your career in the chamber profession
TRANSCRIPT
YOUR CAREER IN THE CHAMBER PROFESSION
Where do you go from here?
OF THE FOLLOWING ATTRIBUTES, WHICH 5 BEST
DESCRIBE YOU?
• When working with search committees, often begin with an attribute exercise
• Handout is sample attribute exercise• Do your skills match up to what
most boards are looking for?
• Intern – Alexandria, MN
• Assistant Manager – Alexandria, MN
• Coordinator – Rugby, ND
• Executive Director – Montevideo, MN
• Executive VP – South St. Paul/Inver Grove Heights
• President – Twin West
• President/CEO – Saint Paul
• 2008 – Dowell Management
MY HISTORY
THROUGH THE CHAMBER INDUSTRY AND BEYOND
• Doing search work throughout the Midwest, we noticed that the industry is changing:
– Chamber executives are less willing to move to a new marketplace (often result of 2 income families)
– The industry is getting older – average age of a chamber exec in 2012 was 45 years old. (MACE Compensation & Benefits Survey, 2012)
– Chamber executives are serving their chambers longer. In 2012, 46% of full-time chamber execs had been at their current chamber at least 7 years. In 2010, that percentage was 40%.
– Chamber staff are moving out instead of moving up – more “outside the industry, inside the community” hiring.
– Seasoned professionals that are willing to move are a more valuable resource
THE CHAMBER INDUSTRY IS CHANGING
PROFILE OF THE AVERAGE MIDWEST CHAMBER EXECUTIVE
CHAMBERS WITH INCOME OF $50,000 AND BELOW
PROFILE OF THE AVERAGE MIDWEST CHAMBER EXECUTIVE
CHAMBERS WITH INCOME OF $50,000 -$100,000
PROFILE OF THE AVERAGE MIDWEST CHAMBER EXECUTIVE
CHAMBERS WITH INCOME OF $100,000 - $200,000
PROFILE OF THE AVERAGE MIDWEST CHAMBER EXECUTIVE
CHAMBERS WITH INCOME OF $200,000 - $300,000
PROFILE OF THE AVERAGE MIDWEST CHAMBER EXECUTIVE
CHAMBERS WITH INCOME OF $300,000 - $500,000
PROFILE OF THE AVERAGE MIDWEST CHAMBER EXECUTIVE
CHAMBERS WITH INCOME OF $500,000 - $750,000
PROFILE OF THE AVERAGE MIDWEST CHAMBER EXECUTIVE
CHAMBERS WITH INCOME OF $750,000 - $1,0000,000
PROFILE OF THE AVERAGE MIDWEST CHAMBER EXECUTIVE
CHAMBERS WITH INCOME OF MORE THAN $1,000,000
LEADERSHIP & LIKEABILITY
No matter the size of the chamber, boards want the same thing:
Examples:– Sales ability– Strong verbal communication
OCCUPATIONAL SKILLS
2 COMPONENTS OF WHAT BOARDS WANT
BEHAVIORAL ATTRIBUTESExamples:– Risk taker– Trustworthiness
LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES
What did you say?
1. Visioning2. Financial Management3. Sales/Sales Management4. Staff Management Skills5. Strong verbal and written communications6. Focus/prioritizing tasks7. Strong strategic thinking
TOP OCCUPATIONAL SKILLS SOUGHTBY BOARDS/SEARCH COMMITTEES
1. Honesty/Integrity2. Communicative3. Politically Astute4. Results Oriented5. Organized/Prioritization
TOP 5 – NEARLY ALWAYS INCLUDED
TOP BEHAVIORAL ATTRIBUTES SOUGHTBY BOARDS/SEARCH COMMITTEES
OTHERS OFTEN SITED, BUT NOT ALWAYS:1. Follow Through2. Outgoing/Extroverted/Charismatic3. Tough Minded/Manage Conflict4. Creative5. Initiative/Self-Starter
– Commitment to being a pro – your job is to make the chamber stronger
– Honest conversation with yourself and your family about making this a career and not just a job
• Seriously reconsider your willingness to relocate – lose the metro mentality
– Invest in continuing education and receive IOM designation, other designations are helpful
– Be a leader in your state association and with your fellow execs – those who give get back
– Test likeability and leadership components
– Serve your industry beyond your tenure
• Mentor, internships, willingness to help industry
TIPS ON DEVELOPING TALENT AND MOVING FORWARD IN THE INDUSTRY