Group Dynamics Joining a trade association could set your business's agenda in motion.

As the first national U.S. standards for organic foods went intoeffect in October, Dave Alexander was thanking his lucky stars-andhis trade association. The Organic Trade Association (OTA), whichAlexander has belonged to for five years, spent more than a decadelobbying for the rules. The change is expected to lead to bigopportunities for small enterprises like Arlington,Massachusetts-based Global Organics Ltd., the seven-person organicfoods importer Alexander founded in 1992.

"A lot of big companies have been eyeballing the organicindustry but have been sitting on the sidelines because theydidn't feel comfortable with the fact that there wasn't anyfederal legislation," explains Alexander, 38. "Largelydue to the efforts of the Organic Trade Association, there nowis."

Tricks of the TradeGroup
Big companies hire their own lobbyists to influence legislators andregulators; small companies join trade associations. Smallcompanies also join trade groups for benefits such as networkingand low-cost health insurance, and to promote industry educationcampaigns.