Showing posts with label hedgehog theory. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hedgehog theory. Show all posts

Killing Sacred Cows - Just do it!

How many of you are still doing the same programs, year after year, and you don't know why or you've been told we've always done them?

Are they well attended?

Are you making money?

If not, let's kick those programs to the curb. For a blog post talking about program based budgeting go HERE.

Are you loading all costs towards your program? In other words are you counting the:

  • Staff costs;
  • Marketing costs (printing, postage); and
  • Food and beverage costs or meeting space fees in your final calculation?

...or are you just comparing the receipts at the door (registration fees) vs. food and beverage and room rental at the venue?

Do the full arithmetic and if it's not making money -- kick it to the curb!

Remember, we can't be running chambers that lose money.

We need to run our chambers like a business and run it in the black. Identify your core programs and make them better.

For a blog post on the Hedgehog Theory go HERE.

The theory suggests you should focus on:

  • What you have passion for;
  • What you do best or can be the best in; and
  • Where you make money.

Where those three meet are the programs you should be doing.

Now that's a recipe for success!

How to Stay Ahead of the Competition

With over 7,000 local, regional and state chambers of commerce in this country, you need to look no farther than the next community for your competition.

That’s right!

The next town, county, region, are all fighting (marketing) for the same small businesses to become members of their organization!

Now that we can agree that competition is all around us.  What are you doing to stand out amongst the crowded field?

I’m reminded of the Hedgehog theory put forth in Jim Collin’s book, Good to Great.  The three items I took from the Hedgehog theory are:

  • What do you have passion for?
  • What are you the best at or can you be the best at?
  • Where do you make money?

This is just another way of focusing on your brand.  What do you want to be known for?

  • Advocacy
  • Education
  • Economic Development
  • Networking
  • Ribbon Cutting
  • Other

Remember, you can’t be all things to all people.

Focus on the important stuff identified by your board – and then execute that program of work.