Groups for organizational development offer an abundance of business opportunities and positive exposure for your business. In addition to the industry members of the organizational development group, you will have opportunities to meet and get to know other members of the organizational development association, including business leaders that support the organizational development council.

Affiliation with organizational development organizations provides lobbying and networking opportunities that can be immensely helpful to your own business interests while you support the industry. Membership in an organizational development group often means access to information and contacts that can be important to your own company. Regional councils for organizational development offer even more chances to network with local business leaders in your community. Approach your membership in an association for organizational development from a variety of perspectives.

1. Expand your network through an organizational development council

2. Support the industry by participating in organizational development orgs.

3. Stay informed with organizational development group publications

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Develop business contacts in professional business development organizations

Organizational development organizations hold regular meetings, seminars and conventions for members and interested parties. At organizational development association events, as well as through various committees in which you can participate, you will have numerous occasions to socialize and network with other business people who support and work within the industry. The business leaders you meet could offer a number of trade opportunities for you and your company.

I recommend: The Organizational Development Network is a group of professionals who work together to advance the theories and practice of OD with consultants worldwide. Through the Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education, you will have the opportunity to be involved in a variety of educational and networking events.

Demonstrate your interest by joining groups for organizational development

If you want to do business with organizational development professionals, you will want to show your support while building relationships with national and local leaders in the industry. You often can do this best by participating in organizational development organizations with both your presence and your financial support.

I recommend: The American Society for Training and Development is a professional organizational development group for workforce learning consultants and experts. The Service and Support Professionals Association is a diverse group of OD consultants that offers a variety of events and resources for the industry.

Keep your company in the loop with organizational development council publications

While you may not have time to participate in a trade group or volunteer on a committee, you can take advantage of membership in an organizational development association through the myriad publications they put out. By keeping up with the reports and news in the industry, you can pick and choose which events will be most beneficial for you to attend while keeping updated on changes or news that affects groups for organizational development industry-wide.

I recommend: At the Organizational Development Institute, you can receive an annual handbook and directory of other organizational professionals while taking advantage of various events if you have time. The Society for Organizational Learning is a global network of professionals that delve into the mysteries of humanity through organizational development theories.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Join a committee in an association for organizational development to develop closer relationships with others who could provide sources of business for your company.