The most overlooked business and career boosting activity

Joining and being active in associations:  a chamber of commerce; an industry trade group AND a professional association like Buffalo Niagara Sales and Marketing Executives (BNSME) is the most overlooked and underrated business and career boosting activity.  Two of the most important drivers of success are making connections with your various stakeholders and keeping up-to-date with developments in your industry, markets and profession.  And it turns out, networking and professional development are the two major benefits of associations.  However, the key to gaining leverage from this activity is to be involved in all three types of organizations, not just one.  Not only do they offer unique benefits and target audiences that are all very important to your business and your career, there is a significant cumulative effect of having all three memberships.

Let’s take networking.  These groups attract very different memberships, all of whom are important for your success.  In a chamber, it could be people who buy your products or services, hire you, or public officials who pass legislation that affects your business.  An industry group offers the ability to develop collaborations and partnerships, and sales opportunities for those who serve that industry.  And a professional organization offers a combination of the two:  business and career development.

The secret to networking in these organizations is not to immediately start looking for sales, a job, or whatever benefit you are seeking.  It’s about getting to know other members, helping them before asking them to help you, and expanding your circle of influence through them.  People buy from, hire, help, and do business with people they know and like.  There are hundreds of companies and people who do what you do and do it just as well.  The true competitive advantage is to get to know those who can help you and be visible to them on a regular basis.

And you can be a triple threat by belonging to all three types of organizations.  Not only will you associate with constituencies that are all important, you will likely find some overlap.  When you start networking with these people in different venues, your bond with them becomes even more powerful and results in an exponential impact on your networking efforts.

Professional development and finding out competitive information are other benefits common to all three types of organizations.  Here, what you learn is distinctly different among the three types of associations because it relates to your community, industry or profession.  You’ll have access to information that’s not common knowledge among your competitors, giving you a distinct advantage.  Keeping current on developments in these three areas will give you an inside track on numerous opportunities for you and your business.

There are many other benefits that are common among the three organizations but are distinctly different and require membership in all three.  Advocacy is needed to influence laws and regulations that impact your community, industry and profession.  The discounts offered by the three organizations are different.  The marketing and recruiting benefits are targeted to different groups.  And the credibility that you gain from your memberships make you more trustworthy to these distinct membership groups. The only way to take advantage of all these opportunities is to join your local chamber, your industry group and your professional organization like BNSME.

So, here’s my advice.  Maintain at least these three memberships.  Be active in all three by attending events, volunteering for leadership positions, and fully participating in all the appropriate benefits they offer.  For instance, they all offer marketing and sponsorship opportunities that are an incredible value.  I guarantee that doing this will give you a distinct competitive advantage for your business and career because it is the most overlooked activity in business.  And you know what?  You’ll enjoy the comradery of your fellow members.