If your Chamber is like mine you may be experiencing the same problem I am. If you are not and have found solutions, then maybe you should be writing this blog. The problem is two-fold: 1) a hole in the bucket as we bring new members in while losing others and 2) through merger and acquisition of current members a reduction in major level investments. To be clear, this is not meant to be a doom and gloom update, rather a call to action and a commitment to get real.
Just another line item…
In Greater Peoria we have 10 Chambers of Commerce, an EDC, a CVB, a Downtown Development organization, BNI and multiple special interest groups working on networking, business development and more. I was recently at a lunch meeting with a member executive who really LOVES us and has been impressed with our Chamber services. Over the last four years we have significantly expanded membership while cutting administrative costs by over $200k. Sounds great, right? By the conclusion of lunch, I left with a large reduction in his annual investment. He shared that despite his appreciation for our Chamber, the long list of regional investments they make to the other organizations along with a new company budget required him to reduce his annual commitment. My shoulders sank and I thought, “I am just another line item.”
Mouth outpaced brain…
Without hesitation, I said “This is no problem. Please consider moving some of your investment from these other groups to me. You see we are doing A, B and C much better!” (Boy, I really hope my “competitor” Chambers, EDC, CVB, and Downtown Development colleagues don’t read this) In response, I received a dropped jaw. My spontaneity had done me a real solid and I ran with it. I went on to tell him that I do believe my team does a better job than anyone else and the only way we can continue our momentum is for him to continue his financial commitment.
After holding his breath for a moment, he exhaled, and with a wry smile he casually wagged a forefinger at me saying, “You know I can’t do that. Everyone is getting cut the same.” Again, I thought, “I am just another line item.” Now with even more resolve I fired back, “Then don’t you see the dilemma? I am not charged to put partner agencies out of business while I am charged to retain and grow in the same marketplace.”
Partnerships and Collaborations…
I really do hope my community partners read this and I’ll likely forward to them. You see, THEY have helped me reach this conclusion and in the end, it will be this regional team who solves it. As with everything we do, I believe we are stronger together.
Jeff Griffin, IOM can be reached for your feedback at jgriffin@peoriachamber.org
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