5. Understanding Chamber Business
A chamber is a voluntary membership based
business organization that serves their member’s
collective interests
6. Generic Roles of a Chamber/Association
• Work proactively to improve the sector's / region’s profitability and
competitiveness (R&D)
• Work effectively to represent the sector's interests at all levels of the
legislative regulatory process (Policy Advocacy)
• Supply sound information and advice for members (PR &
Communications)
• Promote exports and other market opportunities (Trade facilitation)
• Promote training and education (Training)
• Work to ensure practice of principals of good governance (Ethics)
7. 21st Century Business Associations 1. Expectations - What our members expect from our association?
2. Vision – is our mission member driven or board driven?
3. Mission – is our mission aligned with our vision?
4. Communication with Board members – do we communicate vision/Mission with
board members?
5. Trustworthiness – do we do what we say?
6. Communication – do we communicate effectively with our stakeholders?
7. Partners – are our partners satisfied?
8. Board members – Are our broad members credible?
9. Committees – how effective and empowered our committees are?
10. Performance – Do we have a performance review system?
11. Monitoring – Do we have an effective monitoring system?
12. Leadership Development – Do we have succession planning in place?
13. Financial Management – Do we have a financial management system?
14. Governance and Ethics – Do we have any codes and do we implement?
15. Appreciation – Do we rejoice success?
9. Your Challenges as Secretary General
• Remain ethical
• Improve Skills
• Hire quality HR
• Train and Retain
• Be creative
• Make Profits
• Build a professional organization
10. What are some key challenges
while dealing with your
leadership?
11. • Lack of clear direction
• Inability to communicate the message / task
• Compromises
• High Expectations
• Responsibility without Authority
13. As a Vibrant Leader…….
•What are 5 things that you will change
immediately?
•What rules will you break?
•What rules will you make?
•What will be the hurdles?
17. • Engage – Yes
• Collaborate – Yes
• Challenge – When needed (not in public)
• Advise – When he is stuck
• Object – Yes (not in public and in positive sense)
• Manage – YES (but he must not feel it)
18. • Understand Your Organization
• Understand Strengths and Weaknesses of your leader
• Clear any ambiguity about the tasks given
• Know your limitations (even admit mistakes)
• Build your credibility by continuous learning