Powering Business Potential

Best practice of chambers provides united lobby group

Some in the small business community ask: how strong are the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) and associated chambers? Well, a meeting on the Sunshine Coast recently summed up what we have to offer and why the chamber movement is more than just business lunches, back-slapping and networking events. The inaugural Chamber Best Practice Forum held in Noosa in July has set the platform for more collaboration between small businesses across Queensland. Hosted by CCIQ Noosa, with support from the state body (CCIQ), the meeting of eight of Queensland’s most progressive chambers was a huge success. The chambers in attendance were from Noosa, Maroochydore, Caloundra, Mackay, Brisbane Bayside, North Lakes, Fortitude Valley and Toowoomba. The types of chambers involved were varied, from metropolitan or regional, in size and history, and whether accredited or not with CCIQ. They had similar objectives at the forum, such as learning about chamber best practice initiatives which could be complementary and transferred; finding out the most appropriate metrics to measure chamber performance; reaching consensus on a commitment to begin benchmarking chamber performance; and to build a platform for ongoing high-value collaboration between the chambers. The chamber representatives discussed best practice and shared their top initiatives. The ideas identified

for future follow-up included high level advocacy, business mentoring, non-traditional networking, understanding capabilities, and revenue streams.

The chambers discussed the opportunity to leverage CCIQ’s significant advocacy resources, becoming more vocal at a local level, building better relationships with all levels of government, and considering acting as a group on an issue-by-issue basis.

They agreed to continue to help each other at a grassroots level, meet regularly as a group and expand to include more of the other 120 chambers across Queensland.

Personally, I really enjoyed hearing from everyone at the forum and I think we all left with more insight than when we arrived. While local chambers of commerce are not for profit entities, it is essential they are financially viable and are run like a business. Business owners are continually looking for ways to reduce their discretionary spend and competition is fierce so local chambers need to ensure they have a strong value proposition. The forum provided an avenue to review events and programs that have been successful in other locations. Discussing the challenges faced by local chambers was also useful in alleviating the geographical isolation felt by many.

Kimberley Lynch is the Regional Manager for the Sunshine Coast & Wide Bay Area for CCIQ, the peak industry body for businesses in Queensland. We exist to provide a powerful voice for small business and to power our members’ potential through providing access to essential tools, services, information and advice. Not a member? Join now. ca klynch@cciq.com.au // www.cciq.com.au

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