be amazing. Unfortunately, hideously antiquated software or Frankensteined systems can cast a dark cloud over the experience.

Here are 4 fiendish problems that can haunt you – along with ways to exorcise the demons that may be keeping your golf operation from becoming everything it can be.

The Tangled Web that is your Tee Sheet

Your tee sheet is at the heart of your golf operation. That means subpar tee sheet functionality can have a huge effect on your day – adding confusion and chaos.

Leading club management software delivers the functionality that keeps those demons at bay. You’ll be able to easily handle the inherent challenges that come with scheduling. But you’ll also be able to do it while applying the club’s rules and rates to each member’s request.

With systems like Northstar’s, you can also take advantage of an intuitive system that assigns tee times in a random or weighted lottery.

Moreover, the tee sheet functionality ties into the club app, so members can reserve a time from their smartphones. They can set up an outing for an individual foursome. Or they can designate a linked group – and be reassured the groups are scheduled for consecutive tee times.

Pro Shop Sales that have Flatlined

It’s scary how easy it is for your pro shop to become a ghost of its once-relevant self. The good news is that today’s best club management systems add the functionality that can give your pro shop a jolt. For example, you’ll have the analytical abilities to understand what your members like, helping you create a more compelling offering.

Additionally, the same system can also help improve how you operate. You’ll have integrated inventory management. And it will always be updated on your retail POS screens, so you know what you have and what you need to reorder. To top it off, you’ll also be able to set up e-commerce, giving your members another way to shop and purchase.

All of this helps improve your pro shop offering – and improve sales. All while streamlining what it takes to manage it.

Tournament Management Hell

Tournaments should be celebrated at your club. But antiquated systems can cause your staff to dread them.

Leading club management software builds in the capabilities that help dispel the dread. These systems will allow you to set up rules and rates for each tournament. You can also define the format and manage the start – whether shotgun or crossover.

Players will be able to register through the club website or the club app. And, of course, it integrates with the tee sheet functionality. The system can even send automated notifications to confirm registrations and deliver updates to both your members and your staff. All of this takes the headache out of managing the event.

Scheduling Nightmares

Without the right systems, the scheduling in your golf operation can turn into an unholy beast.

Modern systems recognize the importance of clubs having the ability to manage a disparate collection of scheduling needs. These solutions build in functionality to help clubs easily manage all of it. For example, the Northstar system allows club members to see teaching pros’ schedules and book a lesson – all from the website or app. The same goes for reserving other resources like a practice bay or a golf simulator. The same system also makes it easy for your staff to schedule recurring events like leagues.

An advanced system can prove invaluable. Your members will love the convenience. And you and your staff will love how easy it is to tame the scheduling beast.

Discover how you can escape the fiendish challenges that can haunt any golf operation. Request a demo of the Northstar system. It’s a comprehensive solution built on one database to help you transform your golf experience. 

The Fascinating Country Club Trends of 2023

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The fascinating country club trends of 2023

The trends of 2023 confirm that country clubs are embracing changes in the way they operate. The once-static industry is now navigating a digital evolution, driven by a shift in how technology is integrated into day-to-day affair.

These technological advancements are improving everything from the way the club engages members to how leadership makes operational decisions. Here is a look at some of the most prevalent trends for clubs.

Deepening Digital Member Engagements

In 2023, country clubs continued to recognize the importance of enhancing member experiences through digital channels. More and more clubs moved to integrate comprehensive member management capabilities. This includes platforms that provide members with easy access to club information. event calendars, reservation systems, and more – all through user-friendly interfaces.

Key to these digital capabilities is the club mobile app to provide instant access to everything from club information to tee-time bookings to social calendars. The club app also allows real-time notifications. All of which has enhanced the convenience and engagement, fostering stronger connections between members and the club. Northstar continues to advance the possibilities for this category of functionality, frequently evolving the capabilities and the interfaces.

Advancing Data-driven Decision-making

The continued adoption of advanced data analytics tools in 2023 is revolutionizing how country clubs make decisions. Clubs now have the capability to collect and analyze data on member preferences, usage patterns, and financial performance. This data-driven approach helps in optimizing membership offerings, refining marketing strategies, and identifying areas for facility improvement. The insights gained through analytics empower decision-makers to make informed choices, ultimately contributing to the club’s long-term success and sustainability.

Better Serving the Needs of Team Members

Over the past few years, hiring and retaining quality team members has become a bigger challenge. While the tight labor market loosened a bit in 2023, challenges still persist.

Clubs are increasingly looking for new ways to keep the team engaged and feeling appreciated. This has led leading clubs to initiate everything from surveying team members to uncover insights to launching an employee mobile app.

The mobile app can play a pivotal role in fostering a sense of community among staff members. This is why Northstar made the employee mobile app a development priority in 2023.

Features such as internal communication channels, recognition programs, and training resources can enhance employee engagement and satisfaction. By providing a platform for continuous learning and professional development, country clubs can demonstrate their commitment to the growth and well-being of their workforce. This helps in increasing employee loyalty and reducing turnover.

In addition, the mobile app can serve as a centralized tool for employee management. It offers functionalities such as scheduling, shift swapping, and performance tracking. This not only simplifies administrative tasks for management but also empowers employees with greater control over their work schedules, contributing to a more flexible and accommodating workplace.

The Rise of AI

The interest in artificial intelligence (AI) exploded this year. For clubs, AI offers the promise of streamlining operations, enhancing service delivery, and creating a more tailored and enjoyable environment for members. Northstar has started to take steps to incorporate AI to help clubs. For example, the acquisition of Happometer brings AI capabilities to help identify nuanced feedback from members as well as employees.

In member services, there is the potential to develop AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants to handle routine inquiries, reservations, and event bookings, creating the possibility of freeing up staff to focus on more personalized interactions.

These intelligent systems can quickly adapt to members’ preferences – learning their habits and inclinations. And then offering a more tailored and seamless experience. For instance, an AI-driven reservation system could learn a member’s preferred tee time or dining preferences, ensuring a more customized and enjoyable visit.

Personalizing Member Communication

2023 saw country clubs lean into sophisticated customer relationship management (CRM) software to tailor marketing strategies to individual member preferences. By analyzing data on member behavior and engagement, clubs can create personalized promotions, offers, and communication campaigns. This level of customization not only strengthens the bond between the club and its members but also attracts prospective members by showcasing the unique and tailored benefits that each club offers. Northstar continued to evolve this capability within its complete club management solution, recognizing that personalized marketing strategies contribute to increased member satisfaction and loyalty.

As the country club industry continues to evolve, the integration of these diverse trends reflects a commitment to innovation, member satisfaction, and operational efficiency. It’s clear that they will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of country clubs, ensuring the clubs remain vibrant, relevant, and appealing to both existing and potential members.

For more information on taking advantage of the ever-evolving technology innovations for your club, request a demo of the Northstar system, today.

A Look Back at the Major 2022 Country Club Trends

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A look back at the major 2022 country club trends

2022 brought with it historic inflation and the threat of recession. And while the economic factors created a challenge this year, most reports show that the country club industry continued to grow — although more modestly.

Clubs have been more measured in their approach to evolving their offerings, identifying the improvements that could deliver the most bang for the buck. Technology, once again, proved to be an area where clubs could realize the most value. Additionally, clubs looked at expanding areas that have proven to be popular with members and adding new amenities with an eye to future growth. Here is a look at the 2022 trends and those strategic moves that clubs made this year

Technology Leads the Way

Throughout 2022, clubs recognized the need to upgrade technology to improve operations and enhance the member experience.

They added innovative offerings like Northstar’s Tableside POS. The system equips servers with mini-tablets that allow them to enter members’ orders right at the table. And have them instantaneously appear on the Kitchen Display Screen. This advancement helps boost order accuracy, improve meal delivery by 4 to 6 minutes. And allows wait staff to spend more time with the members to make the experience exceptional. Other technology that clubs prioritized included:

  • Member app – improving member engagement by allowing them to interact with the club on the one device that is always with them.
  • Golf operations software – giving the golf operation a full suite of tools to manage everything from tee times to the pro shop inventory
  • Business intelligence – delivering the ability to mine all the club’s data to uncover the insights that help clubs take the experience to the next level

Reimagining the Restaurant and Bar

The F&B offering is at the core of the experience for many clubs. So it is crucial for them to continually evolve it to meet the preferences that shift as a result of events like the pandemic or an ongoing trend such as the health and wellness movement.

The pandemic brought with it the necessity to create more outdoor dining and bar areas. Members responded positively to the change and expressed a desire for it to grow. As a result, clubs continued to expand outdoor dining and bar areas this year.

Members also enjoyed the offerings that came with these venues. Clubs increased the selection of ‘fast casual’ menu items. And speaking of the menu, the popularity of the health and wellness movement had clubs adding more health-conscious items to the menu in 2022.

Golf Tees up New Offerings

Golf is the other mainstay of many clubs’ experience. This year we saw continued growth beyond the course. Clubs added facilities like new practice bays. But they also took a cue from concepts like Top Golf that make the sport more accessible to a broader group. This took the form of amenities like golf simulators.

Family Comes First

Clubs continued to create offerings that appeal to the group that represents the greatest growth opportunity — couples in their 40s with kids.

As a result, we saw clubs create family-friendly offerings. Game rooms were added. And pools shifted to aquatic centers, introducing things like splash pads for the kids and offerings like Northstar’s Grab n Go that accommodate poolside dining.

Clubs expanded their racquet sports as well, building courts for pickleball and padel. In addition, they retooled programs, developing classes and activities that catered to kids and families.

Health & Wellness Gets Emphasized

The desire for expanded health and wellness facilities continued to increase this last year. Clubs added equipment, classes, and services. Some even undertook capital improvement projects to build larger fitness facilities. Those included workout areas and spa amenities like massage, sauna, salt, and steam rooms. As mentioned before, the F&B operations have supported the efforts by bringing healthier options to the menus as well.

While there was some trepidation entering 2022, clubs continued to thrive. New member recruitment may be down from the numbers seen during the heart of the pandemic years, but they are still healthy. As a result, clubs are investing in the technology and amenities that will help keep their clubs relevant to members and enticing to prospects.

To take a deeper dive into the technology that progressive clubs have deployed this year, request a demo of the Northstar system. It’s a complete club management software solution that continues to bring the innovations that leading clubs use to help elevate the member experience. Request your demo, today.