Chambers of Commerce Help

This continues my series on programs that can help your business grow

Most people recognize the Chamber of Commerce. Each community sponsors a chamber to develop businesses and enhance the community. Chambers lobby Congress, local legislatures, and city councils on behalf of business. Many times they promote large infrastructure issues such as road construction, redevelopment districts, tax changes, and jobs bills.

People in large cities perceive that the chamber focuses almost exclusively on helping global or large corporations. Sometimes members feel their chamber lost sight of main street problems.  Frequently, small-business owners feel neglected in the larger chambers.

Chamber Services to Small-Business Owners

The US Chamber of Commerce sponsors Small Business Nation. Their web site defines the mission of Small Business Nation. The site still rings with rhetoric and action on lobbying. For example, ignore the community and take action sections unless you want to get involved in the political process.

I suggest you focus on the training for small- and mid-business owners offered through the toolkits section. At first you can see much of the toolkit information, however, after several views it begins to require a membership username and password. Individual membership costs $125 per year. The toolkit offers articles and tips on the following topics:

• Employer explores legal issues related to owning a business like complying with healthcare, paying your employees, benefits for employees, rules and guidelines for your employees, how to get the best from your employees, disciplinary action, firing and termination.
• Finances provides information about bookkeeping to managing your credit, growing your personal wealth, and 10+ ready-to-use documents and forms. I liked the forms because you can use them repeatedly.
• Government Contracting offers tips on what you need to know to contract with the government, 10 steps to successful bids, what happens in the bid evaluation and award phase, multiple sources that can help you in the bidding process, and the concept of sub-contracting on government bids.
• Insurance explains why you need insurance, different types of insurance, how to provide insurance and healthcare to your employees, and insuring you and your office.
• Online Solutions describes the essentials of online marketing including your website, email marketing, social media, and online advertising.
• Printing and Shipping outlines shipping and printing services (you can’t miss the plug for FedEx), document services, shipping solutions, frequently asked questions, signs, graphics, and photo services.
• Purchasing and Inventory begins with a plug for Sam’s Club, but provides information about investing in purchasing and the purchasing process; and articles about inventory control, control systems, security, and quality.
• Sales and marketing gave access to information on 5 questions that every business should answer, analyzing the market environment, market research, developing and refining you product, packaging and pricing, promotion, advertising, public relations, and total quality management.
• Start Up highlights what to do before you get started, creating your business plan, and financing your business 101.

You can find all of these resources at the national web site for the US Chamber of Commerce. Each local chamber also offers leads groups to network with other business owners, ribbon cuttings for new businesses, Chamber Universities, workshops, lectures, and other benefits.

I also found a web site called ChamberofCommerce.com. I don’t think it is affiliated with the main chamber.The logo, URL, and feel of the web site differ drastically from the US Chamber of Commerce site. However, it accesses local chambers. It also offers Chamber University that includes free videos and articles to help business owners grow their business. Beware, though, that they monetize the site with lots of ads and paid endorsements.

I suggest you find your local Chamber of Commerce and explore what they offer. Join only if you find their focus will give your business a good return on investment.