Innovative Thinker

As those in the chamber business know, there are many different professionals and leaders with different agendas, perspectives, and experience that sit around a boardroom table leading chambers of commerce.  Some are entrepreneurs and small business owners; others are executives for large companies, bankers, insurance brokers, and public officials, etc. How can you successfully propose innovation (which really means change) to such a group?

Recently, I proposed a dramatic and innovative change to our dues structure that would increase revenue by increasing value to our members.  My approach was simple. Knowing that this would effect those in the room and knowing that each board member was unique, I focused on what we all had in common in that room: our mission statement.  We all put aside our agendas to align my proposal to the goals and mission of the chamber represented. Within that framework, I was able to present and unanimously pass a new tiered dues structure that, 9 months later, secured over $113K in new revenue and provided a crucial platform for further growth with One Southern Indiana. Read more

Innovative ideas.  Innovative implementation.