04/2008Nucleus-International.net1 How to differentiate between a "Club of Businessmen" and a "Business Chamber as Service and Lobby Organisation" ? Nucleus-International.net

04/2008Nucleus-International.net2 This depends on the economical environment for the businessmen : When the terms for economical activities are more static –stable macro economical situation (stable conjuncture, low inflation, clear laws) –few innovations in technology and business administration –low pressure from the market to change the products then a "Club of businessmen" can be sufficient and efficient

04/2008Nucleus-International.net3 When the terms for economical activities are more dynamical –instable macro economical situation (instable conjuncture, inflation, frequent changes of laws, globalisation etc.) –permanent many innovations in technology and business administration –high pressure from the market to change the products then only a "Chamber as Service Organisation" can be efficient

04/2008Nucleus-International.net4 What are the characteristics of an chamber as "Club of businessmen" chamber as "Service Organisation" ?

04/2008Nucleus-International.net5 The business chamber as Club of BusinessmenService Organisation Represents a small group / an elite of businessmen –is closed, especially for SMEs –it remains between them- selves; doesn't represent the business community –hinders the creation of new enterprises (more competition bothers) Represents the majority of big, middle and small companies –is open, also for SMEs –maximizes the number of mem- bers and its grade of representation –supports the creation of new companies Stressing the common causes of the businessmen and not the differences

04/2008Nucleus-International.net6 The business chamber as Club of BusinessmenService Organisation Is an organisation of the president –the president alone manages the chamber; he dominates and decides –the opinions and proposals submitted by the chamber to Government and society are the personal ones of the president Is an organisation of the members –the president acts as initiator and moderator of the discussions of the members and its bodies –the opinions and proposals submitted by the chamber to Government and society are those of the members

04/2008Nucleus-International.net7 The business chamber as Club of BusinessmenService Organisation Is very low or not at all professionalisized –the employees think and act subalternly / in a dependent capacity –they don´t know the enterprises of the members –they administrate and act without business spirit Is professionalisized and has qualified staff –the employees develop actively the organisation, they initiate, they create –they know the enterprises of the members –they think and act as entrepreneurs

04/2008Nucleus-International.net8 The business chamber as Club of BusinessmenService Organisation Has in the majority passive members –priority have social activities - to see and to be seen –they don't participate actively in the development of the chamber –they pay (or not) a membership fee Has in the majority active members –priority has the efficiency of the chamber for their companies –they participate actively in the chambers’ development - they request, they propose... –they pay a membership fee and expect an economical return

04/2008Nucleus-International.net9 The business chamber as Club of BusinessmenService Organisation Has only one task: : LOBBY Chamber Has two tasks: LOBBY Service Chamber

04/2008Nucleus-International.net10 The business chamber as Club of BusinessmenService Organisation Is lobbying –without preparation of arguments and strategies –more emotionally, through the "belly" –asking Government for favours" –for the benefit of individual members of the chamber Is lobbying –with professional preparation of facts and arguments –with clearly defined strategies –with concrete / operational proposals: what to do and how to do –with the aim to improve the environment and the industrial location policy for the business community

04/2008Nucleus-International.net11 Goal of the Lobby Activities: Improvement of the conditions for economical activities... Infrastructure Statistics Employees Building sites Taxes FinanceSuppliers Markets Public tenders Industrial location policy SchoolsTraining Business Chamber

04/2008Nucleus-International.net12 Network... by Networking : Communication and Co-operation Schools University Government Banks Training institutions Business chambers Public institutions Big, middle, small companies SME support organisations

04/2008Nucleus-International.net13 Supports members through services, which ease the daily work of the businessmen and assist them in the –Creation –Development –Modernisation and –Expansion of their companies Doesn't support members through services The business chamber as Club of BusinessmenService Organisation A "Club of Businessmen" spends 70% of its means for social activities. A "Business Chamber" invests 70% of its means in services

04/2008Nucleus-International.net14 The Services of a Business Chamber for its Member Companies

04/2008Nucleus-International.net15 The business chamber as Club of BusinessmenService Organisation Is isolated –tries to resolve problems locally An isolated chamber has few impact Is part of a network of chambers –influences together with other chambers and federations the regional and national development

04/2008Nucleus-International.net16 Objective: Improvement of the internal and external performance of the business chamber The development into a "Business Chamber" takes place step by step. Gradually changes: The performance and the behaviour of the participating persons The culture and the climate of the organisation The organisational structure and the communication The goals and strategies

04/2008Nucleus-International.net17 How is the situation in your chamber ?  Representation  Lobby  Leadership  Services  Professionalization  Network  Participation of the members ? Time to reflect : How are the conditions for economic activities in your town, your region, your country? More statical or more dynamical

04/2008Nucleus-International.net18 Nucleus-International.net This file is part of our material to present and illustrate our activities to professional and elected officials of business associations, personnel from technical cooperation projects, and other people with an interest in this field. We are involved in a constant process of elaborating and improving this material, and targeting it to the demands of specific groups. You may use, copy, and change this file as you like (we do not insist on a copyright). We would, however, like to ask you for the following: please send us a copy (as a file or printout) and additional information if you use the file or parts of it. Thank you! The Nucleus-International.net team