5 Reasons Why Belonging To An Industry Association is a No-Brainer
The IT industry offers a number of organizations and associations for IT companies and Managed Service Providers to be a part of. Many companies overlook the advantages that belonging to these organizations provides.
1. Peer to Peer Networking – Peer to peer networking is a major part of belonging to an industry association. Some have forums where information is shared and there are usually events where face to face networking provides a chance to discuss industry issues, trends, and topics.
2. Vendor Awareness – Vendor Awareness can be a big advantage for companies looking to separate their businesses from their competition. Many vendors belong to industry associations and association events can be a good way to improve vendor relations as well as provide a foot in the door for personalized interaction.
3. Discounts and Group Buys – Discounts and group buys are another positive influence that associations can bring. Often times the association can leverage their membership to help decrease costs of many items from parts to group insurance, which increases overall revenues.
4. Building a Reputation – Building a reputation in the industry can lead to many new opportunities. Associations provide a voice and allow members to partake in surveys, roundtable discussions, and leadership trainings. By creating and fostering a positive industry reputation companies can see doors open and collaboration beyond the local level.
5. Education – Education is one of the biggest reasons to join an organization. Most provide formal training for leadership and employees,certification opportunities, as well as the potential to lead and become a subject matter expert on many topics.
Most industry organizations have a small fee, but the value provided far outweighs the cost to an IT company. Research the organizations and associations by talking to peers and evaluating the organizations online resources. Once you join, don’t leave it at that. Become a part of the communities and gain a voice in the industry. Take advantage of as many resources as are provided, and make sure to reach out to organization staff to get a better understanding of available benefits.
Frank Gurnee
VP, Channel Services, ExchangeDefender
(877) 546-0316 x4777
frank@ownwebnow.com