December 20, 2007

Dear YPN Members,

I know many of you have better things to do with your time than read a goodbye from an old fogey like me, but I wanted to take a minute and thank you for your support of the Chamber's Young Professionals initiative.

In my eleven years as the leader of the Chamber I've had the opportunity to see thousands of professionals and I've come away with what I think makes a great Chamber Member and therefore a great business leader. I wanted to take this opportunity to share those thoughts with you, the YPN, our region's next generation of leaders.

Great Chamber Members know they are committed to being a Member for the long haul and they view each and every fellow Member as a long term relationship in the waiting. Recognize I said relationship – not just networking. Relationships take time to develop –you need to get to know each other. Relationships reflect a respect and understanding for you as a person rather than just your company or organization. Relationships are very personal. That’s the reason you have never seen a “speed relationship” workshop –you can do a “speed networking” workshop but that’s all you get –a possible introduction to a Chamber relationship.

What does this mean to you? Stop selling your product or service and start selling yourself and your sincere and real desire to have a meaningful relationships with each other. It is all about Chamber members taking the time, and courtesy, to get to know me and understand my personal and professional needs. That means you have to listen rather than talk. That means you have to ask how you can help rather that when will you buy from me.

The greatest gift I have been given in the past eleven years are all of the relationships I have enjoyed.  As I leave, that is what I am taking with me because they are timeless and will continue to flourish, if I can be of service.

I would also highly encourage you to work better at getting engaged with some of the "traditional" Chamber programming.  The Chamber puts on a number of valuable programs throughout the year and its important that you get connected to that arena.  I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at just what can happen when you mix a little bit of the old with the young and talented.

My leaving the organization to go on to a different part of my life is why your organization and engagement is so important.  Our community, both regionally and nationally, will begin to see the exodus of the "elders" such as myself which leaves you with the opportunity of filling that void.

If you think I'm joking, on October 15, of this year the first person from the baby-boomer generation filed for social security.  From now on every day 100,000 more people will become eligible for benefits and begin transitioning out of the workforce.

It's up to you to determine the future of our country.  From what I know about each of you, I honestly believe that our best days are yet to come.  It's important that you get engaged in the legislative and civic processes. 

From the beginning the YPN has overcome adversity through the loss of it's early champion, Brian Schultz.  His leadership and spirit are alive today in your group.  I'm sure fewer things would make him happier than to know that his YPN is 100 strong and growing.

You've had a great ride and I wish each of you nothing but continued success and prosperity in your professional and personal lives.  I hope that you will continue to support the YPN and the Chamber and grow into roles as the next generation of leaders. 

Sincerely,

Mike Skarr
Former President & CEO
Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce