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The Hagerman Group offers construction management, general contracting, design-build, owner’s representative, self-perform, as well as site selection and economic development incentive negation services. This fourth generation, family owned company, was founded in 1908 with Indiana offices located in Fort Wayne and Fishers.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Finding value in professional organizations

 Often I am asked about the value of my membership in professional organizations.  Does involvement in a professional organization provide value to you and to your firm?  In these economic times we all want to be assured that each dollar we invest creates a return on that investment.  Throughout my career I’ve been a member of several professional organizations.   The lesson that I have learned from my participation in these organizations is that the more I participate in an organization the more value I receive from my membership.
One of the professional organizations that I have received great value from is the Society of Marketing Professional Services (SMPS).  I joined SMPS Indiana in the fall of 1999 when I began my career in the A/E/C industry.  On my first day at The Hagerman Group, my supervisor sent me solo to a SMPS meeting.    I was nervous attending as I was new to the industry and knew no one at the meeting.  Also, it was a tour of the NCAA Headquarters and I wore the wrong shoes and did not bring a hard hat. Fortunately, SMPS members are a friendly group.  I was welcomed and introduced to several members.  And someone brought extra hard hats.
As I look back my membership in SMPS, I realize that joining SMPS was one of the smartest decisions of my career. Through my participation in SMPS  Indiana, I’ve built a large network of Marketing and Business Development professionals, attended excellent educational seminars, meet some great friends and have had a great deal of fun.  I have learned a great deal about Business Development and Marketing from some nationally recognized leaders in our industry and in our community.  I have used many of the lessons learned in SMPS meetings in my professional life as well as shared those lessons with my co-workers.
 How was I able to extract so much value from SMPS?  It’s simple; I participated in the organization.  I began attending meetings regularly, served on a committee, and then I joined the board.  After 4 years on the board I became president of the organization.  As a Past President of SMPS Indiana I am extremely proud of the growth our chapter has experienced while continuing to improve the quality of the organization.
If you want to find value in a professional organization, you need to become involved.  Have I received value from my membership in SMPS?  Absolutely!
Vice President of Business Development



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