How industry associations, chambers, and federations are beneficial for entrepreneurs.
## #1 Industries and Chambers beneficial for Entrepreneurs
#### 1. Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM)
It is a knowledge bank for Indian industries.
It provides knowledge about information technology.
It also explains how to focus on the growth and development of your business.
It also organizes industry forums wherein you get knowledge about the industry.
ASSOCHAM’s promoter chambers and industry regional chambers and associations are present all over India.
#### 2. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
It helps in making and maintaining favourable environment for the industry.
It acts as a bridge between the government and the industry.
#### 3. Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI)
It is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation.
It is a voice of Indian business and industry.
#### 4. Federation of Indian Export Organisation (FIEO)
It represents our entrepreneurs in the global market.
It provides export-related information.
#### 5. National Association of Software & Service Companies (NASSCOM)
It is an industry association for the IT and BPO sectors.
It is a not-for-profit organisation that funds industry.
Its objective is to build the service sector in India through growth and technology.
#### 6. Ph.D. Chamber of Commerce & Industry
It is a multi-state organisation that works at grassroot level in trade, industry, and entrepreneurship.
It has strong national and international links.
#### 7. SME Chamber of India
It works for the development of SMEs whether they are in manufacturing, services, or allied industry and business.
Various small associations are attached to them like the Start-Ups Council of India.
They are present in every region.
#### 8. Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT)
It works for small businesses and traders.
If you have any problem, then the complete association helps in solving your problem.
#### 9. All India Association of Industries
It promotes entrepreneurship and industrial growth.
It also assists MSMEs and helps them with networking.
#### 10. Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM)
It is a society for automobile manufacturers.
#### 11. Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India
It is also for automobile manufacturers.
#### 12. Cement Manufacturers Association (CMA)
It is for cement manufacturers.
#### 13. Indian Bank Association (IBA)
It is for all the bankers.
#### 14. Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA)
It takes care of the insurance sector.
#### 15. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
It tracks our securities or stock market.
#### 16. Association of Mutual Fund of India (AMFI)
It tells about the rules and regulations associated with mutual funds.
#### 17. Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI)
It talks about all the mobile companies, their tariffs, and regulations.
#### 18. Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI)
It is for the hospitality industry.
It acts as an interface between the hospitality industry and its stakeholders, political leadership, and international association.
#### 19. Indian Electrical and Electronics Manufacturers Association (IEEMA)
It is for the electrical and electronics industry and their manufacturers.
#### 20. Telecom Authority of India (TRAI)
You must have heard about it in the news as it remains in the news for various purposes like 5G, etc.
#### 21. Builders Association of India (BAI)
This association is made for real estate and builders.
#### 22. Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA)
It is for pharma companies.
#### 23. Hotel Association of India (HAI)
It is for hotel chains and their policies are drafted by this association.
#### 24. Indian Chemical Manufacturers Association (ICMA)
It is for chemical manufacturers.
#### 25. Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA)
It is for the benefit of sugar manufacturers.
#### 26. Retailers Association of India (RAI)
It is an association wherein the retailers’ policies are made and their problems are also solved.
Apart from these 26, there are several other associations. These associations also exist at the regional and council levels. They are established for helping you in your business.
## #2 How to search and register in these industry associations?
You can find these industry associations by:
#### 1. Search on Google:
On Google, you can search for associations related to your industry, visit their website, and register yourself.
#### 2. Expert advice:
When you meet big players of your industry, ask them which industry association they follow and they are part of.
#### 3. Industry Handbook:
If your known traders have some industry handbook, then ask them about the associations and after that, fill the membership form.
For registering in these associations, you need to pay a nominal fee, which is quite low and will not affect you.
## #3 Benefits of Industry Association’s Membership
#### 1. Networking
It is a common benefit of joining a trade association.
In a business, it is important to have information about your competitors, friends, big businessmen, clients, etc.
By networking in associations, you will be able to take your contacts and business to the next level.
It will help you to build long-term relationships and partnerships.
#### 2. Training and education
In your success journey, knowledge and training play a vital role.
If you are already an industry leader, then it will help you in maintaining your position.
It is most beneficial for businesses that are dependent on technology because technology changes very fast.
Business organisations keep on conducting events, seminars, and workshops that help their members to learn and grow.
#### 3. Certification and credibility
Various organisations provide certifications and licensing programs along with training and education.
These programs are provided only to the members of the association.
These certificates build prestige and credibility in your clients and customers. So, this is an invaluable benefit.
#### 4. Information
If you are a member of an industry association, you will get the news of anything happening in your industry immediately like about a new development in the industry whether it is new government regulation, new invention, etc.
Industry associations provide information to entrepreneurs through newsletters, email updates, and SMS.
#### 5. Best practices
Every industry has best practices in efficiency, productivity, and work quality.
You get information about such best practices through industry associations.
This is a very important learning benefit for new members.
#### 6. Exchange of ideas
Industry associations and chambers provide a forum to business owners for sharing their ideas to improve the industry.
This helps in getting several innovative ideas.
The experienced members of the association can guide the small businessmen to improve their business processes.
#### 7. Voice of the Business Community
As these associations are for the business community made by the businessmen only, so, they represent the business community.
So, they legally and socially protect the rights of their members.
They are active at the local level also.
These associations can combine together and influence laws and policies.
They take the business owners' voice to the government.
#### 8. Research
Several associations conduct market research on the trends, products, and services of their industries.
They share these reports with their members.
These reports have deep business insight that helps in taking your business ahead.
#### 9. Professional business opportunities
Along with the knowledge and training, these associations also provide you the opportunity to be the keynote speaker or give a presentation in their conferences, general meeting, and business sessions.
This helps in increasing your confidence, professional development, and building public speaking skills, which is very important for a businessman.
#### 10. Take advantage of group purchasing
The members of the association get discount benefits on products and services that are related to their businesses.
If the association has more members, then it can be done on the regional or local level.
You can get better rates on car and health insurance, office supplies, etc.
#### 11. Make your own association
If you do not have a direct benefit from any association, then you can convince some people of your industry to form a new association at the local level.
This association will be based on your community and sector’s objectives.
You need to work on your membership guidelines, interests, benefits, engagement, etc. because if your members cannot see the value in this association, then they will leave it.
So, you need to think about the step-by-step framework of the association and then share it with the members.