This document summarizes a workshop for second-tier business leaders on understanding chambers of commerce and best practices for association leadership. It discusses the roles of chambers in representing members' interests, providing services like training and advocacy, and ensuring good governance. The workshop addresses expectations members have of associations and how leaders can effectively communicate vision and mission, build trust, and develop committees, performance reviews, and financial management. It also covers challenges new secretaries general may face in improving skills, hiring quality staff, and building a professional organization with a clear direction and accountability.

1. Workshop for 2nd Tier
Leaders
Center for International Private Enterprise
November 2014

3. Lets test your reading skills

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?

8. Congratulations!
You all have been promoted as Secretary General

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

12. Vision/Mission
Goals, objectives & strategies
Action Plans & Accountability
Strong and Vibrant Organization

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?

14. Business Association Leaders are smart
people!

16. Learn to Manage Upwards is
the only Solution!

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