This summer, the eco member portal received an update: the new members+ created a platform that enables direct interaction and collaboration for the eco community in the digital space and provides access to exclusive information and material. After the first few months, eco’s Managing Director Andreas Weiss takes initial stock of the portal in an interview.
The new member portal has now been live for several months. What’s your initial verdict?
I’m very satisfied. We’ve now created a solid digital foundation that allows us to work faster and in a more structured manner on common positions, to better support the competence groups in their substantive work, and simultaneously to intensify networking among our members. What’s particularly positive is that we now have a tool that not only provides information but also promotes genuine exchange and collaboration. Of course, there’s always room for improvement, but we are heading in the right direction. The next goals are CRM integration, multilingual capability and AI-supported agents.
What exactly is new compared to the old portal?
The old portal was essentially a static file repository. Now we have a real collaboration platform that goes far beyond that: with clear structure, interactive functions and target group-oriented communication. Members can not only access content, but also actively contribute themselves and benefit from the community’s dynamics.
What content do members currently find there? And which are most in demand?
In the Policy & Law section, we provide weekly “hot topics” from ongoing legislative processes that are of particular importance for the digital and Internet industry. The entire competence groups’ work is much more transparently accessible to all members and is also intended to encourage participation. In general, the content we develop together with our members is an important asset for our association’s communication. This has already worked well for the Security and Email competence groups in preparing recommendations for action for the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) cybernation project with Ms. Claudia Plattner.
Are there functions that are particularly helpful for members but perhaps still underutilised?
We are currently looking very closely at that. Many members are discovering the portal step by step, and we are all still learning how to fully exploit its potential. If you have any questions or need support, please contact our eco member team directly, either via the platform (currently in German, but soon also in English) or at membership@eco.de.
What’s your personal favourite function of the new portal – and why?
I really appreciate the weekly members+ summary. I’m always impressed by the range of topics we shape together with our eco members.
What role does the portal play in the association’s digital development?
The portal is a central building block of our digital development. It enables all members to easily access relevant content, activities and results, and it lays the foundation for even closer cooperation. Speed, transparency, and good organisation of content are crucial factors for remaining agile as an association and being able to respond quickly to new developments.
Have you already received any feedback or requests from members that particularly surprised you?
We’re already receiving feedback and will collect and evaluate further feedback in personal conversations with our members at the eco Interaction Day. These momentums are extremely important, since the portal is not purely a service platform, but a shared working tool.
And last but not least: What would you say to a member who has never been on the new portal? Why is it worth logging in now?
eco thrives on its community, and the member portal is the fastest and most effective way to help shape the association. Here, you not only get the latest information first-hand, but also directly meet fellow campaigners who are driven by the same topics. So let’s get started, as Boris Becker would say: “Am I in yet?”
