In a down economy, a businessperson can experience frustration, helplessness, even loneliness. When facing a personal crisis, individuals know to turn to a family member, counselor or clergyman. When facing a business crisis, individuals are tempted to cut costs, which in addition to business meals, often means training, workshops and association memberships. But workshops and business associations may be exactly what are needed to help a businessperson through difficult times.
In the old days, most “networking” took place in union halls. The ALF-CIO and a few similar national groups had large memberships, numerous chapters and set national agendas; they were powerful politically and socially. In the past few decades, as manufacturing decreased and white collar professions grew, the nature of business organizations also changed. Today there are innumerable business associations and organizations designed to meet any local businessperson’s needs, wants or interests.
First there are the chambers of commerce. The larger ones, like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce can provide everything from opportunities for group health insurance to getting involved in task forces influencing public policy. Many of these are, what can be called full-service business associations. These organizations in various geographic areas (e.g., Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Glendale, etc) are valuable for their breath of services and, like blue chip stocks, should be a part of every businessperson’s portfolio.
But there are other organizations, which can supplement specific needs. Of the 14 chambers of commerce in Phoenix, many are associations appealing to ethnic groups. The Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce (GPBCC), which has been in the Valley since 1997, can focus on specific problems facing minority businesses and give its members social, cultural and emotional support. There are also chambers addressing the needs of Native American, Chinese-, Korean-, Indo-, Hispanic-Americans and multi-cultural groups, like Grand Canyon Minority Suppliers Development Council.
Other associations, which address gender issues, are gaining popularity. For example, Women of Scottsdale provides “women who live, work or conduct business in Scottsdale a forum for networking in a noncommercial atmosphere.”
More specific technical skills can be honed in professional societies and trade associations. These types of organizations include large groups, like the Greater Phoenix Convention &Visitors Bureau or the Arizona Restaurant & Hospitality Association, which are strong lobbyists for hospitality causes.
Whether one is a start-up in the Arizona Small Business Association or a Fortune 500 firm executive in the Phoenix Community Alliance, he/she can gain skills, learn solutions to business problems, identify new customers, gain needed social and cultural support, and enhance your bottom line by investing in a membership in a local business association. But in hard times, businesspeople should thoroughly assess the pros and cons and keep only those memberships, which provide the best return on investment.
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