APG Specialty Publications 00_SHAKOPEE_MD_19_BOOK_FLASH | Page 8

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS THE ULTIMATE RESOURCE FOR ANY BUSINESS The Shakopee Chamber of Commerce is aimed at improving all aspects of business in our area. Being a member provides you: ACCESS: Connecting your business with the opportunity to be KNOWN by the people who matter most. ADVOCACY: Connecting your business with the opportunity to be HEARD at every level of government. VISIBILITY: Connecting your business with the opportunity to be SEEN by a targeted audience. RESOURCES: Connecting your business with the opportunity to DEVELOP to the fullest potential. DID YOU KNOW? The Schapiro Group’s research study on the Real Value of Joining a Local Chamber of Commerce reveals impressive stats on how joining the Chamber can impact your businesses. • Most consumers (59%) think that being active in the local Chamber of Commerce is an effective business strategy overall. It is 29% more effective, however, for communicating to consumers that a company uses good business practices and 26% more effective for communicating that a business is reputable. • If a company shows that it is highly involved in its local Chamber (e.g., sits on the chamber board), consumers are 12% more likely to think that its products stack up better against its competition. • When consumers know that a small business is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, they are 44% more likely to think favorably of it and 63% more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future. "The Real Value of Joining a Local Chamber." Battlecreek.org. The Schapiro Group, n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2015. VALUE ON YOUR INVESTMENT Value on Investment (VOI) is defined as intangible assets that contribute heavily to an organization’s performance. These intangible assets include knowledge, processes, the organizational structure, and ability to collaborate. Let’s substitute the “I” in VOI to better explain your returned Value. • Information: We provide timely and relevant information our members use (e.g., newsletters, publications, updates on issues and outcomes). • Initiative: On behalf of our members, we take a stand on issues and ensure that a business voice is included before decisions are made. • Impact: Our initiatives create impacts that benefit our members, the business community and industries we serve. • Influence: Because we proactively monitor business issues and take actions where needed, we are seen as one of the most influential organizations in our community or state. • Interaction: We provide opportunities for members to make connections, share information, and learn best practices from a community of their peers. • Instruction: We offer timely, industry- appropriate, and cost-effective educational opportunities so members can sharpen their skills, stay compliant, and compete locally and globally. • Insights: Members gain valuable knowledge, best practices, and learn from other members and industry experts. • Integration: Members can apply what they have gained to their own organizations to meet their goals. As your Chamber, we deliver on VOI, which includes both financial and intangible benefits for our members! Information provided by: http://institute.uschamber.com/move-from-roi-to-voi/ 8 | WWW.SHAKOPEE.ORG