The Executive's Handbook of Trade and Business Associations: How They Work--And How to Make Them Work Effectively for You

(Hardback)

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This handbook is a comprehensive guide to the different types of business associations: multi-industry umbrella organizations, single-industry trade associations, professional societies, and chambers of commerce. It is written for senior corporate executives and public affairs officers who want to evaluate the effectiveness of trade and business associations to which their companies belong and to optimize the benefits of participation to achieve corporate objectives, especially in the fields of government relations and economic services. It is also intended for association executives concerned about corporate dues cutbacks who want to help their memberships increase the value of association memberships and to better understand the world of associations. Mack maintains that few firms undertake tost-benefit analyses of their association memberships or take the steps necessary to assure that these organizations meet the company's unique special needs as well as the common interests of the membership at large. He therefore focuses particular attention on techniques designed to help members evaluate and intensify their effectiveness and influence within each of their associations while strengthening the association at the same time. He also examines the environment of association operations: association resources and regulation, the inner workings of association management, and future changes. The book begins with a description of associations as interest groups and their growing importance in the formation of public policy. The author describes non-business interest groups, the types and characteristics of business associations, and the historic development of business organizations in Europe, Japan, and the U.S. In Part II, Mack focuses on techniques to evaluate associations and introduces the Effective Membership Process by which individual members can enhance their influence. The third section explains association resources including membership; finance, planning, and budgeting; governance and policymaking; regulation and taxation of associations; and the roles of the staff. Part IV analyzes the nature of national, international, and state and local associations, comparing their similarities and differences. Illustrative profiles of eight widely varying associations are included in this section. Finally, the book offers an analysis of the attitudes of corporate and individual members towards their associations. Based on the conclusions drawn from this analysis, the author sets down a concrete set of recommendations for strengthening the effectiveness of these organizations to meet the new challenges of the rapidly changing business environment and global economy. A detailed appendix describing how to start a new association completes the handbook.

Reviews

.,."Especially valuable to senior corporate executives and public affairs officers who want to maximize the benefits from the associations to which their companies belong...nothing is more valuable than the section which provides specific, step-by-step, hard-headed guidance on how they canevaluate their association(s)--and implement a program to get more "bang for the buck.""-Raymond L. Hoewing President Public Affairs Council
"Anyone involved with an association should benefit from this essential guide to the anatomy and life of business organizations. Charles Mack's long and intense experience in the complex world of associations shows up on practically every page of this handbook."-Dr. Alan Rosenthal Director, Eagleton Institute of Politics Rutgers University
"I am confident that you will find this book well worth careful study and use."-R. William Taylor, CAE President American Society of Association Executives
"Mr. Mack has translated this complex subject in a way that can serve not only business executives, but the American public itself."-Richard L. Lesher, President Chamber of Commerce of the United States
The new book is a highly useful guide to the different types of business associations, multi-industry 'umbrella' organizations, single-industry trade associations, professional societies, and chambers of commerce. It's targeted at senior corporate executives and PAOs who want to evaluate the effectiveness of trade and business associations to which their companies belong and to get the most out of them for their programs.-Impact
Written for corporate executives, public affairs officers, and association executives, this guide focuses on the functions and effectiveness of various types of business associations. Its purpose is to assist corporate management in evaluating the benefits and participation levels of association memberships. Mack discusses the development of business organizations in Europe, Japan, and the U.S. and describes such types of associations as multi-industry "umberlla' organizations, single-industry trade associations, professional societies, and chambers of commerce. He also examines association operations (including resources and regulation) and association management and identifies future trends. He outlines techniques to evaluate associations and shows how indiviudal members can develop their influence in an association. An appendix describes how to start a new association.-Business Information Alert
"The new book is a highly useful guide to the different types of business associations, multi-industry 'umbrella' organizations, single-industry trade associations, professional societies, and chambers of commerce. It's targeted at senior corporate executives and PAOs who want to evaluate the effectiveness of trade and business associations to which their companies belong and to get the most out of them for their programs."-Impact
"Written for corporate executives, public affairs officers, and association executives, this guide focuses on the functions and effectiveness of various types of business associations. Its purpose is to assist corporate management in evaluating the benefits and participation levels of association memberships. Mack discusses the development of business organizations in Europe, Japan, and the U.S. and describes such types of associations as multi-industry "umberlla' organizations, single-industry trade associations, professional societies, and chambers of commerce. He also examines association operations (including resources and regulation) and association management and identifies future trends. He outlines techniques to evaluate associations and shows how indiviudal members can develop their influence in an association. An appendix describes how to start a new association."-Business Information Alert

Author Bio

CHARLES S. MACK is a management consultant, writer and public speaker on government relations and trade and business associations. He was previously President and CEO of the New York State Food Merchants Association, Director of Public Government Affairs for CPC International Inc., and a staff executive with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. His previous book, Lobbying and Government Relations: A Guide for Executives, was published by Quorum in 1989.