oshkosh chamber tom grogan strategic planning committee march 10 2008 committee brainstorming

Oshkosh Chamber

Tom Grogan

Strategic Planning Committee

March 10 2008Committee

Brainstorming

Membership SurveyOshkosh Chamber of Commerce

Collected - February 6 to March 10, 2008

Tom GroganCenter for Community Partnerships

Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce Strategic Plan & 2008 Program of Work

Vision Statement

The Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce is the foremost voice for the business community. As the area’s leading business association, we actively engage our members and community to be the driving force for community progress. We are an indispensable resource and serve as the community’s business advocate. We collaborate regionally to promote growth in Oshkosh and Northeast Wisconsin, while adhering to the highest standards of professional excellence and integrity.

Mission Statement

The Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce exists to provide leadership and to serve and represent our members so their businesses and our community will prosper.

Over the next years, the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce will meet members’ needs and enhance economic development of the Oshkosh area by focusing on three strategies:

(1) Economic Opportunities through Serving,

(2) Prosperity through Advocacy, and

(3) Leadership and Impact.

(1) First Strategy - Economic Opportunities through Serving

The Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce enhances and leverages the talents and resources of its members to improve economic opportunities. While maintaining and enhancing what currently exists, we will emphasize an entrepreneurial environment. For the Chamber and its member businesses, the network of members is more than just a product of the association’s efforts. This Network is the association. Learning, information exchange, professional image, personal opportunity and even product offerings are all launched from the existence of the Chamber. Therefore, the Chamber’s first strategy must be to create economic opportunities through serving our membership.

(2) Second Strategy - Prosperity through Advocacy

The Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce is an advocate for its broad and diverse member businesses, while creating a climate for growth and success. We help build a stronger community by staying focused and involved in the top business, civic and social priorities. We will be recognized as the leader for business advocacy through representing business and community interests by advancing a pro-business public policy agenda and by involvement in major projects and initiatives. The Chamber will continue the process of leadership development and will reassert its involvement in developing and identifying pro-business candidates for elected office.

(3) Third Strategy - Leadership and Impact

The Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce provides unique opportunities for individuals and businesses to make a difference by connecting them to important community issues. We will promote collaboration on local and regional issues and programs. We will continue to advance regional partnership through the Northeast Wisconsin Chambers Coalition and the New North. The Chamber will create a Business Agenda for Community Prosperity.

Satisfied With Chamber?

34

22.8%

76

51.0%

26

17.4%

9

6.0%

4

2.7%Very

SatisfiedSatisfied Neither

Satisfied nor

Dissatisfied

Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied

N = 149

Skipped Question = 26

74% 9%

Comments Relating to Satisfaction

• Benefits of membership not always clear or felt

• Provide more help to small business

• Improve political effectiveness

• Goals vague – saving downtown

• Good leadership• More cheerleading for

Oshkosh

• Lack of follow-through• Organization may not

represent community interests

• Chamber does an excellent job

• Benefits of membership unclear

• Appreciate support for Education in Leadership luncheons

Most Important - Draft

• Governmental Affairs – Legislative Alerts

• Business After Hours – Networking Opportunities

• Economic Development• Health Insurance• Leadership Development

CommitteeBrainstorming

Least Important - Draft

• Group Discounts• Business Expo• International Trade• Workforce Development• OAEDC


Ever Recommend Membership?

• Yes – Frequently – 23 (13.2%)• Yes – Occasionally – 45 (25.9%)• Yes – One or two times – 52 (29.9%)

• No – 50 (28.7%)• Does not apply – 4 (2.3%)

N = 175 (1 did not respond)

Yes69%

Rationale for Recommendation to Others

• Networking opportunities• Business After Hours• Group Buying Programs• Health Insurance• Community Cohesion• Business Promotion• Educational Programs• Community Involvement

• To provide support and assistance to start-ups

• Builds community connections

• Business voice for community issues

Reasons for Not Recommending Chamber

• Opportunity hasn’t arisen

• No reason – haven’t thought about it

• Most contacts are already members

• Chamber membership didn’t or hasn’t return value for me

• Chamber not responsive to input

• Don’t know benefits• Chamber seems to

support large business

• Membership is expensive

Prioritization of Programs/Services

1. Business & Industrial Expansion

2. Economic Development3. Governmental Affairs4. Leadership Training5. Downtown Development5. Political Education

7. Health Care8. Career

Education / Vocational Training

9. Land Use – Planning & Zoning

10.Environmental Quality

11.Seminars Workshops & Training

High Priority Medium Priority


Prioritization of Programs/Services

12.Small Business

13.Member Services

14.Energy

15.Transportation

16.Research

17.International Trade

18.Cultural Resources

Lower Priority Lowest Priority

Comments

Transportation Issues are Important– Pedestrian & Bicycle

Expand Leadership Oshkosh?

Improve Relations with City CouncilCommittee

Brainstorming

Relative Satisfaction by Program/Service

N = 145; Skipped question = 30

Very Satisfied

Satisfied Neutral Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied

N/A

Business After Hours

39 – 27% 66 – 45% 18 1 0 20 – 14%

Seminars 22 – 15% 67 – 46% 21 3 0 27 – 19%

Fluorescent Tube Recycling

8 24 19 0 0 86 – 59%

Office Supply Rebate

4 12 22 0 0 99 – 68%

NTD Local LD Phone

10 19 21 4 3 80 – 55%

Group Health Ins.

7 13 22 5 3 86 – 59%

Business Insurance

5 5 24 2 1 102 – 70%

Cellcom Plan

2 6 28 0 0 102 – 70%

NationJob 4 5 29 0 2 96 – 66%

105 -72%

89 - 61%

37 total respondents – 26% of total







~12-20%

Key Points1. Members responding

neutral reasonably constant (12-20%)

2. Business After Hours – very satisfying

3. Seminars – very satisfying

4. Participation levels for other programs drop 55-70% not responding

5. Two areas of concern – dissatisfaction – NTD Phone and Health Insurance

Program Comments

• Ensure adequate parking at events

• Some benefit plans are unclear

• Needs of large business typically not addressed through Chamber membership

• Health insurance plan poses problems for many

• More help for small businesses

• Economic summit was excellent – more programs like this

• Seminar program for sales

• Support for education is crucial

• More attention to downtown, culture, career education

More comments - Programs

• Ninth Avenue development opportunities

• Must change the perceptions of outsiders about what Oshkosh is

• Revisit major plans on an annual basis

• There are major differences of opinion (priority) regarding downtown development efforts

• Oshkosh needs an identity

• Tourism potential needs to be tapped

• Community mindset must change to promote growth

• Limited cultural opportunities

• Riverfront condos• Grocery store downtown

Relative Priority Levels – 10-point scale

1. Business Development – 8.42 pts.2. Economic Development – 8.35 pts.3. Community Marketing / Promotion

– 7.63 pts.4. Small Business Initiatives – 7.36

pts.5. Networking Opportunities – 7.31

pts.6. Workforce Development /

Recruitment – 6.85 pts.7. Downtown Development – 6.63

pts.8. Regional Collaboration – 6.42 pts.

9. Leadership Training – 6.25 pts.10. Career Education / Vocational

Training – 6.24 pts.11. Land Use – Planning / Zoning –

5.99 pts.12. Health Care – 5.96 pts.13. Governmental Affairs – 5.86

pts.14. Environmental Quality – 5.64

pts.15. Cultural Resources – 5.36 pts.16. Political Education / Motivation

– 4.97 pts.17. International Trade – 4.85 pts.

Comments Re Priorities

• Political education must have broader-base discussion• Health care costs must be reduced – avoid duplication (2

hospitals)• Regional collaboration isn’t worth it• Give higher priority to workforce development• Business recruitment, development and retention can be

more programmatic• Need someone to help identify candidates• Oshkosh can become a destination city• Need to figure out how to improve downtown and

pedestrian-scale activities

Must Do - Draft

• Community Image – Pride – Leadership

• Governmental Affairs – Politics• Economic Development• Downtown Redevelopment


Consider Stopping - Draft

• Business Expo• Mayor’s Breakfast• Extent of Involvement in Oshkosh Area School District

• Waterfest


Do Differently - Draft• Community – Education and Leadership

• Show Value of Membership in Chamber

• Differentiate Oshkosh as a Community

• Review Leadership Oshkosh – Is the program producing political/community leaders?


Actions – Economic Development - Draft

• Combine Efforts – Improve Collaboration

• Recruit new manufacturers and businesses

• Improve Community Image


Actions – Workforce - Draft

• Improve job quality• Recruit and retain workers• Expanded efforts to link business with education


Action – Programs and Services - Draft

• Educational partnerships• Program development


Action – Leadership - Draft

• Political and governmental affairs

• Leadership development• Improve communication with Leadership Oshkosh graduates


Action – Regional Collaboration - Draft

• First, get our own house in order

• Be selective with commitments


High Value Programs – What’s Needed

• Business Promotion efforts – need referrals

• Follow-through on benefits/services

• Networking / advertising• Legal updates• Focus on economic

development• Educational Seminars –

more focus on leadership training

• Reduce health care costs

• Need better insurance plan – improve membership discount programs

• Salary surveys – also include nonprofit sector

• Attract more tourists – work better with EAA

• Continue/expand networking opportunities

• Business recruitment• Economic development

Recommendations

• More visibility/marketing• Small business focus• Showcase member

businesses• Expand Leadership

Oshkosh regionally• Need infusion of new

people/ideas – see what is working in the region

• Return calls

• Revamp Business After Hours

• Turnover in Chamber staff

• Better promotion of Chamber success stories

• Expand off-hour opportunities for members

• Collaboration – regional governments

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS - Draftby September 30, 2008

• Strategic Plan• Building Issues• Collaboration on Economic Development

• Municipal Affairs – city council and city mgr. recruitment

• Downtown Oshkosh


SHORT-RUN PRIORITIES - Draftby March 31, 2009

• Candidates• Leadership• Hotels and Convention• Riverfront Development• Strategic Planning• Demonstrate Value of Chamber Membership

• Regional Leadership roleCommittee

Brainstorming

LONGER-TERM - Draftby September 30, 2009

• Community Image• Downtown revitalization• Convention Center• Forums Responsive to Member Needs• Continue to examine all programs and services provided to members


SOMETIME - Draft3-5 Years Out

• Develop Oshkosh as water-based tourist destination

• New Chamber Building• Development of Highway 21 and 41 corridor

• Strengthen Convention relationships• Integrate university students into community and into Chamber board


oshkosh chamber tom grogan strategic planning committee march 10 2008 committee brainstorming

Documents

business community

business advocacy

business agenda

community prosperity

representing business

oshkosh area

community interests

stronger community