"Every website has news, events and features, and our new site has more one-way content than ever," said Joan Toth, the Network's executive director. "What distinguishes NEWonline 2.0 is its second-generation business networking and collaboration tools. They are extraordinarily powerful."
Network members can create a personal profile for fellow members, upload [image-nocss] a headshot, create a separate public page to share with the industry, write a blog, post photo albums, share files and build their own "network within the Network." Privacy controls are built in, with security.
Emails with log-on details went to NEW Ambassadors and individual members May 25. Network members whose membership is included as part of their company's national sponsorship should receive invitations to join the site this week from their company's NEW Ambassador. For assistance and information on member access and other site functions email information@newonline.org
NEW President Alison Kenney Paul noted that "the site is the result of a comprehensive process led last year by the Network's information technology committee headed by past president Kimberly Betts and by an online resources committee headed by Executive Committee members Maria Edelson and Debbie Wildrick. It's part of a continuing communications upgrade that includes a new corporate look and logo launched in January," she said. NEW staff members guided by Madeleine Kerr, President of MADLAN Specialists Inc., have been building and fine-tuning the site for several months.
One key site upgrade is 15 new regional group home pages and 18 title sponsor home pages that will enable these groups to network, communicate, collaborate, and share files and photos. Other innovations include a NEW Knowledge Bank with a wealth of information to help members' companies and careers.
"The early reviews have been very positive," Toth said. The site underwent pilot testing in May and all testers surveyed said the site was "better or much better" than the current site. Eight out of nine people surveyed said the site was "better or much better" than other association websites.
Founded in 2001, the Network is a not-for-profit educational organization with more than 2,000 active members representing 300 companies in the consumer products and retail industry, including grocery, convenience, chain drug, mass retail, wholesalers, manufacturers, associations and trade media. The Network has more than 50 corporate sponsors representing the most influential organizations in the CPG/retail industry.
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