The
Small Business Association of Michigan has been thinking big on the topic of small business. In the past four years, the advocacy and business services organization has grown its membership by 8,000 members, including 2,5000 new members just last year. The growth in membership, which now stands at 13,000 member businesses across the state, can be attributed to some of SBAMs new membership programs and services.
“If you follow the traditional economic trends, the down years were the toughest for associations,” says Dan Mahoney, VP, Membership and Development for SBAM. “During the tough times we looked the ways we are offering people to connect with us.”
Out of that thinking came two new kinds of alternative membership models. The first is a strategic partnership program, which allows members of 30 local chambers of commerce to join SBAM through their chamber. Another new alternative is a free membership option with limited services.
“The startup community might not be able to afford be a part of our full membership,” says Mahoney, “but that doesn’t mean we don’t want them to have a voice. This is our way of connecting with those businesses that are growing.”
SBAM is growing as an organization as well. They recently hired a new membership engagement coordinator and have take two part time positions to full time in the last year. SBAM also unveiled
a new website last week.