Business Zen: Exciting time for chamber of commerce

Russell Bell

It is amazing what you can learn from Google and Wikipedia. Did you know the first chamber of commerce was founded in Marseilles, France in 1599? The concept of having an organisation devoted to furthering commerce in a city or principality is older than many cities and countries, but is proof positive of the ability of collective groups to provide benefit to a community.

Until I joined the chamber board, I watched the activities of the Whanganui Chamber of Commerce from afar. Sure, I went to a few BA5s and attended a couple of business award functions but, for the most part, I was happy to operate and build my business outside the chamber.

The chamber came in for some stick in the past, some justified and some unfair (as most criticism tends to swing between constructive and damaging) -- but that brought a perception which saw me and many of my clients questioning the value of being associated with it.

However, of late, I have been seeing more and more how the chamber can provide positive benefits to local businesses.

These benefits begin with advocacy and extend to such things as training and development opportunities.

This is good news because in these changing times it is important to have such groups to provide support and open up new opportunities. Strategically, the chamber is also moving in the right direction, with a talented and dedicated board and a CEO who is driving positive change.

For me, the opportunity of being a board member is a way that I can further promote the Whanganui business sector but also to play a part in the rejuvenation of the Whanganui Chamber of Commerce itself. That is, to not only restore the chamber to its appropriate status in the community but also to position it as relevant to modern day businesses.

Above all, it is about creating value for members, current and future.

Last year the business awards were re-established, and there is a real enthusiasm for ensuring the relevance of Whanganui businesses in an increasingly digital world. In addition, future training opportunities will be made available and investments will be made to enable the chamber to operate more effectively. The group also supports local business initiatives and groups to foster creativity and networking -- which can only make our community stronger as a result.

So, it is actually an exciting time for the chamber and I am really excited to be a part of it.

And, although it is investing in getting foundations in place, my prediction is that the current and future boards will drive initiatives which will lift local productivity and local reputations. I'm also expecting that the chamber will build on offering its members access to expertise to enable local businesses to better themselves.

If you are interested in joining for the first time, or would like to renew your membership, you are welcome to contact me or any one of the other board members, or you can visit the website on http://whanganuichamber.net.nz