In these sometimes uncertain times, business professionals often wonder where their time and resources are best spent. They know they need to keep up in their industry for job security and network with other business professionals to bring business to and increase exposure of their companies to the general public. However, they are often unsure how to best accomplish these goals.
Fortunately, we have the answer! You can accomplish all of these goals and more by joining a professional organization that provides networking, training and other valuable tools that you can often use in both your professional and personal life. Need more convincing? Read on!
Networking
Professional organizations allow for gatherings of like-minded professionals who are either a part of the same industry you are or are in diverse businesses that you will benefit from networking with. Depending on the type of group you join, you can either trade industry information or learn more about your profession or you can market your products and services to other business owners and get their advice on how to best reach out to potential clients.
Many networking groups also provide a mutual referral system so that others are looking for clients for you while you search for good clients for them. This mutual trading of referrals benefits everyone as the best clients often come from referrals from those who like and trust you and what you do.
Increased Professional Opportunities
If you are looking to become a community leader in your industry (or in the community in general), joining an organization can be highly useful. You can find opportunities to speak to groups of students, non-profits or other businesses similar to yours. These opportunities enable you to educate people as well as develop relationships with potential clients. This type of publicity and willingness to educate and interact with the public helps familiarize the community with your name and not only helps enhance your business, but also your personal brand.
Getting The Most Out Of An Organization
Simply being a member of an organization doesn’t necessarily mean that you are a productive member. In order to develop your knowledge base, establish new friendships and hone your salesmanship skills, you must attend meetings regularly.
In addition, you should mingle with as many members as possible. The most successful members are those who meet with other members outside of the meetings and really get to know one another and their businesses so they can better trade referrals. You should also consider being on the leadership team of an organization, whether that’s on their marketing team, as the facilitator of the group or any area where you feel like your specialties will fit in well. Not only does this make you get more involved in the group, it also ensures your name will appear on marketing materials for the group, therefore getting your name more exposure.
Joining The Right Organization
Before joining an organization, you should determine what you hope to get out of the experience. If you are looking to exchange ideas on an ongoing basis with other professionals in your industry, you’ll be looking for a much different group than if you wanted to network with potential clients. Identify your goals before you begin searching for a group or you will likely end up in one that doesn’t suit your needs.
Also, make sure that you have some time to devote to the organization. Your membership may not be of benefit to you if you are too busy to attend meetings regularly and interact with other members and the general public. Before you join any group, make sure the time commitment involved is clearly defined and make sure your schedule allows you to devote this much time to it.
Joining organizations is an excellent way to increase your professional and personal brand, become more educated in your industry or the business world in general and get wonderful referrals for potential clients. Make sure you are choosing the right organization and that you are doing your best to be a productive member and the money and time you devote to the organization will be well worth it!
If you’re looking for a group to join, please consider one of the following:
BNI of the Heartland
BNI of the Heartland offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and most importantly, business referrals. Currently with 29 chapters, over 650 members passed more than 21000 referrals generating $9.3 million in closed business in 2009.
Belonging to BNI is like having dozens of sales people working for you that carry your business cards with them, and when they meet someone who could use your products or services, they take out your card and recommend you.
BNI provides a structured and supportive system of giving and receiving business. It does so by providing an environment in which you develop personal relationships with dozens of other qualified business professionals. By establishing this “formal” relationship with other people, you will have the opportunity to substantially increase your business.
For more information please contact our regional office at 402-880-6311, email info@bninebraska.com or visit our website, www.bniheartland.com.
IAAP® (The International Association of Administrative Professionals®)
Joining a professional association demonstrates your commitment to your career. IAAP® (The International Association of Administrative Professionals®) provides networking opportunities as well as cost effective training opportunities. IAAP works to build a professional image of administrative professionals in the workplace and creates standards of excellence through education and certification. As a member of IAAP, you will help create the future of the administrative profession.
IAAP has a number of chapters available in the Omaha area.
Ak-Sar-Ben Chapter – evening meeting –2nd Tuesday of each month September thru June. Contact Ann Burke CPS/CAP at 402.951.2922 or www.iaap-aksarben.org )
Heartland Chapter – lunch meeting –3rd Thursday of each month September thru June (contact – Sue Violi CPS/CAP at 402.991.8414) www.iaap-heartland.org)
Remember Administrative Professionals Day® – Wednesday, April 21, 2010.
Millard Business Association (MBA)
The Millard Business Association (MBA) is an organization dedicated to improve and connect their business membership to each other while sharing knowledge and expertise that will benefit the entire community.
The MBA has expanded to over 425 active members and continues to grow while making a difference in the Millard Community. Affordable memberships ($85 yearly) are open to companies doing business in the Millard Community.
We offer our membership a variety of events and activities to form business alliances such as Network Lunches, Evening Socials, Business and Bagels Events, Lunch and Learn and Referral Groups. Times and dates can be found at www.millardbusinessassociation.org The MBA also recognizes and honors outstanding members nominated by their peers at our yearly Gala held each April.
Human Resource Association of the Midlands (HRAM)
If your organization is affected by human capital, then HRAM is for you!
The Human Resource Association of the Midlands (HRAM) is the premier organization for HR professionals in the Omaha metropolitan area. Our mission is to provide members with a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of human capital management. Through educational, developmental, and professional interaction forums, HRAM serves the greater Omaha metropolitan area. HRAM is a local affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Benefits of membership include networking and a directory of over 1000 members, monthly meetings and technical sessions on current issues, job hunter/Career Expo for HR professionals, scholarship programs, annual wage/salary and benefits survey, HR certification and continuing education credits, as well as community volunteer opportunities.
For more information, please visit www.hram.org.
Buy It Local Omaha
Buy It Local Omaha is a group of privately held, locally owned businesses in Douglas, Sarpy, Washington, Dodge, Pottawattamie or Mills Counties.
Our mission is to educate the local consumer on the advantages of buying products and services from a local business. We connect the local consumers with local businesses and local businesses with each other by offering various services and networking opportunities for the entire community. Our goal is to stimulate the local economy. Memberships are available for local businesses beginning at $75 per year.
Visit www.buyitlocalomaha.org for more information and an application.
The American Society for Training and Development: Nebraska Chapter
ASTD Nebraska is an organization dedicated to today’s workplace learning and performance professionals. If the person who trained you at your job was exceptionally good at facilitating your learning, he or she might be a member of our organization.
ASTD Nebraska is a local chapter of The American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), the world’s largest association dedicated to workplace learning and performance (WLP) professionals. Our mission is to “enhance members’ abilities to train, develop and support clients and organizations and our local global communities.” We provide our 300+ members with quality resources, networking opportunities, and continuing education.
If you are a WLP professional—perhaps you just call yourself a corporate trainer, a mentor, or a coach—we can help you take your career to the next level.. www.astdnebraska.org.
Executive Networking
Executive Networking is a newly formed group of business professionals who get together once a week on Thursdays from 11:45-1:00 pm.
There is only one person represented from each industry and the purpose of the group is to trade referrals and expand your potential client base.
The group is currently looking for representatives from industries such as landscaping and property management to join their group.
For more information, please contact Bill Stazzoni at (402) 453-8600.
Metropolitan Omaha Builders Association
The Metropolitan Omaha Builders Association represents the building industry. Founded in 1946, MOBA represents over 625 companies with several thousand employees.
The association is affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders. As the voice of the industry, MOBA works on the local, state and national levels to insure that our members are able to do business effectively.
Additionally, we offer numerous networking opportunities holding monthly dinner meetings with speakers and educational opportunities throughout the year. Many of these opportunities are at no charge to our members.
Members can promote their business throughout the year. Events such as the Omaha Home Show, Remodel Omaha Tour, Parade of Homes and the acclaimed Street of Dreams provide a built in audience for you and your business. For detailed information and pricing, visit www.moba.com. JOIN TODAY!