The Real Value of a Chamber

I am thinking about two meetings I had last week. In each, the question posed to me was: “how do I continue to grow my business?” One was focused more on getting the word out and the other more on navigating the strategy of his growth.
 
Together these two conversations are especially interesting because they illustrate a question I’ve been noodling on. What is the value of a chamber…. really?
 
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I first met with the Second Chance guy. He is building a professional life and business after being incarcerated. Then I met with the Entrepreneur, who wanted to talk about his aspirations to break out and start his own company.
 
For both, my counsel was the same: show up and be open to what develops.
Objection: “I don’t have time to build relationships.”
My response: “You don’t have time NOT to.”
 
Let me explain.
 
I think back to my own journey of professional development in this region. I spent 10 years working in Minneapolis, then came to my first job in St. Paul in 2006, with zero connections to leverage and zero power of my own that required others to need me. I struggled socially, but I didn’t think it mattered because I thought working hard would carry me. And, I figured, I’d meet people soon enough.
 
Business was good but I wasn’t connecting with people very well. I felt isolated.  Through a rather circuitous journey, I’ve learned three things that have transformed my professional life:

1. Instead of chasing someone I want to meet, stop and turn around to see who’s been chasing me.  Meet that person and build a relationship there.
2. Stop worrying about competing with someone else on his/her terms. I had to figure out my own style and walk that out.
3. Show up and be open to what develops.

 
They seem like easy things, but all require a release of some kind. Power, competition, control. The benefits have been extraordinary. My relationships at this stage of my life are richer than they’ve ever been. My friendships are real, trustworthy. And my empathy has expanded as well.
 
And all this was learned through my 20+ years of engagement with a chamber of commerce.
 
So, back to the Second Chance Guy and the Entrepreneur. Again, for both my counsel was the same: show up and be open to what develops. People need to know who you are before they are willing to trust you with their business. Your Chamber facilitates introductions, relationship building. We provide the opportunity, the platform as it were, for you to step in and engage.
 
And for those of you who are “full,” who have built your network and don’t feel the need to show up, please - invest in our work and the growth of your newer employees by reminding them that your chamber membership applies to EVERYONE in your organization. Bring them to an event or encourage a group of newer employees to attend together and pass the baton and help them understand the powerful value of networking and making connections that count to your business and their career growth and community engagement. Your chamber continues to advance your priorities, supports today’s leaders and helps develop tomorrow’s – who just might wind up working with you!
 
See you in the trenches,
B