This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
This Website Uses Cookies
By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Learn More
This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
SNIPSMag logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
SNIPSMag logo
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Digital Editions
    • Subscribe
    • Submit a photo
    • SNIPS eNewsletter
    • Contractor of the Year
  • SUBMIT
    • Contractor of the Year
  • HOW TO + TIPS
    • Shop Layout
    • Fabrication
    • Spiral Duct
    • How To Webinars
  • STEEL REPORTS
  • PRODUCTS
    • Toolbox
  • DIRECTORY
    • Buyers Guide
    • Classifieds
    • Interactive Product Spotlight
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Calendar
    • AEC Buildtech
    • SMACNA
    • Webinars
  • VIDEOS
  • CONTACT
    • Editorial Staff
    • Advertise
    • Clear Seas Research
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Partners
    • Store
    • List Rental
    • Reprints
Home » Blogs » Snips Blog » Recession-Busting Strategies - Part 3: Four Business Groups That Help Construction Pros Succeed
Tim Fausch is publishing director of BNP Media’s Architecture, Engineering & Construction and Mechanical Systems Groups, a collection of more than 20 trade magazines, Web sites and e-newsletters. Just don't ask him to use any actual tools.

Recession-Busting Strategies - Part 3: Four Business Groups That Help Construction Pros Succeed

May 5, 2009
Tim Fausch
One Comment
Reprints


Despite the construction downturn, now might be the best time to join a professional association or organization. Doing so might provide you with marketing advantages that your competitors won’t have.

Clear Seas Research* has been polling our Building Materials Panel, a cross-section of construction pros who frequent BNP Media publications, e-Newsletters and Web sites. We wanted to know what percentage of construction pros are participating in association/organizations. We also wanted to know how such memberships were contributing to the pros’ success.

First, we learned that a whopping 78% of respondent have not joined any business groups in the last 12 months, nor do they intend to in the near term. This was a bit disturbing because associations, marketing groups, buying groups and other organizations can do so much to advance a market and help members.

On the other hand, 22% of our responding panelists have joined Associations (15%), Marketing Groups (4%), Buying Groups (3%) and Other Organizations (6%). (Multiple responses were allowed, which is why those breakout percentages exceed 22%.)

So business group “joiners” are clearly in the minority. Why would just 22% of construction pros join one of these groups?

Our next question provides answers. We asked the panelists to tell us how important these memberships are to the success of their businesses. As you can see by the bar chart, they feel they are getting good to great value.

First, 93% of those who have joined Associations feel their memberships are Somewhat Important to Very Important to their company’s success. An impressive 40% selected Very Important, the strongest response option.

Next, 66% of respondents said their memberships in Other Organizations (typically smaller/local groups) are Somewhat Important to Very Important.

Next, 54% indicated their membership in Marketing Groups contributed to their business success.

Lastly, 41% said their membership in Buying Groups contributed to their success. However, a surprising 40% also said Buying Groups were Not Important At All (weakest response category) to their business success.

It’s no secret that most business associations and organizations have struggled to grow their memberships, especially those that have been battered by the construction downturn. Even so, I would have thought more than 22% of construction pros belong to at least one business group.

Ironically, those who do belong give strong props to these groups, especially professional associations. Let’s look at some reasons the respondents gave for joining groups.
  • Networking/gaining contacts
  • Better exposure/recognition; serves as a temporary Web site until I get mine up
  • Better grass-roots feel to networking and local connection to people
  • Business organization & image presentation (training employees)
  • Exposure to our customers and learning information about the industry
  • Finding techs, buying vehicles at a better price, getting discounts on gasoline
  • Given us more exposure to realtors and the foreclosure business
  • Giving us some free advertising and marketing
  • Higher search engine ranking, more targeted and efficient advertising
  • I can make a more informed presentation to the customer and speak with more confidence
  • Increased our market share
  • Increased employee specialization and certification in green building practices
  • Increased exposure to our services through word of mouth and networking events
  • Now we are growing faster
  • Promoting the business, supporting the community and local events, not just a rookie, hoping to look professional and well educated in the field we specialize
  • Provided industry requirements, training, interaction
To summarize, the four marketing techniques respondents said most contribute to their companies’ success are:
  • Associations (93%)
  • Other Organizations (66%)
  • Marketing Groups (54%)
  • Buying Groups (41%)
With 78% of your competitors NOT joining business groups, you’ll have a distinct--possibly exclusive--advantage if you do. But joining a business group works only if you engage, so make sure you participate in the group’s activities and opportunities.

Next blog - Part 4: Four Incentives That Improve Employee Productivity and Sales

*To obtain a copy of the survey results, contact Kelly Clinton at clintonk@clearseasresearch. Results from this study are copyright @ 2009 by Clear Seas Research. All rights reserved.

Blog Topics

Michael McConnell

Emma Klug

Al Levi

James J. Siegel

Kori Winters

Guest Columns

Audrey LaForest

Jack Pennuto Jr.

Lauren Tucci-Howey

Recent Comments

Lululemon Athletica has recalled 17 percent of its...

Ventilation. Moisture is your bathroom’s greatest enemy. Mold...

There is also a common misconception that air...

There is also a common misconception that air...

A collaboration with the bank may be difficult,...

Tim Fausch is publishing director of BNP Media’s Architecture, Engineering & Construction and Mechanical Systems Groups, a collection of more than 20 trade magazines, Web sites and e-newsletters. Just don't ask him to use any actual tools.
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscribe For Free!
  • Print Edition Subscriptions
  • Digital Edition Subscriptions
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Mobile App

More Videos

Popular Stories

Kevin Gill is SNIPS Sheet Metal Contractor of the Year

Introducing Our 2019 Sheet Metal Contractor of the Year

Sheet metal worker Lisa Davis

Portland sheet metal worker earns national position

Sheet metal and HVAC industry forecast

The 2020 sheet metal industry forecast you need to read

apex corporation duct design

A duct layout design in Boston requires a 9'x 9' high grease exhaust

McCusker-Gill 2019 SNIPS Contractor of the Year

SNIPS' 2019 Sheet Metal Fabrication Contractor of the Year: McCusker-Gill Inc.

SNIPS Steel Reports

Events

December 30, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Products

HVAC Duct Construction Standards - Metal and Flexible

HVAC Duct Construction Standards - Metal and Flexible

See More Products
SNIPS Classified

SNIPS

SNIPS December 2019

2019 December

Check out the December 2019 edition of SNIPS: 2019 Contractor of the Year, the state of the industry report, Industry Icon Vic Petrossian, metal roofing and much more!
View More Create Account
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Digital Editions
    • Submissions
    • Latest News
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
  • HOW TO + TIPS
    • Shop Layout
    • Spiral Duct
  • ABOUT SNIPS
    • Contact Us
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Media Kit
    • Industry Research
    • Mechanical Group
    • Survey and Sample
    • Privacy Policy

Copyright ©2019. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing