Technology advances at a rapid pace. That can be advantageous for country clubs, giving them the potential to access new functionality that further increases their operational efficiency, member engagement, and more. At the same time, it can be a bit of a curse, taking time and resources to evaluate new offerings.
Club management software companies understand the importance of a dedicated effort to continuously evolve the software. However, leading providers understand the strategic value of reaching beyond their own development. For example, although industry-leading Northstar has a dedicated team of developers working every day on the system, the company also engages in strategic acquisition of other software providers.
Recent acquisitions by Northstar include Miclub, Happometer, My Sailing Club, and TopYacht. The story of these acquisitions helps illustrate how this software-evolution strategy can be particularly advantageous for country club software solutions customers.
Speed to market
One of the most significant advantages of acquiring other companies is the speed at which new features and functionalities can be integrated into the existing offering. By acquiring companies that already excel in specific areas, like TopYacht in sailing event management or My Sailing Club and its innovative Sailor smartphone app, Northstar can quickly extend these offerings to their customers.
Gaining new capabilities
With the acquisitions of specialized providers, a company can rapidly integrate new features and functionalities into its software. A good example is Happometer. Northstar’s acquisition of the company gave them access to Happometer’s innovative capabilities for gathering feedback from club members, staff, and more – including Happometer’s proprietary artificial intelligence that helps determine sentiment from your respondents’ answers. With these capabilities, Northstar is able to further enrich an already robust country club software solution.
Access to expertise
Each acquired company brings with it a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and industry-specific insights. This expertise is often embedded within the company’s workforce and leadership. Instead of trying to build a team from scratch or train existing employees, Northstar taps into the acquired company’s talent pool. For example, when Northstar acquired MiClub they gained access to specialists who have invaluable knowledge of the Australian golf club market. Additionally, the TopYacht acquisition gave them access to a team of experts who understand the unique needs and challenges of sailing clubs. This knowledge is invaluable in tailoring the software to meet the specific requirements of these clubs.
Enhanced innovation
When companies merge, it can create an environment of innovation within the organization. Knowledge sharing between Northstar and the acquired companies’ teams can result in insights and advancements that lead to the creation of groundbreaking features and solutions.
Better serving customers
Acquiring another software company creates the opportunity to bring new functionality and innovations to that company’s customer base. With each acquisition, Northstar can bring a broader range of capabilities, systems, services, analytics, and more to the acquired company’s customers. This immediately gives the acquired company’s customers access to expanded services consolidated in one software suite and backed by a proven leader in the club management software world.
Additionally, acquired companies often bring with them experienced staff who are knowledgeable about the industry and its nuances. This can lead to improved customer support and service, as clients can expect to work with professionals who understand their specific challenges and can provide tailored assistance.
What often goes unspoken is the stability and reliability that an acquisition strategy signals to customers and prospects. The fact that a company is actively acquiring other firms in the same industry shows a commitment to that market. That can help customers feel confident about investing in a future with a firm like Northstar.
Clubs know they must keep a finger on the pulse of technological advancements to provide superior service and remain competitive. When a club management software solutions company pursues an acquisition strategy, it signals that the company understands the need. And can deliver with increased speed to market new capabilities, improved access to specialized expertise, and an enhanced ability to bring new innovations to clubs.
By strategically acquiring companies that excel in specific areas, a provider like Northstar ensures that its country club software solutions remains best-in-class and continues to meet the evolving needs of its customers.
For more information on Northstar’s acquisition of Miclub, Happometer, My Sailing Club, and TopYacht, visit the Northstar newsroom. To learn more about the advantages of a complete club management software solution, request a demo.
