Thursday, January 21, 2010

Have chambers forgetten that businesses expect returns on their investments?

We used to belong to three local chambers of commerce.

Not so long ago, the largest of the three chambers began competing in the local market, effectively hampering the business of their paying members, so now we belong to only two local chambers.

We're now at the point of regretting paying another year's dues for the next largest chamber, and vow to let our membership lapse when this year's dues expire.

Why have we lost faith in the second chamber? Because after being charter members, paying dues for ten years, I cannot cite one single thing that chamber has done for our business. Not one referral, not one lead, not a single prospect contacted our business through our membership with that chamber.

I can, however, recite a long list of things we've done for that chamber, all without any type of compensation, acknowledgement, or even a thank you. We've spent a great deal of our time and money helping promote that chamber so it would continue to grow, attract new members, feed hungry families, and have increased attendance at its events.

We love giving. We think giving is the most important thing a person or business can do. But there's a point where you feel taken advantage of, instead of helping a worthy organization or worthwhile cause.

With this chamber, the final straw was getting an invitation to the annual awards dinner next weekend - at $60 per person, with a cash bar. If we were to attend, two of us would shell out $120 at the door and likely another $30 in drinks and tips. Four of us would be in the range of $300.

Tourism is down, jobs have been lost, income is down everywhere, so why is this chamber expecting businesses to continue shelling out good money for a frivolous event?

It's an award dinner to honor its members. So why doesn't the chamber sponsor this event and pay for the meals and drinks? That would effectively thank all members for continuing to support the chamber during this recession.

Our business would rather keep our money working for us, and after ten years with this particular chamber, unless some serious policy changes are made by their board of directors, I doubt that will happen at this event or any other they host.

:) sunshine

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Will 2010 be scary or exciting for you?

Last night, while talking with a fellow member at the monthly chamber of commerce business after hours gathering, it dawned on me just how excited I am about what will unfold this year.

Now, I don't believe we've yet seen the worst that this recession will hand us. I believe things will get worse economically, for most businesses and families, mine included.

So why am I so excited about this year?

I'm excited because adversity and challenges pave the way for unprecedented innovation and growth, and it's exhilarating to know that welcome changes and improvements are just over the horizon.

I truly believe that without obstacles and problems, we don't grow, in any area of life. So I'm looking at the bright side of this recession and using the time to trim both personal and business budgets as well as develop alternative revenue streams this year and for the years ahead.

In the third quarter of 2009 we formed our first partnership with a successful local marketing company, and projections from that union range from promising to phenomenal.

This year, we'll be partnering with at least four other local companies to create much stronger market presence than either of us would have on our own.

That is wildly exciting.

:) sunshine

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