Making a Difference?: Prove It
The old adage that “You can’t master what you can’t measure” applies when building an effective performance tracking system. This article explores establishing a comprehensive KPI framework for the effective management and growth of chambers of commerce. By aligning KPIs with strategic objectives, using robust data collection methodologies, maintaining regular reporting, leveraging data-driven insights, and benchmarking performance, chambers can deliver greater value to their members and make a positive difference in your community.
A Job Like No Other
The allure of choosing chamber management as a profession is strong. You have the unique privilege of dealing with some of the brightest and best in your community, and the golden opportunity to make a difference, not for one company but for everyone who does business in your town. At the same time, it can be simultaneously, exhilarating, exasperating, and marked by phenomenal highs and character-testing lows. This article reflects on the unique nature of the chamber profession and its peculiar nuances.
Building Brand Equity And Buy-in
This article discusses the importance of communicating your chamber beliefs as well as your chamber’s purpose and activities. Identifying and articulating what the chamber stands for - its guiding principles, per se - can be a powerful motivator to accelerate member and sponsor investment, as well as staff and volunteer commitment. Chambers can grow their brand equity and the buy-in of their stakeholders if purpose, beliefs and activities align to meet or exceed stakeholder expectations.
What Is Your Chamber’s Origin Story?
Origin stories, in text or video format, can bring stronger connection with chamber members. When stakeholders such as members, sponsors and staff can see themselves in your chamber’s story, new avenues open up for investment of time and money. This article outlines the key elements in an origin story and provides tips on preparing one for your chamber of commerce.
Navigating Change in the New Era: Chamber 4.0
Chamber leaders are re-evaluating every aspect of their organization’s existence. This is a good thing. From new business models, to adoption of new technologies such as AI, from initiatives that make chambers more inclusive and diverse to delivering asynchronous learning opportunities for their business communities, change is everywhere. This article presents an approach to help chamber leaders initiate and lead successful change in this brand new era.
Get Stuff Done
A strategy is only as good as its execution. This article outlines the Get Stuff Done Wheel, as introduced in Kim Scott’s book Radical Candor - Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity. Different from the traditional linear Listen-> Decide -> Execute model, the GSD Wheel is comprised of seven steps that cascade upon each other to increase the probability that decisions made by chamber leaders will meet intended outcomes.
Effective Team-building Requires a System
High-performing teams don’t just happen. By acknowledging common dysfunctions, this article explores practical techniques required in creating a team-building system.
World Chambers Unite
Through the generosity of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, local chambers are united internationally as members of the World Chambers Federation (WCF) of the International Chamber of Commerce. It’s mission is to make business work for everyone, every day, everywhere. This article highlights the WCF’s international trade, digital adoption, women’s leadership and sustainability objectives designed to foster peace, prosperity and opportunity for all.
Delegate For Success
Done well, effective task delegation can bring many benefits to your chamber. Done poorly, you can get sidetracked with a whole host of issues. What’s the secret to delegating well? This blog covers practical tips for delegating tasks that will help your chamber succeed.
Interest in Trade with Latin America?
A unique opportunity awaits five Canadian companies. The Bogota Chamber of Commerce will cover airfare and accommodations for the upcoming
World Chambers Federation Americas Summit, themed: Business Beyond Borders: MSMEs Going Global. Application deadline expires March 22, 2024
The Employee Advantage of Chamber Membership
Business owners aren’t the only ones that benefit from chamber membership. Employees can successfully leverage their involvement with the chamber to boost their career and company.
Navigating That Overwhelmed Feeling
Navigating the many roles of chamber executives can sometimes be overwhelming. Advocate, Ambassador, Recruiter, Rainmaker…the list of roles goes on. This article explores strategies to acknowledge the potential for overwhelm and to combine strategic tools that can overcome challenges and lead with resilience, purpose and sustained success.
Sponsorship’s Unique Value
What are the unique value points you should discuss with a potential sponsor? How do the benefits differ from membership in the chamber or from sponsorship of other community initiatives. This article outlines 8 areas of unique benefit you will want to point out in your next sponsor conversation.
Member Retention: questions that show you care
Members stay when they feel that they are cared for. Chambers are places to celebrate wins, explore opportunities, share challenges - in short - a forum of like-minded people that care about one another. This article focusses on questions that help you discover what it will take to retain that member, year after year.
Chambers Are Kind
If you had an extra day, how would you use it? More than 200 chambers worldwide have declared February 29th - Leap of Kindness Day. This initiative spotlights and connects non-profits with local businesses in a day of kind thoughts, words and deeds. The opportunity happens only once a year - but the impact could last a lifetime. What will you do for Leap of Kindness Day?
Dialogue and Discovery: matching their pain with your relief
When meeting with prospective members, articulating unique value is paramount to a successful outcome. Member value differs. Use this interview framework to prep and polish for your next meeting to help you determine what your prospect values or doesn’t.
Identify Gaps In Your Chamber’s Unique Value Propositions
Undertaking a gap analysis is often a helpful way to bolster your chamber’s unique value propositions. Consider these helpful questions as you develop strategies to best serve your members.
Close Gaps: Meet Business Expectations
Closing the gap between member expectations and the service you deliver can sometimes be a daunting task. How does your chamber level up in these areas?
Inside Your Prospect’s Mind: questions they ask themselves before investing in you
There are many demands on business owners’ time and pocketbook today. How do they decide to invest in business support? Let’s step inside their mind and explore the questions their pondering to evaluate your chamber compared to other support options.
Competition?, what competition?
Yours might be the only chamber in town, but you don’t have a monopoly on serving businesses. How does your chamber perform within your community’s competitive landscape? Differentiating your services from that of competitors, helps attract more members.