The Hardest Part of Being a Chamber Professional

If you were raised after TV was invented and before they created the technology that allows people to fast-forward through or skip commercials altogether, then you likely have a memory rich in jingles, slogans, and commercial songs.

One that was common in the 70s was “The Peace Corp: the toughest job you’ll ever love.” In the ‘80s – ‘90s the Army also had a memorable one – “We do more before 9 AM than most people do all day.” If you could combine both of those slogans and not worry about copyright, you’d have one for chamber professionals.

Working as a chamber professional can be an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling career choice. The role involves fostering economic growth, supporting local businesses, and creating a vibrant community. However, behind the scenes, there lies a series of challenges that make this profession no easy feat. But just as the Peace Corps claimed, it’s the toughest job you’ll ever love. But what makes it so and how does it position you to be able to handle any challenge that lies in front of you?

The Biggest Challenges Facing Chamber Pros

Simply put, it’s the reliance. When you’re doing a great job, people rely on you FOR EVERYTHING. But that also means you are blamed for it going wrong as well. It takes a thick skin to thrive as a chamber pro but it’s also one of the only careers that can give you such a profound impact on businesses in your area. Your efforts directly impact the economy and the quality of life.

If you want to be a great chamber professional, here’s what you need to prepare for:

The Constant Adaptation

One of the primary difficulties faced by chamber professionals is the constant need for adaptation. Members and community people tend to treat the chamber with a “what have you done for me lately” mentality. That’s why a skilled chamber pro knows that chamber marketing should always be wrapped around the member’s “what’s in it for me” thought process.

Additionally, economic trends, technology advancements, and political landscapes are continuously shifting, impacting not only the chamber but local businesses and your community. As the gatekeepers of economic growth, chamber professionals must stay ahead of the curve to provide relevant and effective support to their members. This involves attending workshops, seminars, and networking events to enhance their knowledge and skills and hosting them too.

Some of your members won’t even know they need the information that is so critical to the business. So, in addition to providing them with accost-effective training or resources, you’ll need to explain why it’s essential to their success.

Balancing Diverse Interests

Chambers represent a diverse range of businesses, from small startups to well-established enterprises, each with its unique needs and interests. The challenge here lies in finding common ground and addressing the concerns of all members fairly. Striking this delicate balance is no easy task, as it requires exceptional communication skills, diplomacy, and the ability to mediate between conflicting viewpoints. For instance, some chambers feel conflicted when supporting a “Shop Local” movement because they also have large chain stores and franchises.

While treating every business the same—not favoring one over another—seems like the solution, these days customization is an expectation. Members want you to provide benefits that help them thrive and that means approaching your tiers from an individualized level, while still having scalable offerings.

Limited Resources, High Expectations

Another significant hurdle faced by chamber professionals is dealing with limited resources and high expectations. Chambers often operate with tight budgets, making it challenging to implement all the innovative ideas and initiatives they wish to pursue. Yet, there is an ever-increasing demand from members for top-notch services and assistance. This pressure to deliver results with limited means can sometimes lead to feelings of frustration and burnout.

One way many chambers are choosing to take on some of these bigger quality-of-life issues like workforce development is through the creation of a Chamber Foundation. A Chamber Foundation often encompasses a more targeted focus. It needn’t be all-encompassing like the chamber might. Foundations have specific tasks and in-demand projects. Certain chamber expenses can be moved and covered by the Chamber Foundation as well. For instance, if workforce development was 25% of your chamber job and workforce was the Foundation’s focus, 25% of your salary could be covered by the Foundation and thus free up additional money from the chamber’s budget to do other things.

Advocacy in a Complex Political Climate

Advocacy is a crucial aspect of a chamber professional's role. Chambers serve as the voice of local businesses, lobbying for policies that promote economic growth and prosperity. However, in today's complex political climate, achieving consensus and driving change can be an uphill battle. Chambers must navigate through various layers of government bureaucracy, political affiliations, and conflicting interests to push their agendas forward.

Elected leaders may feel like the chamber is not supporting them enough and candidates may feel alienated when you point out their lack of support for a business initiative. But at the end of the day, the chamber is not partisan, but pro-business. Any candidate or official that can support what’s best for business will likely win with the chamber and the reverse is true as well.

As a chamber pro, you will need to be diplomatic. However, it’s important to know that most ethics laws do not allow elected officials to endorse or rally for the support of candidates (including themselves) while working in an official capacity. That means, for instance, it would be inappropriate for your mayor, while attending an event as the mayor, to tell you that the chamber needs to support him/her more during the upcoming election. Elected officials are also not allowed to use official resources for their campaigns. The elected position should be separate from the position of candidate. How much of that you choose to deal with is one for you and your chamber to decide.

Managing Stakeholder Expectations

Chamber professionals must deal with a diverse group of stakeholders, including business owners, government officials, community leaders, and the general public. This means juggling a wide range of expectations and ensuring all stakeholders feel heard and valued. Building and maintaining positive relationships with these groups is essential for the chamber's success, but it can be an overwhelming and time-consuming responsibility.

A skilled chamber professional must navigate the intricate web of stakeholder interests, ensuring a delicate balance that promotes collaboration and prosperity within the business community. To achieve this, adopt a multifaceted approach that acknowledges the diverse needs of various stakeholders. For small business owners, the chamber pro might put together inclusive programs, webinars, and networking events, designed to foster growth, access resources, and overcome challenges.

Simultaneously, for large business owners, the focus shifts toward facilitating partnerships, encouraging corporate social responsibility, and advocating for policies that bolster economic development. With elected officials and city leaders, you’ll be advocating for policies that benefit the business community and the wider population, addressing concerns regarding infrastructure, regulations, and sustainable growth.

To unite these diverse stakeholders, the chamber professional cultivates open communication channels, encouraging business association leaders to actively participate in decision-making processes, ensuring their concerns and perspectives are considered. Ultimately, your holistic and diplomatic approach allows you to bridge gaps, build consensus, and drive collective progress that benefits the entire community. A solid, experienced board can be a big help as you steer through these challenges.

Being a chamber professional is a dynamic and challenging role that requires a unique set of skills and qualities. The hardest part of this profession lies in navigating ever-changing landscapes, from adapting to new economic realities to managing stakeholder expectations effectively. Despite the difficulties, chamber professionals play a crucial role in fostering economic growth, supporting local businesses, and creating a vibrant and thriving community. But as you lead in this role, your dedication and resilience will make you an invaluable asset to the business world and society at large.