The Small Business Community Network practises what it preaches, we are about helping the community, small businesses, charities, and we do a great job. We are a Business Networking Organization, we do have rules, membership and our promise to our members is to help promote them, their businesses and support them grow their success to the next level.
Working together is a great way to build any community, but sadly more often than not today some organizations just don't get it. Here is an example of what is happening more and more, particularly on the social media platforms.
Let's use Tim Hortons as an example: Starbucks executive walks into Tim Hortons Coffee shop, does not purchase any food or beverage and promptly stomps around giving out flyers inviting everyone to visit Startbucks Coffee Shop on set date, set time and set price. Do you really think the Tim Hortons staff would be happy with that scenario? No, and rightly so. Now, if this happened instead:
Starbucks executive walks into Tim Hortons Coffee shop, greets the staff, with whom he is familiar with, has a chat and a laugh and a joke and enjoys a Tim's coffee. He then askes permission to leave his flyers on the tables because Starbucks have some special offers. See the difference in the approach?
Not sure if the above could happen, but it is a great example of what is happening more and more today on FB pages, Twitter, and LinkedIn Groups. There is enough for everyone, and as a well established business networking organization, the SBCN is happy to share the *wealth*. We gladly invite our members to share information about other networking events etc. But, it is done in such a way that it is acceptable, we have built relationships of respect and trust, our members come along and enjoy our meetings and events and go away satisfied. They are not barging in and *stealing* our thunder, its a win win situation as we are not restricting them to what information they can share at our events.
It is all about respect, honesty, trust and giving, so if you are a member of any of our groups online you are there for many reasons, and we have invited you there. We have opened our *home* to you, invited you into our lives and shared with you our tips, members, advice and much more. Our hospitality is genuine, so should not be abused. Don't stomp into our groups, deliver your sales spiel and then ignore everyone, that's quite rude. Share our wealth get to know us, we can get to know you and we can all help each other, that's the way it works.
Your comments are welcome, and as one of the co-founders who has grown the SBCN I invite you if you are local to Waterloo Region, Ontario to visit one of our events and see what a warm welcome you will receive.
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