South County Business Neighbors
We hope this question-and-answer session with Michael Rohrbacker, director of South County Business Neighbors, will help you decide whether this Yellow-Tie Business-Building Alliance is a fit for you.
If you want to visit a future SCBN meeting to determine whether the group fits you and you fit the group, contact Mike using any of the means specified below and ask to be invited.
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Q: With what chapter of Yellow-Tie is your Business-Building Alliance affiliated?
A: We're part of the St. Louis, MO, U.S.A. chapter.
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Q: We would like to hear your story -- why was this Business-Building Alliance started?
A: Most entrepreneurs get lonely. It's a tough job ... running a business. Not that we're complaining, mind you. We truly do love this stuff.
But we found ourselves wondering things like what to do next about some new business problem, and wishing we had friends around us with whom we could share both the good and bad of this experience. Surely there are other business entrepreneurs in our neighborhood who go through these same things, who feel this same need and who would be willing to join forces to the benefit of everyone.
We South County Business Neighbors because we want company. We want to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other people who believe in the power of being neighborly. We want to laugh with, commiserate with and rejoice with other people who are going through the same things we are. We want to get to know and like and trust these people to the point where their success is as important to each of us as is our own.
We all want to develop a bunch of business friends who we care about as much as we do our personal friends. And we want to team up so we can figure out together how we can all achieve our dreams.
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Q: Within the choices of business to business (B2B), business to consumer (B2C) or both, how would you best classify the prospects to whom your Business-Building Alliance members sell?
A: Both.
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Q: How else would you describe the prospects to whom your members sell, and/or the people you want in your group?
A: The "Why" stuff is above. We'll answer this question from the perspective of What and How.
This group will be composed of business owners and salespeople who live, work or sell throughout the South County Area. Many of us will sell B2C. Others only B2B. Still others, both. It's not about sales or referrals, however, but those are common elements of each of our days.
Once the core group is formed, we'll figure out together how to generate success for everyone in the group. One idea is to employ a neighborhood outreach approach to building relationships, so that when people move into the South County neighborhood, they'll become part of our community right away.
Another idea is a regular "Learn from a member" segment. We have a wealth of experience and training we plan to share with our SCBN friends. We're sure every person in the group will have something to teach. We're also convinced every person who joins us will be ready to learn.
We're hoping to build a 10- to 20-neighbor group. Here are some examples of people who may be a fit (but if you're not on the list DO NOT let that stop you from reaching out):
Current Members
Prospective Members
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Again: If your business isn't listed but you believe in being part of something like this, please don't hesitate to reach out.
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Q: When, where and how often does your Business-Building Alliance meet?
A: We meet the second and fourth Thursday of every month from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. in the South County area. Each person will buy his or her own beverage/meal. There will be no required monthly dues.
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Q: What else do you want to tell people about your Business-Building Alliance?
A1: We'll be creating and implementing a group marketing system that will leverage the group's collective power. The idea is to ensure that people moving into the South County neighborhood feel welcome by helping them get connected to their neighbors and neighboring businesses.
For that reason, it's important that our members fully commit to this group and our efforts.
A2: We believe strongly in the give-without-keeping-score model of relationship-building upon which Yellow-Tie is founded. So if you're currently a member of one of the "keep score" programs or associations, then you wouldn't be a fit for this group.
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Q: How do you want people interested in your network to contact you?
A: Please call me on my cell at 314-324-3112.