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Press ReleasesBiz Spotlight -
Ventura County Star
Q. Why did you decide to start your own business? "As a past member and officer of the organization, I believed so much in the program that I wanted to share the BNI "word-of-mouth" marketing concepts with other business people. It's also exciting to help and watch others grow and succeed and I learn the most amazing things from them in return. In addition, I really enjoy the challenge and freedom of working for myself." Q. What was your educational and career background before you started your business? "I was a finance major in college, but couldn't get a position as a corporate accountant because it was said that I had too much personality; instead, it was recommended that I go into sales and marketing. Of course, I had no interest in sales and marketing. With that said, I spent many years as an account executive in corporate sales for several large companies. My last position was with a local chamber of commerce as its membership director before being asked to work for BNI as regional director, which led to my eligibility to purchase the BNI franchise rights to Ventura County. (By the way, this is not a franchise available for sale to the general public.)" Q. What do you consider unique about your business? "BNI is a marketing program whose corporate philosophy is "Givers Gain." Being a "giver" rather than a "taker" has its rewards in the business world. BNI offers its members networking opportunities and a lot of education and guidance in the process of developing a word-of-mouth-based business. Groups of men and women, one person per profession, work together as a "team" supporting and promoting each other in order to develop and exchange quality business referrals." Q. What advice have you found to be most valuable in getting your business off the ground and keeping it going? "Advice that I have learned along the way from different business associates and personal experience is that there are no successful hermits. We cannot do it alone, so network with others. Another thing I learned is that, "Maintaining a 'What's in it for me?' attitude severely will limit my networking opportunities." Remember networking is not about selling but about building relationships that will open fantastic doorways for you." Q. What were the biggest hurdles you overcame? "The first hurdle was having the nerve to quit my comfortable job to allow time to meet the goals set by BNI headquarters to be eligible to purchase our franchise. But, the biggest hurdle I had to overcome was learning to work with and direct several "Type A" personalities. Accepting coaching advice is not easy for anyone, much less go-getters in this group." Q. Who is your target client/customer base? "This is a membership organization in which members are screened for their attitude, integrity and quality of products and service. We look for motivated and committed team players. Our ideal members are owners or sales representatives of businesses that offer consumer and/or business goods and services in the Ventura County area." Q. What is your strategy to increase market share? "The most obvious strategy is "word-of-mouth marketing," which involves my community involvement of all kinds, including membership in the local chambers of commerce and the Ventura County Professional Women's Network." Q. What kind of competition does your business face? "BNI is an international organization with chapters in 20 countries. In talking to other BNI directors around the globe, I found we all face the same competition -- other referral-generating organizations. However, they don't offer the educational opportunities, structured program and screening process that BNI has."
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