With the holidays in full swing, it’s the time when we think about relationships with our family and friends. It’s also a good time for individuals and organizations to acknowledge relationships with business associates that have allowed them to advance professionally.
We have recently confirmed that developing relationships within NASSCO is very important to our members throughout the year. In fact, networking and building relationships with other individuals in the trenchless industry are the top reasons why contractors, municipalities, engineers, consultants, manufacturers and others join NASSCO.
Strong response
Back in September, through an independent research firm, we launched online surveys of 25 questions, delivered to all NASSCO members in good standing. The high response rates, averaging 20 percent for each group, are a strong indicator that NASSCO members care deeply about the association and the overall growth of the underground construction industry.
We learned a number of interesting things through this research, which we are using as a measurement tool against baseline research conducted back in 2007. For instance, we confirmed that members continue to become involved with NASSCO because of the relationships they develop. Networking is also the main reason these groups renew their NASSCO memberships year after year.
Less obvious are the reasons NASSCO members consider networking so important. At first glance one may assume networking is important because it provides opportunities for members to build relationships to help their businesses grow.
But when we dig a little deeper, we realize that members want to network and be active because they want to be involved in moving our industry forward and performing NASSCO’s mission: to set industry standards for the rehabilitation of underground pipelines and to assure the continued acceptance and growth of trenchless technologies.
Education and training
Members feel their contributions to the industry, coupled with opportunities to network, help to improve awareness of deteriorating underground infrastructure, to emphasize the shortfall in much-needed funding, and to work together to promote the benefits of the trenchless industry as a whole.
Networking was followed closely by education and training as the number two reason why people join NASSCO, and these findings also reinforce our 2007 baseline study. One change in the trend was the increase in members who join in order to participate in NASSCO’s annual meeting each February.
It’s not surprising, because this meeting culminates all of the key benefits of membership in one event, offering two full days of extensive training, education, and the sharing of industry knowledge, with plenty of opportunity for socializing and networking through social events that include our annual golf tournament.
To review the research findings and to learn more about NASSCO’s upcoming annual meeting, please visit www.nassco.org.
Ted DeBoda is executive director of NASSCO. He can be reached at director@nassco.org. NASSCO is located at 11521 Cronridge Drive, Suite J, Owings Mills, Md.
