Trade Associations – Strength in Numbers

Not another meeting! 

I can’t afford the time for all these meetings!  We say you can’t afford not to go to all these meetings!

We’ve always been passionate about mentoring and networking.  Belonging to your local and national trade association is essential to the health and growth of your business.  As a budding entrepreneur and business owner you’re not going to have all the knowledge you need to truly succeed.

You may think you know it all but I’m sure you still have plenty to learn.

It’s always been amazing how many different trade associations there are.  There’s a group meeting somewhere about anything.  For example, there’s the IAPT, this is the International Association of Plant Taxonomy.  There’s no doubt what they do is way over my head!  They’re one of many associations serving a need in the marketplace, however obscure it might seem to me.

Why do I need to join an association anyway?

Education is the main reason most people join associations.  Groups spend countless hours and dollars developing courses and curriculum for their members.  Finding good education, classrooms, teachers and materials as a small business owner can be difficult.  Associations usually have people on staff whose sole purpose it is to develop classes, hire instructors and run the logistics of the program.

We are members of both NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) and NAHB (National Association of Home Builders).  Both of these organizations arrange for a dizzying array of educational programs.  Many associations even have education requirements for the membership. In NARI, for example, to have certifications you need to fulfill a specific number of educational credits each year.

Collective Lobbying gives a voice to the little guy or gal.  Working as a single business owner in Anytown, USA you have very little say in national political issues affecting your industry.  When you join forces with other small professionals like yourself it builds a voice to be heard in Washington or your local government.  The associations we belong to have an entire staff of people dedicated to lobbying for our interests in Washington DC.  It’s saved our bacon several times!

Networking with other professionals can be more of a benefit than you think.  Others in your industry have the same concerns and desires in business that you do.  They can be a shoulder to cry on or a thoughtful ear.

Many a mentor can also be found through networking in associations.  They’re usually eager to help and generally have the experience to offer advice or help you through a tough period.  You’ll find that after a while these people can become great friends.

Group Discounts are another great way to pool resources and develop benefits for association members.  Many associations offer group health insurance plans to their members.  Generally these aren’t as good as the plans offered by large corporations but they can be much better than what you would get on your own.  Car rental, car insurance and travel discounts are just a few of the other discounts and group buying advantages of associations.

Free Subscriptions can be a perk.  Most associations have an ‘official’ publication which you get as part of your membership.  They can be interesting and sometimes worth the price of admission alone.  Every once in a while I find a great article that was definitely worth the time.

Dispute Mediation is something we don’t like to think about but are happy we have when we need it.  Many groups will organize and help with legal problems or mediate in the event of a dispute with a client.  They are a larger voice and sometimes can be the voice of reason with a difficult client.  The flip side to this is that you’d better be following the rules of your association when you ask them for help.  If not, you could end up on the wrong side of the decision.  Our local NARI chapter has a code of ethics for its members as well as an ethics committee who looks into complaints by clients against members.

Connections for Potential Trade Partners can be a blessing and a curse.  Some of the organizations have great members who are there to help anyone they can.  Others can be leaches who are looking for their next client and have a very selfish attitude.  Avoid the latter!

Connect with the people who you like and can relate to.  They are the ones who will make you and your business better.  Look for individuals who can fill the voids in your business.  There might be bankers, accountants, lawyers or book-keepers as members.  Associations are a great place to get to know these people both socially and professionally.  It’s a lot better than sitting down with them in their office for two hours and trying to decide if you should use them.

Two hours over a couple drinks as a social event is going to tell you a whole lot more!

What you definitely should not do in your association.

Join ‘the board’ right away.  The first thing many associations see when a new member joins is ‘fresh meat.’  They’re always looking for new people to join the board of directors and help run the local chapter.  This can be a great experience and I encourage you to do it, just wait a little while.  Get to know the group and make sure it’s the right fit for you.  There’s nothing worse than getting stuck on the board and then you realize this association isn’t for you!

Don’t get too involved.  It’s great to do your part, attend meetings and socialize with other members.  Don’t take that to an extreme.  Some associations have events two times a week or more.  Attending all of these is going to burn you out in a hurry.

Pick and choose your events carefully.  Go to the ones that really interest you or will have a great educational benefit.  It will make the association much more enjoyable.

Don’t implement too much.  You’re going to learn a lot of great things at seminars and courses.  Don’t try to implement everything you learn right away.  Take it little bits at a time.

When I attend a seminar I usually look for one thing to implement when I get back to the office.  It’s my big takeaway.  Trying to change too many things too quickly can be overwhelming and counter-productive.

Using associations as the ‘power of many’ will give you an advantage with your new small business!