What Can Your Local Chamber of Commerce Do for You?

At the Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce (EMACC), President and Chief Operating Officer Lynda Rose understands what it’s like to be mentored and to mentor others. The Chamber’s purpose is to empower its members to enrich their businesses and the eastern Monmouth area through education, networking and service to the community. One way it does that is by creating connections among a cadre of professionals whether they’re professional service entities, contractors, legislators, accountants, physicians or utilities board members. Rose credits the professionals and volunteers that work with the Chamber for providing her with a business education and notes that their generosity in sharing their knowledge has contributed to her success.

“I applied for a part-time administrative job at the Chamber 23 years ago when the only thing I had going for me was that I was a good typist,” she said. “Since then I have learned so much and if you can think of an industry, I’ve worked with them. I love this job and having access to a wide array of professional resources is one of the benefits.”

Chamber members have the same access to mentors and business professionals that help increase their sphere of influence or add to their own knowledge. Through her affiliation with the Chamber Rose has:

• worked with various accountants and accounting groups and learned the differences between a cash and accrual accounting system and how to become an expert at budget forecasting
• learned about employment and business law and similar to Chamber members, Rose has access to an assortment of attorneys and other legal resources
• increased her marketing savvy by working with communications firms like The Devon Group, and has learned skills such as how to compose a press release and get it published
• gained an understanding of technology developments and issues as well as access to resources for troubleshooting.

Early in her career, work associate Barbara Kiffin helped Rose with everything from learning day-to-day tasks to the diplomatic skills needed to deal with the various representatives in the community.

“I learned from her how to handle volunteers, organizational structure, volunteer management and committee management,” said Rose. “She also helped me gain a much greater understanding of the Chamber’s role in a community and I couldn’t have accomplished anything I have done without the guidance of a mentor.”

Rose advises others in need of business advice or support to seek out their local Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a huge resource and the public is not very much aware of what we offer. Whether it’s somebody trying to get a boost in their career or looking for financial assistance for education, the Chamber of Commerce is here to help.”

Like many people, Rose notes that she doesn’t have life-long mentors, but rather a series of people that have come in and out of her life. Choosing a mentor is something one does several times over the course of their career depending on career level or career path. And, since no one knows everything, continually seeking fresh perspectives can contribute to overall personal growth and development.

Concludes Rose, “Every day I pick up the phone and talk to someone and they bring something into my life that wasn’t there before. I can’t speak highly enough about the people who support me, give their help and point me in the right direction.”