It is time to look at what you stand for. Separate yourself from your competition by your actions.

It is time to look at what you stand for. Separate yourself from your competition by your actions.

I was meeting with Tom about what made his business succeed. Tom said “it drives me a little crazy when I hear business owners say - I am passionate about the idea of saving Lake Simcoe, how important it is to support that cause and talk about it. Then do not support or participate in the efforts like being part of the solution eg: buying a fundraising calendar from Ladies of the Lake or advertising in Lake Simcoe Living. Next issue closes eatly May. By participating you show everyone you are an active participant in a worthwhile cause.”

I agree. In marketing I get the same feedback. A business owner attendee at one of my free networking events said that they were not happy at the attendance. “I was expecting to see many more prospects: small business owners, entrepreneurs and prospects,” they said.
Tom jumped in and commented: “ You know, if each displaying business invited their clients and prospects to come to Mr Bob’s free event and support his or her business by inviting them, there would be no attendance questions.”

The complaining attendee looked a little shocked. "You mean to say that most businesses and Pro Members buy a membership and don't display, don't attend, or invite others."
Yes, it's like going to a buffet and waiting to be served. Networking is a contact support! You need to participate. Get up and take action. For example, advertising typically involves no action. Action is stepping out of the box and doing something that says you are involved like saying: I am at this event. Come as my guest and get some great contacts. I am supporting Lake Simcoe by buying a calendar because Lake Simcoe is important to me and my business.

Prospects looking for bu$ine$$ want to know who you are and what is important to you. There is so much competition. Your commitment to why they should buy from you comes from your actions and what you stand for in the community.

Tom said, “I have one of those eye opening moments, an aha! You mean, the more I support my cause by actively supporting it, the more bu$ine$$ I will get.”

Yes! Many are involved in saving the Lake and others are involved in helping entrepreneurs. Take Donna Douglas at Go Venture; she has dedicated herself to making business owners better - but she goes beyond and has committed herself to personally spend time and her expertise to the next step. She is recognized with many awards. The biggest to her is the success of her over 900 successful businesses.

Tom understands: “So a major benefit of getting up and taking action is that this will give people a reason to support you rather than those that just advertise.”"Tom! I think you have got it! Stand up and be an active supporter of what you believe in and those with that passion they will support you."A caution: don't do this because you expect rewards. As Donna says, "this needs to be a win,win,win situation."

Your Homework: Do your homework and be amazed by the results.
Identify your passions and who you want to support.
Identify how you can support that organization.
With your skills what can you do to add to their cause?

Moral: Tom! I think you have got it! Stand up and be an active supporter of what you believe in and those with that passion will support you. www.opinionnaire.ca