Joining a membership organization is one way to network with other business owners and can provide tremendous value to a growing business. Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs join an organization for the sole purpose of getting referrals and growing sales. Yes, a membership can bring business to you. However, there is so much more to joining than that. Consider these three very important benefits:
1. Mentorship -
Anyone will tell you that to get to the next level in business, you must consult with those who have knowledge and expertise in different areas. Whether it is marketing or public relations or sales, having access to industry experts is priceless. And there's more. Mentors can save you from the headache of making unnecessary mistakes. Don't get me wrong. Mistakes and failures play a vital role in growing a business. And believe me, there are plenty to go around. Having a mentor can accelerate the inevitable learning curve.
2. Camaraderie -
When was the last time you faced questions from your family and friends about what it is that you do? Those business owners who have a brick and mortar are likely immune from this question since people can see the business. But those who provide a service, or have a home based or Internet based business often find it difficult to share ideas and concerns with those who work for someone else. To those who work on a job for a living, running a small business comes across as mysterious. Moreover, due to the lack of understanding, family, friends, and employees become nay sayers to your ambitions. Therefore, if your business is to grow, you must stay connected to the beautiful and inspiring people who are actively pursuing their business goals as well as those who are quite successful at it.
3. Accountability -
Many small businesses operate as a sole proprietor. We love what we do. That is why we often spend the majority of our time engrossed in our product or service. We work hard to deliver quality to our clients. Likewise, we set high goals for our business. Yet there is no one to hold us accountable. That's where the organization and its membership come in. We can team with success partners within the organization who can offer gentle persuasion and hold us accountable to our goals. Having someone hold you accountable can mean the difference between growing or staying where you are.
Cynthia Renee Frazier, Co-Founder of Energy Tour Café, an Internet Marketing Company. Her vision is to assist one million Women Business Owners to grow their company so that they can have more time to spend with their families, be inspired to give 20% of profits to the charity of their choice, and leave a legacy of business success for future generations. Sign up for our email alert at
http://www.EnergyTourCafe.com to learn more about growing your business.
Don't miss Cynthia on the Synergy Energy Show on Jan. 14th at Noon (EST)
call in and ask her a question. • Listener dial-in number: (646) 716-6964
www.blogtalkradio.com/ministrymarketingsolutions (host
www.PamPerryPRcoach.com)
Posted By: Pam Perry
Wednesday, January 7th 2009 at 12:37AM
You can also
click
here to view all posts by this author...
