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