By Matt Anderson
Great Lakes Bureau Chief (Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota)
Since most small business owners need to know the same thing, it does seem odd that there aren’t more organizations out there like the American Association of MicroBusinesses.
Based in Minneapolis and founded in 1995, its primary purpose is to offer monthly educational events for the 94.7% of companies in the US – those with 10 employees or less. Common ground topics are generally ‘how to’ presentations rather than motivational in content. They could be anything from legal or accounting needs to last month’s seminar topic: 3 Ways to Recession-Proof Your Business. Annually there is a spring expo and conference, the next one slated for April. The speaker line up for 2008 was an impressive one.
Based in Minneapolis and founded in 1995, its primary purpose is to offer monthly educational events for the 94.7% of companies in the US – those with 10 employees or less. Common ground topics are generally ‘how to’ presentations rather than motivational in content. They could be anything from legal or accounting needs to last month’s seminar topic: 3 Ways to Recession-Proof Your Business. Annually there is a spring expo and conference, the next one slated for April. The speaker line up for 2008 was an impressive one.
The format for meetings does include networking time so that people have opportunities to make contacts to develop beyond the meetings. Multipreneur board member Curtis Stanley describes the membership base as “everything from technology to Tupperware.” Events typically appeal to a wide range of business owners from veterans to those who have not yet even launched.
Business isn’t the only consideration of the AAM. In order to encourage a family-friendly environment, meetings are typically held during the lunch hour so as not to keep already-busy business owners away from their families in the evenings. Also, two fundraisers are held annually that allow for more networking, including a Toys for Tots drive in December.
In addition, the AAM is different from other organizations in a couple of other ways. Firstly, it is run by a board of volunteers who are also small business owners rather than a paid administrative staff (who often are not fully empathic to the true needs of its membership). “We feel we’re more connected,” says current president Bonnie Stanley.
Secondly, the culture of the organization is one of sharing. Group interaction at meetings is designed to help people even from competing companies and industries to share best practices. When I asked how they were able to develop this, Bonnie described it as the “Minnesota Nice: The Mid-Western culture. It’s more trusting and open and people are more willing to collaborate. With a group setting you don’t feel like you’re stealing information.”
If you’re interested in starting your own chapter, the American Association of Microbusinesses does have designs to grow beyond Minnesota (hence its national name). Currently it has over 100 members on its social networking site MeetUp.com at www.smallbiz.meetup.com/760. Board member Curtis Stanley says “This could be used as a vehicle to start other chapters. Otherwise get some people in a room and once you have enough interested, that could lead to starting a board.” The AAM has few expenses and already has bylaws in place.
Membership is currently only $119/year which includes all meetings and a listing in the member directory. In addition there are retail benefits to membership as well as the opportunity to offer your discounts to members. The association website can be found at www.usamicrobiz.org.
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