The collective benefits of Business Associations

"Great things in business are never done by one person; they're done by a team of people” - Steve Jobs

Let's start

Recently, I had the opportunity to be in many events as a sponsor, participant, consultant, moderator, etc.… Last week, we had the pleasure of assisting and sponsoring one of the industry's most important events in Jacksonville, related to my career, Logistics. It was a great, well-organized event, with many people and great topics (I love the warehouse's real state updates). I am meditating about this event, the past ones I participated in, and the next one. I will be a moderator again at the end of the month. I am thankful to be invited to other events to be a panelist for international business or a participant (not confirmed yet due to my complex agenda); I decided to write something about this critical topic.

Without a clear plan or strategy, the waves of life made me surf to a glassy area of a collective effort to help and create the future (surfing expressions). The opportunity to be part of many collective initiatives and groups gave me an enriching experience as an individual and in my professional life. Long ago, I concluded that participating in various associations and groups, in any role, is more important than many people may think. That is why I decided to sit down, share a small part of my experience, and explain why this topic to help others is essential in our complex business environment. The new norm is that the future is uncertain with variables due to external factors with a resilient base.

F=P+(α?V)?R

• F represents the future state or outcome.
• P represents the predictable approach or baseline expectation.
• α is a coefficient that represents the magnitude of the impact of external variables on the predictable approach; this may vary depending on the nature and scale of the external factors.
• V represents the variable introduced by external factors.
• R represents the resilience factor, which adjusts how the system responds to external changes.I know this looks complex, but it is simpler than that; the challenge is to accept this new business formula (I created this formula to help me understand our current business reality and share it - you do not need to use it).

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One more thing before jumping into the main topic,

Time restrictions are one of our biggest challenges; today, we do more with less, and our time is full of other responsibilities. Family, self-care, daily job, education, responsibilities, personal passions and/or hobbies, etc., restrict our time in many ways. The key is how we organize our time, focus, and eliminate things that are not constructive on the personal and business levels. For me, family is first, learning, health, duties, and then the rest in whatever order you feel is correct; due to the fact I do not believe in absolutes and life is about variables, that is why I listen, read other people experience to learn, making sure follows my passion and reality. My role demands a lot of experience, learning, patience, and time with a clear mindset. It is a lonely place with too many external and internal variables, an extreme mind rollercoaster. I will share more about this topic in the future because life is a non-stop book. Today, after meditating and thinking about conversations with friends and colleagues, I decided to share my vision regarding being part of different forums, groups, and associations based on my past, present, experience, and future goals.

A little bit of history,

Since a young age, I started to participate in meetings, forums, committees, boards, etc.… the reason behind that is my love to learn, network, and give back. My active participation got more active about 25 years ago; suddenly, without any plans, I had the opportunity at a young age to be part of an international business trip with the private sector groups and government officials who invited me to be part of their team. The number of friends and colleagues and the experience are priceless. The funny part, now reflecting on these past experiences, is that the hunger to serve is not just on the business side; for example, past active member of the International Surfing Association in PR, Stand Up Paddle Group, Music events, and rock bands ("the scene"), different governors committees (PR), Logistics teams in various countries, and many business groups in the USA, PR, DR, and many other countries (there is more). Three decades of many amazing stories, but today, I want to focus on the actual message: be part of the "WE" that will benefit the "others" and, in the end, help the "I."

I=f (W→O→I)

• W represents the collective action or effort by the group "WE."
• O represents the benefits accrued to "others" because of W.
• I represent the individual who is part of "WE" and how they ultimately benefit from the cycle of giving and receiving.

In essence, this formula suggests that individual gain (I) is a function (f) of the cycle initiated by collective effort (W) that benefits others (O), which then circles back to benefit the individual (I).

Why formulas? I want to provide you with the tools that can structure our reality in many ways, and I am having fun doing this. ??

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Our reality,

How do I get time to do this? Life is about discipline and being organized, and we are living in a world of distractions, including social media, the massive amount of information, and entertainment. I am guilty of this; it is not easy to get focused due to this. Remember the formula above: the "I" is not the first step; the foundation is the "WE.". For example, I do not have time to be everywhere, all the time in so many countries, but I promote and push many other leaders to be active members in all these organizations. This strategy may include co-workers, external friends, and even business colleagues of different companies I coach to be part of this fantastic experience. This strategy helps me to be part of everything, without the "I," but is a way to support our communities without me due to my time limitations.

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The main topic (the associations or groups below are just examples of many more excellent groups),

I genuinely believe that being part of business associations, groups, forums, teams, etc., will provide endless benefits to you and your organization. However, remember to focus on the "WE," not the "I," to avoid missing the point. I have here some things that will benefit you to be part of the "WE":

• Networking Opportunities: Joining business associations opens doors to a vast network of industry leaders, potential clients, and partners. It facilitates connections that could lead to new business opportunities, collaborations, or valuable insights into the most critical thing: market trends. Some people think that isolation is the best way to be focused. It might be ideal, but in a society, it is essential to have our foot in the ground with the reality that changes daily. JAX Chamber is an excellent example of a local group with a membership of many industries oriented to business networking. Many countries and cities have their own version of the Chamber of Commerce.
• Market Insight and Intelligence: Business associations often have access to rich, localized market research and insights. Being a member can provide you with crucial information about market trends, regulatory changes, and competitive analysis, which is essential for making informed decisions and staying ahead in the market. Propeller Club - Port of Jacksonville - this organization is an excellent example of this topic for companies related to services like the one I work with Logistics. They are located in many cities around the USA.
• Influence and Advocacy: Associations often advocate on behalf of their members with local governments and regulatory bodies. Being part of these associations gives your business a voice in critical discussions that could affect your operations, such as trade regulations, tariffs, and logistics policies. One of the most satisfactory accomplishments is knowing that you helped create better and updated regulations that benefit your communities, company, and future generations. Clúster Logístico República Dominicana , Asociación Dominicana de Agentes de Carga Aérea y Marítima (ADACAM) and Asociación Dominicana de Zonas Francas (ADOZONA) are a good examples of well organized national organizations with a clear goal to increase the business for their country (DR).
• Educational Resources and Training: Continuous learning and development are crucial to maintaining a competitive edge. Business associations offer workshops, seminars, and training sessions that can enhance the skills of your workforce and keep your team updated on the latest industry practices and technologies. I am a technologist person, and I thought that I was at the top of the new trends, including AI, BI, etc.… last week, in a simple meeting of one organization (a lunch), I learned in one hour so many cutting-edge things that I loved it. Transportation Club of Jacksonville - This local group, have a concentration of transportation members with great topics, including inovation and technology related to our industry.
• Reputation and Credibility: Membership in respected business associations can enhance your company's reputation and credibility. It signals to clients, partners, and competitors that you are a committed and reliable player in the industry, adhering to best practices and actively contributing to the sector's growth. Asociación de Industriales de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Manufacturing Association) is one of the influential and respectful associations in PR - their focus is to promote the manufacturing industry. Their reputation is well known all over the USA and LATAM.
• Cultural Competence: Understanding and respecting cultural distinctions and focusing on personalized customer service is crucial for a company with multicultural employees. Being part of associations in multiple countries and locations can provide insights into cultural expectations and business etiquette, enhancing your ability to serve diverse markets effectively. Caribbean Shipping Association - This association is very active, and its annual event showcases influential speakers who share their views of the industry in their region.
• Operational Efficiency: By leveraging the collective knowledge and resources of these associations, your company can optimize operations, reduce costs, and enhance service delivery. This topic is particularly beneficial in logistics, where efficiency and new trends are vital to maintaining your position in the market. District Export Council - This group is one of the most important ones in the USA, with chapters all over the country and in all territories. They promote exports from the USA to the world, and the difference is their link with the USA Department of Commerce / The USA International Trade Administration. Any person related to the supply chain can be part of this great team.
• Global Expansion Support: Business associations can be invaluable to expand into new markets. They can provide guidance, local contacts, and support services to help you navigate the complexities of setting up operations in a foreign country. WCAworld - This private group is the most prominent worldwide association of forwarders with a solid, respectful team, one of the best networking groups in the logistics industry.
• Other leadership groups: In many countries, there are many organized and disciplined organizations focused on different realities, roles, and industries. Parliamentary rules help in today's challenging times; many other organizations focus on self-development, sharing experiences, and education. Vistage Worldwide, Inc. - is one example of a high-level organization to provide educational coaching for executives; there are many other organizations for all levels, skills and positions.

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Note: If you want information about these associations and others, please get in touch with them or me for more details. I am part of some of these groups (not all) and/or know about their services (I do not work for them or get any personal benefit).

Conclusion,

Thanks to many years of working with groups in many countries, I am clear that being part of collective efforts through professional groups as an essential part of your strategic investment will benefit your personal development and enhance innovation and competitiveness. The modern business landscape requires integrated strategies tailored to the unique realities of market trends, geopolitics, and internal and external variables. I have witnessed great companies urgently needing to embrace strategies aligned with the market reality, market culture, and more. At the same time, each company's Leadership needs to understand the value of these organizations. A clear understanding and support (not just financially) will allow their team to embrace this opportunity fully. Through open-minded Leadership, the efforts in such groups can be efficient, ensuring that participation translates into tangible benefits for both the individuals involved and the organization. Remember the goal is the "WE" and not the "I," even if that requires delegating to others the "WE"….

Sheryl Sandberg, a New York Times bestselling author, is credited with saying, "Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence."

This sentiment highlights the critical importance of leaders in fostering an environment where engagement with professional groups is encouraged and strategically aligned with the organization's goals. For example, I have over a dozen leaders in many organizations globally; I feel proud to be one of the many leaders in the organization I represent, supporting these groups to benefit each market community and our company, something I sponsor as a leader; that is why, even my competitors are friends.

Another essential item that gets confused with many leaders is that navigating the complexities of professional dynamics can be challenging, mainly when it involves understanding that having an ego isn't inherently harmful. Again, there is nothing to be scared. I know some have the challenge of understanding there is a risk to having your team members move to other companies thanks to their network; we need to remember that it is part of being in capitalist freedom, and it is on us to manage this situation professionally and in a balanced way. Ultimately, their success is your success as a teacher, leader, and mentor, and as part of a society, we need to allow their participation, knowing the risk. For example, I have been in many meetings where I see some ex-employees; I receive them with a big smile, a hug, and positive vibes because life is too short to hold yourself back from variables we cannot control.

John Maxwell?has said, "A leader is great, not because of his or her power, but because of his or her ability to empower others".

I always remind my friends and business colleagues that we are humans, and recognizing the efforts and success of individuals is not an ego trip or opening the door for other risks; of course, it is your duty to be alert, recognize their success, if not, another person will do it sooner or later. We can debate the altruism part of this human behavior, but I wanted to mention this topic in this article because I know it is one of the topics that some people said to me in the past. Another example is how we make non-harmful friendly names to some of these organizations, some times a few people may call some members with nicknames like: "the major", "usual suspects", "the rice and beans", etc… (this means they are everywhere). This nickname shows how much effort some individuals spend on this group to benefit the community and themselves. Of course, I am not a fan of the ones who always need to say something regardless of their comments having zero content. I am pragmatic and sometimes stoic with my topics but have limited patience in wasting my time. Usually, many organizations and members know how I push to move fast to avoid spending our precious time with opinions with no material or action. The president of the association PRMA says: "Is it an opinion or a motion?"

Yuval Noah Harari's book: Sapiens (BTW, great book), explores the human history and psychological behavior from our animal nature, which may involve how topics related to ego behaviors, in my opinion, among other factors, played a crucial role in shaping societies. I invite you to read it to understand some basic principles of human behavior that look like part of our DNA. This information will help you to understand that shared beliefs and collective narratives are essential in overcoming personal limitations and fostering cooperation.

At the same time, you need to have a natural feeling to give; if your only goal is to expand your networking, make sales, and earn money immediately, the results will often be negative. That is why you see members who get into these associations; some are very vocal and disappear after a few meetings or events. At the same time, if you focus on learning and helping others and the organization with passion, the positive results of exceptional, long-lasting networking, more sales, and money will happen by default.

Remember, you do not need to be in all associations or spend tons of money to be part of this; carefully review which group aligns with your passion and needs, and explore their meetings; many associations allow you to participate in the forums (fee) regardless of your membership; this will help you to target the perfect one for you. Also, many of these associations have committees that need people to help and be leaders for collective results. Some only require one hour a month, and the results are more satisfactory than an hour on the golf course, Netflix, or social media. The modern business landscape requires integrated strategies tailored to the unique realities of market trends, geopolitics, and internal and external variables.

This perspective is one of my deepest passions, and it is with hope that I share it with you, inviting you to join in something greater than ourselves. We can achieve far more through collective action and a focus on mutual growth and support than through individual efforts alone. Please feel free to share this article with your friends, employees, and any organization;

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Remember:

Collective efforts are like surfing, which requires individual skill and a collective spirit. It is about paddling together to the surf area, watching each other impact zone, and, in the end, surfing your wave. - JRR

Note: All art was created with AI based on the information and parameters assigned by the author. The author created the article on his personal experience, research, and examples for the reader. The article can be shared or used without completion; provide the author's name/LinkedIn.

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