What are the benefits of having a business association?

What does the association give to business?

Business associations are one example of bringing people together to achieve a common goal based on a common interest. In ancient times, these were trade caravans, ancient unions of artisans, medieval guilds, guilds and corporations. Today, business associations are chambers of commerce, commercial and industrial groups, professional associations, federations of manufacturers, associations of representatives of small and medium-sized businesses, and other similar organizations.

Their appearance indicates the maturity of a particular area of business. This means that its representatives perceive each other not only as competitors, but also as colleagues, and are aware of the existence of common goals and interests, which are easier to protect together.

An association is a kind of "church" of the industry, uniting entrepreneurs into something more than just a group of businessmen. It becomes a conduit for ideas that give the existence of the business a higher meaning (or the appearance of that meaning, which is also a good thing).

And, of course, it is a platform for communication, exchange of opinions, ideas and news.

In addition, the association is engaged in the development and implementation of projects that unite, cement business, determine and support its ideology: an industry publication, an exhibition, a training center, the creation of industry standards, etc. (we will dwell on this area of activity in more detail below).

The Association acts as a coordinating and directing force, taking over contacts with government agencies, monitoring the stability and security of business, as well as shaping its image in the eyes of society.

But business is too general a concept, and therefore it is difficult to avoid general phrases when talking about it. The conversation will be more substantive if we move on to what participation in the association gives to individual companies or entrepreneurs.

What does the association give to its members?

By joining the association, candidates expect to receive both "political" benefits (for example, to establish themselves as a civilized player in the market) and the opportunity to "behind-the-scenes" solutions to certain issues and lobby their own interests. And, of course, to win financially by saving the costs of participation in its projects (preferential rates for participation in the exhibition and placement of advertising materials on the websites and printed publications of the association, free access to information resources, etc.).

By uniting, enterprises, especially small ones, become able to do things that they would not have the strength or resources to do alone. It is also important that by introducing common "rules of the game" for business and creating industry standards, the association will first of all take into account the interests of its members.

Here are just some of the benefits they can look forward to:

• Creation of projects for members of the association (trade magazine, exhibition, training center, etc.).
• Lobbying the interests of the members of the association.
• Assistance and collective support of the association in dealing with clients, fiscal authorities and third parties.
• The ability to resolve disputes and conflicts with partners and among themselves, directly or through the executive bodies of the association.
• Prompt receipt of information about unscrupulous market participants.
• Support in participation in tenders, intermediary services in reaching out to partners and government agencies.
• Support in negotiations with foreign partners.
• Consultations on business, advertising, legal and other issues.
• Assistance in staff training.
• Access to the results of market research and objective information about its participants.
• Advertising and informational support.
• Additional discounts on goods and services provided by members of the association.
• Preferences and privileges on commodity credits and payments in relations with members of the association.
• Use of the association's image.
  Most of these benefits are the result of the joint work of the members of the association on the implementation of its projects. Having worked together on them, the members of the business community have every right to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

What does the creation of an association give to the organizers?

Of course, it would be strange if, while creating such a useful thing for everyone as a business association, its organizer did not think about his own benefit. What is the "carrot" for the sake of which it is worth "harnessing" and carrying the heavy burden of organizational work?

First of all, it's resources. The Association makes it possible to accumulate a volume of human and financial resources that is not comparable to the capabilities of one company, and makes it possible to solve issues that previously seemed fundamentally unsolvable. This is somewhat akin to the realization of a childhood dream of "becoming a magician" and making the wishes of a huge number of people come true. Of course, association is not a magic wand, but it can also be used to create a lot.

Secondly, the opportunity to develop your own project. If the "crystallization center" of the business community is not an enterprise, but a project: a website, a magazine, an exhibition, a training center, a marketing agency, an information network, etc., the most fantastic prospects open up for its development. For the exhibition, the association can become an analogue of the exhibitors' council (in fact, the organization of the association can begin with the creation of such a council), for the magazine, the community will become a constant source of information content and at the same time funding, the information network will receive a huge customer base, and the project for the development of industry standards will receive a large number of experts. There can be many options.

Thirdly, favorable conditions for your own company. If the organizer of the association is the owner or head of the enterprise, then he gets the opportunity to create the most favorable conditions for his activities. The main thing is that these advantages do not contradict the statutory documents of the association and the interests of its members.

Finally, there is the source of income and career opportunities. If done wisely, an association can become a steady source of income. It consists of two components: membership fees and a share from the implementation of various projects.

Of course, the person who initiated the creation of the association will not necessarily be at the helm of it all the time. But he is not in danger of losing his job either: after all, he is perhaps the most knowledgeable person about the state of affairs in the industry. Moreover, not only does he know everything and everyone, but everyone knows him. The latter, however, will benefit only those who have not been seen in anything reprehensible during their leadership of the association (for example, they have not sacrificed the public in favor of the purely personal).