Image of Chambers Today

What Are Your Thoughts on the Strengths, Weaknesses and Image of Chambers Today?
Opinions from Former Chamber Executives

Bruce Ackerman is president of the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership. His chamber career included serving as the executive of the Van Nuys and Pasadena chambers.

At the risk of using an old cliché, I see some "good news" and some "bad news" with regard to today's chambers.

The "good news" -
The need for an effective chamber is greater today than ever. Many of our communities continue to suffer from a critical lack of leadership involvement from the business sector, and a properly functioning chamber can fill that void and provide vital direction.

The demand for those quality chamber products and services needed by the business community is as great as ever. A competent chamber that listens to its customer-members is really the only game in town.
The vision of building the kind of community in which we all want to live, work and play is alive and well. And a focused, member-driven chamber can deliver that dream. The right ingredients in a powerful chamber truly represents the last guardian of the competitive enterprise system.

The "bad news" -
No direction. Many chambers simply are doing the same old programs the same way they always have without reflection or regard for what the business community wants and needs. The easiest way to determine if a chamber falls into this trap is to look at the numbers - if there are fewer members today than in other years, take a long, hard look at the products being delivered.

No leadership. The development of tomorrow's community leaders today is one of the most critical functions a chamber can serve. But many chambers do not dedicate the time or resources necessary to help groom these business stalwarts of the future.

No customer focus. At the risk of being critically repetitive, what part of "customer-focus" is so hard to understand? But many chambers don't get it! Today's chamber must constantly check in with its customer base in order to be sure it is in touch with the real world!