When you’re looking to run your business as lean as possible, taking a hard look at expenses is the natural thing to do. Annual subscriptions and industry organization dues may seem to be an easily expendable luxury but, in fact, they’re quite the opposite.

We find our clients — in industries ranging from fashion to export to transportation — turn to  these organizations for help that would be difficult and cost prohibitive to secure on their own.  A sampling of the host of valuable memberships includes the California Fashion Assn., the American Trucking Assn., and the American Staffing Assn. (We take our own advice by being active members of the International Factors Assn. and the Commercial Finance Assn.)

These organizations’ reach and influence goes well beyond giving you regular networking opportunities.  Their offerings include:

•   Educational opportunities and ‘best practices’ seminars to round out your skills as a small business owner
•   Data and analysis that can help you make smart decisions about creating the optimum cash flow for your company
•   Aggregating news (often through Facebook or Twitter) so you’re always on top of industry trends and headlines
•   Legislative updates and lobbying so your single voice is represented as one of thousands to the people writing rules and regulations about your industry

They also supply invaluable industry specific information. The California Fashion Assn., for example, addresses global sourcing and export issues and supplies guidelines for labor law compliance – both issues that would be challenging to address as an individual company.

So the next time your bills come due, consider joining your industry’s national organization or renewing that subscription with confidence. Our clients and we agree you won’t regret it.

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