Worldchefs is an award-winning international professional organisation, with the largest membership of culinary associations around the globe. With a diverse mandate and members in over 110 countries, Worldchefs embarked on our digitalisation journey to streamline operations, enhance member engagement, and innovate new days deliver on their mission.
Setting out to future-proof their association, Worldchefs’ journey involved shifting from paper-based processes to digital platforms, implementing cloud solutions, and adopting various technologies to streamline workflows and improve communication. Worldchefs effectively leveraged podcasts, webinars, online election tools, graphic design software and AI to better engage with stakeholders globally.
By empowering staff and members alike to work in new ways, giving day-to-day tools a digital upgrade, and constantly reflecting and improving their tools, both traditional and digital, Worldchefs has been able to leverage digital technologies to stay ahead of the curve.
When COVID-19 hit in 2020, Worldchefs was able to swiftly adapt to the “new normal” by leaning in on digital platforms. The Sustainability Around the World webcast channel, launched as part of these efforts, became an important mainstay in their programming, reaching tens of thousands of viewers with over 30 episodes focused on sustainable food practices. This move to digital was expanded through online webinars, e-learning courses, and virtual events, which allowed Worldchefs to engage with millions of chefs and stakeholders worldwide, during the pandemic and beyond. The organisation hosts over 30 webinars annually, has enrolled more than 60,000 students in courses on its open source learning platform Worldchefs Academy, and produced over 100 podcast episodes, significantly broadening its global reach and community engagement.
This example provides key insights into how associations can embed digital tools into their daily operations for increased efficiency and member engagement:
• Use Task and Project Management Tools: Implementing robust task and project management tools, like Kantree and Airtable, can streamline processes and improve collaboration. These tools help in setting up efficient process flows and removing manual, repetitive tasks through automation.
• Automation: Automating routine tasks not only saves time but also reduces the risk of human error. This can include everything from automated email responses to complex data processing tasks. Worldchefs uses Kantree to setup simple online forms and automate email reply processes in daily routine tasks.
• Use Data Analysis for Growth: Leveraging data analytics can provide valuable insights into member behavior, event success, and overall organizational performance. This data-driven approach helps in making informed decisions and identifying growth opportunities. Using tools like Google Analytics and SEO tools like SMERush and Yoast allows you to make data-driven decisions.
For more information on digital transformation tools, reach out to Connie Lau, Director of Operations and Projects, Worldchefs, here.
For more information on Worldchefs, visit www.worldchefs.org.
This article is part of the exclusive partnership between ESAE and Boardroom. For more information about ESAE, visit www.esae.eu.
• Digitizing Paperwork: Avoiding paperwork and making processes digital can significantly enhance efficiency. Tools like DocuSign for electronic signatures and cloud storage solutions like Egnyte and Google Drive can help in this transition.
• Use Conference Technology: Virtual and hybrid conference technologies have become essential, especially post-pandemic. These platforms enable associations to reach a wider audience, reduce costs associated with physical events, and provide interactive and engaging experiences for members. Explore tools: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Hopin are popular choices for hosting virtual and hybrid events, and ElectionBuddy is a smart solution for online elections.
• Social Media: Utilising social media platforms effectively can enhance member engagement and expand your association’s reach. Regular updates, interactive content, and community-building activities on social media can foster a sense of belonging among members. Tools including Sprout Social for social media management, Canva AI for content creation, and Invideo for AI video creation.
• E-Learning, Webinars and Podcasts: Offering online courses and webinars can help in upskilling and reskilling staff and members. These platforms provide flexible learning opportunities and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the association. If you don’t plan to build your own platform, platforms like Coursera and Udemy offer a wide range of courses that can be customised for your members. Additionally, podcasts can help you capture your audience’s attention without requiring them to stay on screen, allowing them to listen and learn at their convenience. Tools like LibSyn and Descript can facilitate this process. For AI interpretation and translation, tools like Interprefy and Maestra can be highly effective.
For associations aiming to future-proof their operations, our Worldchefs’ experience highlights that investing in digital tools and strategies is not just an option—it’s a necessity for sustained success in today’s dynamic landscape. With a thoughtful strategy incorporating the steps of this guide, you can be a digital-saavy leader in your association. Don’t wait to change—act now to ensure your association remains competitive and relevant.
Worldchefs is an award-winning international professional organisation, with the largest membership of
culinary associations around the globe. With a diverse mandate and members in
over 110 countries, Worldchefs embarked on our digitalisation journey to streamline operations,
enhance member engagement, and innovate new days deliver on their mission.Setting out to future-proof their association,
Worldchefs’ journey involved shifting from paper-based processes to digital
platforms, implementing cloud solutions, and adopting various technologies to
streamline workflows and improve communication. Worldchefs effectively
leveraged podcasts, webinars, online election tools, graphic design software
and AI to better engage with stakeholders globally. By empowering staff and members alike to work in new
ways, giving day-to-day tools a digital upgrade, and constantly reflecting and
improving their tools, both traditional and digital, Worldchefs has been able
to leverage digital technologies to stay ahead of the curve.When COVID-19 hit in 2020, Worldchefs was able to
swiftly adapt to the “new normal” by leaning in on digital platforms. The Sustainability
Around the World webcast channel, launched as part of these efforts, became
an important mainstay in their programming, reaching tens of thousands of
viewers with over 30 episodes focused on sustainable food practices. This move
to digital was expanded through online webinars, e-learning courses, and
virtual events, which allowed Worldchefs to engage with millions of chefs and
stakeholders worldwide, during the pandemic and beyond. The organisation hosts over 30 webinars
annually, has enrolled more than 60,000 students in courses on its open source
learning platform Worldchefs Academy, and produced over 100 podcast episodes,
significantly broadening its global reach and community engagement.This example provides key insights into how
associations can embed digital tools into their daily operations for increased
efficiency and member engagement:•
Use Task and Project Management Tools: Implementing
robust task and project management tools, like Kantree
and Airtable, can streamline processes and improve collaboration. These tools
help in setting up efficient process flows and removing manual, repetitive
tasks through automation.•
Automation: Automating routine tasks not only saves
time but also reduces the risk of human error. This can include everything from
automated email responses to complex data processing tasks. Worldchefs uses
Kantree to setup simple online forms and automate email reply processes in
daily routine tasks.•
Use Data Analysis for Growth: Leveraging data
analytics can provide valuable insights into member behavior, event success,
and overall organizational performance. This data-driven approach helps in
making informed decisions and identifying growth opportunities. Using tools
like Google Analytics and SEO tools like SMERush
and Yoast
allows you to make data-driven decisions.•
Digitizing Paperwork: Avoiding paperwork and
making processes digital can significantly enhance efficiency. Tools like DocuSign
for electronic signatures and cloud storage solutions like Egnyte and Google
Drive can help in this transition.•
Use Conference Technology: Virtual and hybrid
conference technologies have become essential, especially post-pandemic. These
platforms enable associations to reach a wider audience, reduce costs
associated with physical events, and provide interactive and engaging
experiences for members. Explore tools: Zoom,
Microsoft Teams, and Hopin
are popular choices for hosting virtual and hybrid events, and ElectionBuddy
is a smart solution for online elections.•
Social Media: Utilising social media platforms
effectively can enhance member engagement and expand your association’s reach.
Regular updates, interactive content, and community-building activities on
social media can foster a sense of belonging among members. Tools including Sprout Social
for social media management, Canva
AI
for content creation, and Invideo
for AI video creation.•
E-Learning, Webinars and Podcasts: Offering online
courses and webinars can help in upskilling and reskilling staff and members.
These platforms provide flexible learning opportunities and can be tailored to
meet the specific needs of the association. If you don’t plan to build your own
platform, platforms like Coursera and Udemy offer a wide range of courses that
can be customised
for your members. Additionally, podcasts can help you capture your audience’s
attention without requiring them to stay on screen, allowing them to listen and
learn at their convenience. Tools
like LibSyn
and Descript
can facilitate this process. For AI interpretation and translation, tools like Interprefy
and Maestra
can be highly effective. For associations aiming to future-proof their
operations, our Worldchefs’ experience highlights that investing in digital
tools and strategies is not just an option—it’s a necessity for sustained
success in today’s dynamic landscape. With a thoughtful strategy incorporating
the steps of this guide, you can be a digital-saavy leader in your association. Don’t wait to
change—act now to ensure your association remains competitive and relevant.