Who’s your pack? The importance of Belonging.
We have all likely seen or heard of the movie Mean Girls. It tells the story most of us live through in our early years, are we part of the “in group”? And, if not, what group are we a part of and why? Or, perhaps how do we join that “in group”?
Similar to the world of dogs who always seem to search for a pack to identify with, humans also want to be part of a group. Normally, it is a group they would share common ideology with or similar interests. We, like dogs, search for that pack to belong to in both our personal and professional lives. When it comes to our business, the need to be supported by relevant business owners experiencing many of the trials and tribulations that we confront is real. So, how do we fulfill this need?
Trade groups are common in nearly every industry. They will provide economic and financial information on your industry, common trends, best and worst practices, and most importantly, a forum to discuss those issues of most importance to you. They come in various forms - your industry may have a known association. Most licensed professionals have a trade group that oversees their licensing in conjunction with the state education department that approves their licensing. Examples are the AMA, AVMA, ADA, AIA, AICPA. These professional associations are often critical to providing introductions, networking, latest updates on the issues or laws impacting the specific field. If you are a professional, you cannot afford to not belong to your specific trade group. It is the foundation and the core of your profession. Find the payment of the dues in your budget, somewhere, somehow. To not belong, is a severe competitive disadvantage.
So what about those of us who are not licensed professional? Where do we go to find our pack? First option is a local Chamber of Commerce. These are wells of information and often offer the most competitive health plans, life insurance, and area discounts a business can find, much more so than on your own. Most will also offer Young Professional Clubs or Peer Support Groups along with Networking events. I recently attended a Google Training sponsored by my Chamber of Choice. It was invaluable and I would have not known about it or how to increase the efficiency of my Google Ads without my chamber. Their health insurance plans are a great benefit to both the sole proprietor and the small business with employees. They have the infrastructure and the volume of members that can help lower your cost which could never be achieved on your own. Do not underestimate the value of local chambers, you may not have to participate in all they offer but you will surely find something that benefits your firm which you could have never arrived at on your own.
Other venues for making you feel a part of a greater community would be the local SBA Centers, area private networking groups, local business or country clubs, or perhaps national peer support organizations such as Vistage. Several of these require an investment upfront and for a few of them, the amount is significant. Do not feel the need to join the most expensive affiliation you can find, join the right one for you and your firm. Ask colleagues, ask your centers of influence, you may be surprised at what recommendations or suggestions they may have for you that do not require a hefty check.
Most cities also have Leadership Programs or Centers for Entrepreneurs. You will need to submit an application and compete against other business owners to garner a seat in one of these programs. I went through Leadership Buffalo and the FBI Citizen’s Academy, both were equally informative in different ways for me. But, what was the same was the ability to network and make lifetime friends. The same can be said for being appointed to a not for profit Board of Directors. While this can often become a second full-time unpaid job, it is a way to join like-minded people on a cause you both share passion for and a desire to serve.
Take some time to decide what venue and which approach is right for you and which one will achieve your personal and professional goals. Most of us share the desire to belong to a greater cause and often, finding the pack you run best with, will go a long way in getting us down that path and enriching our friendships, our businesses, and, ultimately, our lives.
