What Can You Do for ACG?

As I reflect on some of the valuable lessons I’ve learned during my tenure as ACG Cincinnati Chapter President, I could wax eloquent about the countless networking opportunities. Or I could regale you with tales of impressive speakers like William Johnson, Chairman of Heinz, or John Pepper, former CEO of Procter & Gamble. A lot of knowledge flows out of our monthly meets. But I’d like to pass along a little wisdom I’ve gained as a member of the rank and file of ACG, and now as a participant in leadership. Perhaps new members who are reading this or even long-time members can benefit from some of the things I’ve learned. * You have to show up to get the value offered by ACG. You only get out as much as you invest. * There’s always someone smarter than you. Find them and learn from them. * It’s not just who you know, it’s how well you treat them. * Invest in getting to know people before you ask them for something. * It’s important to give back to your community. For example, Jeffrey Immalt, President of GE, came and spoke to 400 Cincinnati ACG members. This is a man who is accustomed to speaking to thousands of people and countless high-profile journalists, but he took the time to invest in the community where he grew up. * The rewards aren’t always where you think they are. A return on your investment of time doesn’t always equal new clients or increased income stream. It may be access to someone’s hard-earned wisdom. * Most folks are people of goodwill. That doesn’t mean we can’t vehemently disagree, engage in passionate debates, or have very different perspectives, but it does mean that we must be willing to set aside our personal agendas and keep the overall objectives in front. Sometimes, it’s just not all about us. * As an ACG leader, I’ve sometimes approached situations like a typical deal shark, but I’ve realized that is not always the best approach, or even the most successful one. As a result, I’m applying the things I’ve learned as chapter president to how I conduct negotiations in the workplace. * If you want to get a lot out of your membership, volunteer for something. Each chapter has a different culture, and some are easier to assimilate into than others. But if you volunteer to serve on a committee, the leadership will most likely love you. Truth be told, every good leader needs helping hands. * The best thing about this organization is the friends I’ve made – not just the kind of friends you talk to at cocktail parties but friends you can trust and rely on. My experiences have taught me how to be a better friend as well. So here’s my charge to readers: Ask not what ACG can do for you but what you can do for ACG. If you approach your membership with this in mind, I guarantee you’ll come out ahead. Peter Kubasek Founding Partner The Malibu Group (c) 2006 Mergers and Acquisitions Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.majournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com