Recently I’ve been reflecting on the ties that bind our business community in New Zealand. These ties include the different groups that businesses can belong to. As a member of both the Chamber of Commerce and BNI New Zealand, I see the value of belonging to both organisations. I am the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Northland and have been a member of BNI Whangarei for six years. Belonging to both organisations has strengthened my own business while building the business community in the north.
Tony Collins, CEO New Zealand Chambers of Commerce Northland.
I would like to emphasize that each business community is unique so what works here in Northland may not work somewhere else, and that the important element is probably not so much about organisations as about the end goal of creating business success. The individual business needs to understand their own business community and identify what support is relevant to them and also how they can also provide support and enable others in the business community also to succeed. As a membership organisation it is also important to understand the nature of your own members, their interests and needs and how you can provide relevance and value to them.
Often people view business organisations (and businesses) as competing with each other. Of course there is an element of competition in business but there can also be a reciprocal relationship where organisations support and complement each other. This is the case with BNI and the Chamber of Commerce. These organisations are not competing with each other and joining them is not an either/or proposition. They are all part of a wider suite of tools that contribute to building a successful business. It should not be a case or either or but rather what’s best for you as an individual and in many cases particularly for small businesses this may be membership of both organisations.
The Chamber of Commerce has an advocacy role. Our mission is to inspire and influence business vitality. We do this by positively influencing the environment in which businesses operate and by providing “opportunities, products and services” that will improve the success and vitality of business. NZ Chambers of Commerce Northland will contribute to the continuous progress and success of its members by:
- Assisting members to achieve maximum success, and;
- Encouraging and assisting members to measurably and continuously improve efficiency and effectiveness to produce long-term profit and positive societal consequences as measured by internationally recognised performance indicators.
People new to business often feel that the Chamber is out of their reach, but this is simply not the case. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Northland (Inc) is a non-political, non-profit organisation which represents the full spectrum of business interests, both small and large, in Northland – retailing, service, manufacturing exporters, importers and other organisations. Formed in 1902, the Chamber is one of 20,000 Chambers worldwide, and 29 in New Zealand. The Chamber is governed by an elected President and Board of Directors, supported by skilled and professional staff.
BNI New Zealand, on the other hand, is solely a networking organisation devoted to building businesses. BNI provides a positive, supportive, and structured environment for the development and exchange of quality business referrals. It does so by helping you build personal relationships with dozens of other qualified business professionals.
Last year, members of BNI locally passed referrals that generated millions of dollars of business for each other. Belonging to BNI is like having dozens of salespeople representing your business, and in return you are representing their businesses. What goes around comes around. If I help you, you’ll help me and we will both benefit as a result.
When I took on the role at the Chamber, half of the board members were on BNI chapters and we are still well represented at BNI. Board members are active across the business community and belonging to BNI is an excellent way to get a feeling for how the business community in the north is doing. The complementary nature of BNI and the Chamber means belonging to both groups offers a wider suite of solutions to help businesses be successful. The crossover between the two organisations leads to complementary benefits.
As well as being an advocate, the Chamber helps mentor businesses through such things as the Business Excellence Awards (which we organise). These happen throughout the country and BNI members are excellent candidates for the awards because they are proactively looking to grow. Business Excellence Awards run regionally and are a great opportunity for businesses, – small, medium and large – to receive recognition for their achievements and celebrate their contribution to the regional business environment.
BNI and the Chamber both emphasise the community over the individual and I highly recommend belonging to both organisations. For me having a relationship with the two organisations has greatly enriched my business and the community in which I live.
Tony Collins, CEO, New Zealand Chambers of Commerce Northland, member BNI Whangarei
