What does it take a business to increase sales revenue and the margin of profit year after year? The answer: lots of skill; lots of access to new customers; some money; and good employees, too. But, in today’s changing world, success also means that businessmen and women need to change their attitudes, change their business strategy and be willing to change their mind.

I would like to have more businesses change their minds about the value of a chamber of commerce. Forget those old stereotypes about chambers being neophyte, elitist’s promoters, or the local organization that puts floats together for parades and claims credit for good weather. Nothing could be further from the truth. Chambers will not stay in business repeating what they have always done. They have to change to grow and survive. Like a for-profit business, chambers have competition-now more than ever.

For a chamber, change means paying attention to economic indicators and listening to customers. Whether, businesses have 2 employees or 20,000, they expect tangible value for their membership. However, the value that a business expects from the chamber changes based on many factors the economy size of their business, whether it is large or small, family owned, brand new or 50 years old. Therefore, bottom line, chamber business is about paying attention, listening, being ahead of the curve with the ability to adjust the organization’s business strategy to change in response to the needs of the business.

Networking opportunities are just part of the chamber’s product mix. Businesses join for many reasons and our challenge is to meet those diverse needs. It has always been a win-win to be part of a chamber - a win for the business members and for the community. A chamber does not stay in business because of good weather or by giving its members plaques for their walls. Just like any business, we have to work to retain members, pound the pavement to maintain and increase customer base and sell value each and every day. We must always pay attention to the new demands of our customers-the constant changing business community.

Today’s chamber of commerce customer, our members, has it clear they want tangible services information on technology, technical assistance about obtaining financing to grow their businesses and cut governmental red tape. They want access to other business leaders and current local economic and demographic information and member-to-member incentives on goods and services to help control their own expenses. Additionally, they want their chamber using economies of scale to promote business – to ensure the business climate remain strong with low taxes and business friendly legislation. More than ever, our customers expect us to step up – be a leader on community and quality of life issues that are important to business, particularly training the work force to fit better the needs in the 21st Century.

It is a full agenda and we must deliver if we expect to bring new business members and retrain existing customers. So, the next time you have the opportunity to invest do so in a chamber. Your Chamber investment and your time can be maximized for the good of our community and the good of your business bottom line.