Trade associations are a big part of business
Austin Business Journal - by Mary Alice Piasecki Special To The Austin Business Journal
It only makes sense that the explosion in Austin's high tech industry would cause an explosion in the number and variety of high tech business organizations. But tech professionals are facing the growing challenge of understanding why they should join and how they can find the best fit to enhance their careers.
Representatives from three well-respected organizations - the American Electronics Association, Technical Business Network and Association of Information Technology Professionals - say a good place to begin is to assess your needs and what you hope to gain through your participation.
"I think they [potential members] need to be very clear internally about what their expectations are of the organization," says Sonia St. James, president and CEO of TBN.
Some organizations are designed for individuals, while others require company membership. Some organizations are technology specific, while others seek to serve the larger high tech community. And each organization seems to distinguish itself by offering something unique.
Dick Moeller, chairman of Austin-based VTel Corp. and a partner with SSM Ventures, sits on the boards of the Austin Software Council, Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and AEA. He says a good place to begin gathering information about such associations is the Internet. Organizations often provide information online about their mission, upcoming events and featured speakers.
Andrew Wise, who recently left the AEA to work for Microsoft Corp. in Austin, suggests talking to coworkers and other high tech professionals about organizations. He says to ask about different organizations' reputations and what other members have gained through their participation.
The AEA's membership spans the product and service spectrum, from semiconductor to software companies. Dues are based on a company's revenues. Approximately 50 companies are members in Austin.
Wise says AEA offers its members financial conferences -- both for private and public companies -- various types of insurance, salary surveys, executive training and public policy advocacy on both the state and federal level.
One of the things that impresses Wise about Austin is its cooperative nature. He says local organizations are somewhat unique in the way they often put competition aside and work together.
"For these industries to grow, these organizations should work together," he says.
Wise says the AEA has co-sponsored events with other organizations in the past and will do so in the future, when it makes sense. He also believes it makes sense for companies or individuals to join more than one organization -- and he is not alone.
"I don't think one organization can be everything to every company," St. James says.
Comprised mostly of small and medium-sized rapidly growing companies, the Technical Business Network strives to maintain a basic membership ratio of 70 percent technology companies and 30 percent service-related companies.
St. James says many organizations do not limit the number of service providers that can join. But if an organization does not set such limits, St. James says, it can end up being mostly comprised of people from service-related companies seeking to gain business from technology companies.
St. James describes TBN as an international funnel that connects 1,500 members in 18 states and eight countries.
TBN distinguishes itself by allowing members to allocate their membership fee for programs and services of their choice. St. James says the concept was been very well-received among TBN members, and helps her understand exactly what members find worthwhile.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson helped kick off a recent TBN event -- the ASP/2000 Conference -- which was the first statewide conference to focus exclusively on the emerging application service provider market. The event educated companies about using an ASP business model to better serve their customers and employees.
The Austin chapter of the Association of Information Technology Professionals is comprised of 120 individuals, and 1,400 people subscribe to its monthly electronic newsletter.
"We consider our meetings to be neutral ground for everyone," says Russ Finney, director of information systems for Tokyo Electron America Inc. and 1999 president of the local AITP.
AITP was established in Austin in the 1950s, but Finney says it has reinvented itself to meet the needs of today's fast paced IT professionals.
Latest News |
