The opinions expressed by Entrepreneur authors are their very own.
Owning a business might be lonely at times, especially if you are the only senior person in the organization. It is difficult to explain to others the effort, constant attention and burden of leadership. In fact, QuickBooks questionnaire found that over 75% of small business owners report feeling stressed, but may not want to discuss their feelings or concerns with employees
However, they are ready to open up to other business owners. Recently I taught classes for Small Business Foundation of Michigan to a group of business owners. During the discussion, the feeling of loneliness increased. Everyone seemed hungry to share experiences and get honest comments on business initiatives. It was a two-session boot camp that was not intended for long-term commitment. To my surprise, after just eight hours of sophistication, participants quickly bonded, and many exchanged information to stay connected.
This need for conversation and compassion between peers is real. For many, the solution is to join business groups. This looks like a good idea, but do your homework. You may find that the experience doesn’t live up to the hype and the cost doesn’t provide a return. I know from experience.
Over the years I have joined economic groups, women’s forums, industry organizations and so on. The results were mixed. Today I have contacts with several organizations that are price your time, but I would like to offer some ideas to those that are still looking.
Is this the right fit?
We all like to belong, but why are you looking for community? Want to learn more about your industry? Want to meet other owners to share general knowledge? Is it about networking and sales? That’s great, but be prepared. When you sell them, they sell you. Make sure the group is your selected goal market. Otherwise it could be annoying and a waste of time.
Many business owners join organizations that supply group purchasing power for goods and services or various forms of insurance. This equalizes the opportunities for smaller enterprises and provides them with what larger entities profit from due to their size. This might be a great profit, but check how the organization vets deals for members. Is it simply pay to play or is there a process to find the best value for members? And do not forget that the offer will change over time.
Do you connect with the mission?
Every organization has a mission. Some focus on serving specific groups, similar to veterans, women, minorities, or specific industries. Others have a broader mission. For example National Small Business Association (NSBA) is a nonpartisan organization that serves all small businesses. For over 85 years, it has been supporting small businesses and ensuring the voices of business owners are heard.
In my role as President of the NSBA Board of Directors, I have had the opportunity to testify before the House Committee on Small Business on the challenges of creativity, sustainability, and future growth. I still belong to this organization because of its mission, which I imagine in.
One of the most significant things about dealing with a mission-based organization is that it often has the time and resources to focus more deeply on the issues at hand. Running a business is difficult when you have to do every thing, so having the strength of an organization behind you makes it easier to manage.
Does the organization have a solid management and succession plan?
Organizations have a life cycle. They build, level out, and then either rise to a latest level or begin to fall. Strength and resilience often come from great staff, strong management and a succession plan. At one point I used to be a panelist at a meeting of the local chapter of a national organization. I liked what I saw and asked about membership. To my surprise, they asked if I’d join and develop into president of the next chapter. This is not a good sign. The problem was that the local chapter was losing members and didn’t have a solid program committee.
Call me crazy, but I accepted the challenge. I asked Citizen to calm down some of the program requirements and worked to stabilize the organization. We recruited latest management board members and implemented a solid succession plan. Today, the department is still operational and healthy.
Check the board and plan your organization. Is it essential? Development? Is there a probability for promotion and gaining management experience?
Check the cost
Most business associations are nonprofit organizations and have various levels of membership. The premium level provides additional access to resources and events. You need to evaluate whether it’s beneficial and whether the basic membership gives you what you wish. Some organizations offer free or online membership. This gives you a probability to explore what they have to offer and then upgrade at some point.
One last thought
I’ve learned a few things over the years. The value of membership really depends on what I put into the organization. If access to a program is not convenient, it is difficult to participate and I get little out of it. Some organizations were great when I began my business but now not met my current needs or kept it fresh.
Don’t stop when you outgrow the organization. Move on. Finally, there have to be ample opportunities for face-to-face and virtual meetings. The real profit is the people you meet. You’re joining in on networking, so be excited to “get in the room” with them.