New improvements announced to drive in-market member communications and engagement

Update from Rory Murphy FRICS, Chair of the Member Services Steering Group (MSSG)

I am pleased to deliver the latest update from the Member Services Steering Group (MSSG). As a member-staff partnership we’ve been focusing on several core priorities to improve members’ engagement, experience and value from RICS.

One of the main priorities for this steering group, set up following last year’s Bichard RICS Review, has been to improve local member communications, providing the capability for World Regional Boards (WRB) and Country Boards to deliver bespoke, timely and relevant updates to members in their regions.

Members wanted to be able to devolve communications from the central RICS function when needed, to deliver market-specific messages, updates and event invitations.

What has been delivered?

The MSSG has consulted with members and listened to their needs and concerns. The working group recognise that agile, speedy and relevant local member communications are imperative to driving increased engagement and improved value to members globally.

Thanks to the focus and collaboration of the MSSG’s member-staff partnership, innovative solutions have been achieved on complex issues relating to IT infrastructure and global data protection legislation. By solving these issues  we are now able to support and empower WRBs to deliver effective and timely communications  in their local markets.

From this month onwards, members will receive local news and event opportunities in ‘real time’, in their language and directly from their local market Boards. These will be delivered across multiple channels:

• email – covering the latest updates, CPD and event opportunities
• rics.org – regional events pages can be published by WRBs and bios of RICS member support teams will be available to view
• social media channels – regional LinkedIn pages are being set up to enable more market-specific engagement

The MyRICS community platform remains an ideal place to communicate, share industry updates and best practice and network digitally with members.

A new and improved online consent centre to allow members to better control their communication preferences will be introduced in the coming weeks, forming the final phase of this project.

How will members benefit?

Along with the improvements listed above, the five WRB Boards have now been transitioned into RICS governance, providing them with more autonomy to set and deliver local market priorities. Along with the additional budgets allocated to support these priorities, the WRB’s now have full agency and access over RICS communications channels for instant engagement with members.

Global chairs of 28 engagement bodies (including country boards and market panels) will also be part of our five WRBs, who will bring local insight and context to our market planning. These will be duly supported by Member Engagement Groups (MEGs) in order to identify and drive local engagement needs.

These improvements will help  deliver even more value to members, wherever you are located. The changes implemented mean we can offer a more bespoke membership service and experience, as well as optimal connectivity with your fellow professionals.

Thank you to everyone on the MSSG along with the supporting teams from RICS who have helped make this happen – it’s a wonderful example of what effective collaboration can achieve.