Transforming a Dying Chamber of Commerce: Comprehensive Guide to Revitalization and Growth by Martin Brossman & Dr. Justin Rose

This is a complement to the interview with Pat Howlett and Martin Brossman:
Link to video.

It has actionable strategies inspired by the remarkable turnaround of the 143-year-old Trinidad and Las Animas County Chamber of Commerce in rural Colorado, transforming from near dissolution in October 2023 to financial stability by October 2024. Under the strategic leadership of Pat Howlett and his team, the Chamber cleared its debts, rebuilt trust, and became a regional economic powerhouse. Martin Brossman & Associates offers customized assistants for full implementation. 

The Challenge: Chamber at Risk

• Struggled financially with $88 in the bank and over $55,000 in debt.
• Lost direction due to political involvement and events draining resources.
• Membership dropped from 500 to about 50 active members.

Step 1: Establish Strong Leadership and Clear Vision

• Recruit board members willing to actively engage, not just hold titles.
• Create a mission based explicitly on three pillars:
  1. Member Success
  2. Economic Development
  3. Community Quality of Life
• Eliminate non-essential activities that compete with local businesses.

Step 2: Restore Trust through Accountability

• Transparently address and pay off existing debts.
• Publicly apologize and commit to rectifying past mistakes.
• Demonstrate reliability by fulfilling promises, winning back trust, and former members.

Step 3: Embrace Relationship Marketing

• Prioritize personalized outreach over traditional mass-marketing tactics.
• Empower board members to leverage their personal networks for recruitment.
• Use social media strategically to promote businesses, highlighting local economic activities and success stories.

Step 4: Adopt Regional Collaboration

• Form regional alliances to enhance influence and resource pooling.
• Implement a collaborative “stone soup” model, inviting neighboring chambers and communities to contribute based on their capacity.

Step 5: Advocate with Influence and Purpose

• Utilize the Chamber’s 501(c)(6) status effectively to advocate transparently and powerfully for local businesses.
• As you deepen active support from local businesses, you will have more clout to request accountability and clear plans from local government on policies affecting businesses, such as tax increases or zoning changes. 
• Involve subject-matter experts to strengthen advocacy efforts.

Step 6: Innovate Membership Structures

• Offer flexible, tiered membership models:
  • Free first year for startups.
  • Reduced rates for solopreneurs and retirees.
  • Premium options for sponsors, ensuring clear ROI.
• Clearly articulate tangible financial benefits to membership.

Step 7: Deliver Tangible Value

• Shift membership benefits away from mere directory listings to concrete, measurable business outcomes (e.g., hosting board meetings at member businesses).
• Organize low-cost, high-impact events at local businesses to demonstrate immediate return on membership dues.

Step 8: Empower Chamber Leadership

• Revise bylaws to enhance the authority of the executive director for effective day-to-day operations.
• Ensure board members possess specific expertise and are committed to active participation and accountability.

Step 9: Continuous Skill Development and Training

• Provide structured training in networking, relationship marketing, and AI-powered growth strategies.
• Utilize specialized training from experts like Martin Brossman and Associates LLC, which includes:
  • Structured Networking Workshops
  • Relationship Marketing Training
  • AI Integration and Optimization

Results Achieved

• Complete debt clearance and financial stabilization within a year.
• Significant membership growth and renewed interest from past and new businesses.
• Enhanced regional influence and active participation in shaping local policies.
• Broader community impact, including supporting other chambers during regional crises (e.g., contributions to Asheville Chamber).

Action Items for Immediate Implementation

• Clearly define a focused mission with measurable outcomes.
• Build trust through transparent financial accountability and clear communication.
• Engage board members in active, personal relationship-building outreach.
• Establish regional partnerships for collective economic strength.
• Advocate boldly on behalf of local businesses.
• Offer innovative membership models with clear ROI.
• Empower executive leadership through updated governance structures.
• Invest in professional development and training, leveraging expertise from established resources.

By following this comprehensive roadmap, chambers of commerce can transform into robust, sustainable, and influential economic forces that communities and businesses actively support.

Available Training Resources

• Martin Brossman and Associates LLC:
  • Networking and Relationship Marketing: Workshops that teach how to build strategic referral networks.
  • AI-Powered Growth: Interactive AI coaching tools to refine strategies and clearly define membership benefits.
  • Current books:
    • Relationship Marketing³: The Ground Game for Small Business Success
      https://a.co/d/dumTARE 
    • Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Brick-and-Mortar Businesses : A Practical Guide to Prompts and AI Operations https://a.co/d/12sLDD0 
  • Coming book: “Transforming a Chamber with Relationship Marketing” by Pat Howlett and Martin Brossman—providing proven processes and sustainable strategies.
  • See a complete list of Martin Brossman & Associates LLC’s small business training:
    https://www.ncsmallbusinesstraining.com/core-curriculum-for-small-businesses-by-martin-brossman-and-associates-llc/ 
    
    To schedule a meeting or training with Martin Brossman contact Colleen@MartinBrossman.com or call 919-847-4757 Option #1

The “But and Therefore Rule” of screenwriting from South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker
Compiled by Martin Brossman for his small business training in video, storytelling, and YouTube marketing programs.

The “But and Therefore Rule” of screenwriting, developed by South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, is a technique used to enhance narrative structure and ensure story progression is driven by causality. Instead of using “and then” to connect events, the rule encourages the use of “but” and “therefore” to link story beats, creating a more engaging and dynamic narrative.

Key Points of the “But and Therefore Rule”:

1. Replace “and then” with “but” or “therefore”:
   • Instead of connecting events with “and then,” which can lead to a disjointed and monotonous story, use “but” or “therefore” to introduce conflict and causation.
   • Example:
     • “Jimmy went to the mall, and then he realized he was tired. And then he picked up a coffee. And then he parked in an illegal spot because he was tired.”
     • Revised: “Jimmy went to the mall, but realized he was tired when he stepped inside. Therefore, he picked up a coffee. But since he was tired, he parked in an illegal spot.”
2. Ensure causation between each story beat:
   • Each event in the story should lead logically to the next, driven by the characters’ actions and the situations they encounter.
   • This creates a chain reaction where every scene has a clear cause and effect, maintaining the audience’s interest and investment in the story.
3. Apply to every scene:
   • Every scene should have a clear purpose and function as a standalone piece of the story, contributing to the overall narrative.
   • This approach helps to avoid passive storytelling and keeps the plot lively and engaging.
4. Create tension and momentum:
   • By introducing obstacles (using “but”) and consequences (using “therefore”), the story maintains a sense of urgency and direction.
   • This technique helps to build a compelling and cohesive narrative structure.

Examples in Practice:

• Simple Example:
  • “James goes out for a run, and then it rains, and then he goes swimming, and his ex-girlfriend is there, and then he goes home.”
  • Revised: “James goes out for a run, but it is raining; therefore, he goes swimming. But his ex-girlfriend is at the swimming pool, therefore he hurries home.”
• Famous Literature:
  • In “Romeo and Juliet”:
    • “Romeo and Juliet fall in love, but their families are rivals, therefore they cannot be together.”
  • In “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”:
    • “Harry discovers he is a wizard and goes to Hogwarts, but then learns Voldemort is after him, therefore he must find a way to defeat him.”

The “But and Therefore Rule” is a powerful tool for screenwriters to ensure their stories are engaging, logically coherent, and full of momentum. By focusing on causality and the natural progression of events, writers can create narratives that captivate and maintain the audience’s interest.

See the original video of Matt Stone and Trey Parker explaining the process:

Title: “Mastering Multimodal Customer Communications: A Blueprint for Small Business Success” by Martin Brossman & Dr. Justin Rose

Description:

In the age of digital conversations, effective communication is more crucial than ever. Our course, “Mastering Multimodal Customer Communications,” is tailored for small business owners seeking to refine their interaction strategies across various platforms such as in-person, phone, SMS, social media, and chatbots. This engaging two-hour session will equip you with the tools and insights needed to transform your customer interactions, ensuring you not only meet but exceed the modern consumer’s expectations for personalized and responsive service.

Learning Objectives:

– Understand the Spectrum of Communication Tools: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the different communication mediums available—from traditional phone calls to advanced digital platforms like social media and chatbots—and how to use them effectively.
– Personalized Communication Strategies: Learn to tailor your messaging and responses to fit the unique preferences and expectations of your customers, enhancing engagement and loyalty.
– Real-Time Problem Solving: Develop skills to address and resolve customer concerns promptly and efficiently, using the most appropriate communication channels.
– Build Trust and Loyalty: Implement strategies that foster trust and build long-term relationships with your customers, turning satisfied customers into loyal advocates.
– Leverage Data for Better Interactions: Understand how to use customer data to personalize interactions and predict future communication needs, setting the stage for proactive service.
– Navigating Multimodal Challenges: Tackle the complexities of integrating multiple communication platforms and maintaining a consistent brand voice across all channels.

To schedule this training, contact Colleen, Colleen@MartinBrossman.com or call 919-847-4757 Option #1. Click here to return to the full course listings.