When you are driving and you know the way you are going, do you pay attention to the mile markers on the side of the road? No? Why not? Because they are there, but they don’t make a difference in your final destination. You look for familiar landmarks or sites that tell you where to turn, or stop. You don’t use meaningless signs that tell basic information, but don’t get you to your destination. If the mile markers don’t serve a productive purpose to get you to your destination, you disregard them.

I am concerned about this because I see many business models that have strayed from their purpose. They are in danger of extinction because they focus on what they THINK they should be doing, as opposed to what their target audience NEEDS them to do for them.

Would you ask the local party store for advice on business growth?

Chambers think they are in the convening business, the community catalyst business, and the community champion business.
 

Nobody joins a chamber to convene; people hate going to meetings and don’t get much business out of networking events. That’s why the President sends some lower-on-the-totem-pole person to the functions. the President knows that a ribbon cutting event gets almost no press and certainly doesn’t add to their long term growth in the market.

Business leaders don’t join a chamber to change the community. They know that they can contribute, but only if their business is growing and making profits. If you can name a city that has rebounded or grown because their businesses showed up to chamber networking events or local parades, I would be amazed. Cities are facing bankruptcy. Communities are in transition as malls close and business goes online. Suburban sprawl is beyond the reach of most chambers as people live in one community and work in another, all while hoping someone will come into their over-priced lobby.

Business owners don’t join chambers to be seen as champions in the community. They know it is easier to be a “champion." if their business is successful. Really, what primary industries in your community owe their success to non profit organizations they belong to?

Do You Mean Business?
Chambers of Commerce are actually in the Business Growth business. Commerce is in their name, but not their functions as an organization. Form follows function; not the other way around. Nobody reorganizes their business around surface events that simply bring people together. We have restaurants for that purpose. That’s what Applebee’s is for... Single events where people go to meet, eat and greet. As a leader told me years ago, “It ain’t nothing but a watering hole.." He was talking about the regular chamber event, but could have been referring to restaurant.

Civic organizations that make a difference give their members concrete strategies and genuine opportunities to grow their businesses. They supply with real world tools, contacts for prospects and new growth ideas to make more money.