First some questions
- What are the purposes and goals of the power group?
- What is the function of the monthly meeting?
- Who is eligible to be a part of the group?
- What sort of commitments is required of a member?
Purposes and goals
There are two primary goals of the group. First, knowing that our business types have a natural empathy, we make an effort to bring referral-based business to each other. Second, we feel we can eventually market ourselves as a group … of “trusted traders” … a one stop shop for consumers. We aim to build better working relations among members. The size and diversity of the group will be crucial to its effectiveness and so a subsidiary goal is the need to increase the membership in order to fill the gaps in services we can offer as a group. We need to be able to offer complete solutions.
Why the monthly meeting?
To keep us on track and to maintain motivation and direction. We meet to generate, discuss and refine our goals and to then create action plans so that we really do accomplish something. Discussions will include how we can promote the groups as a whole as well as our individual businesses. Each meeting is part of our further business education and growth. We run through a structured agenda which ensures we grow increasingly knowledgeable about each other’s businesses and also learn how our own business is perceived by others. The monthly meeting is also the time to formalise referrals that we may have already given or are about to give. At each meeting we can also be reminded of the categories of business we need to invite as guests.
Who can be a member of this power group?
The core members of the Business-to-Consumer Power Group are drawn from Essex Business Forum. The power group is also happy to accept other local businesses which are not members of EBF conditional on there being a genuine level of commitment. Also, past members and outside professions can be invited if they are identified to be of benefit to the group. The members mostly run businesses which, in whole or part, trade and deal with the end consumers of goods and services.
Sensible commitment
All members of the group are expected to make reasonable effort to attend all meetings through the year. If a member cannot attend it is good form to let the Chairman know well in advance.
The commitment also involves being an active, contributing member, bringing guests when possible, striving to further the group as a whole and looking for qualified referrals for other members.
