One of the most gratifying aspects of Extreme Business Makeovers 2009 was the powerful and profitable connections made between attendees. The entire weekend had a Go-Giver theme with everyone focused on providing value to others rather than on what they themselves could get from the connections they made. Not surprisingly, since that event, a lot of business has been done – and continues to be done – amongst participants with the biggest givers receiving the most.
The following is one example, and I share it with you simply because it is a terrific example of how, when two people focus on helping the other, an expanded pie is created for both.
Barbara Abramson – along with her husband Ira – owns Sanford Carpet, based in Sanford, Florida. At the event, she briefly met Joe and Renee Vizi, owners of Eco-Scrub, a carpet cleaning company located near Atlanta.
Barbara and Joe connected on Facebook and Twitter and began conversing about their businesses.
Joe was interested in approaching carpet stores in his area in order to introduce himself as a reliable carpet cleaner and asked for Barbara’s thoughts on how best to achieve this.
Barbara’s recommendation to Joe was to think in terms of how he could benefit the customers of the carpet store by offering packages to the owner that he in turn could offer to his customers. The two discussed several different options, including securing a recommendation from the owner that would give him a foot in the door with the customers. Another idea was pre-selling to the carpet store cleaning packages for new customers and creating a referral program that would send Joe’s existing customers. whose carpet was beyond cleaning and needed replacement. to the carpet store.
Barbara also stressed to Joe that, as a carpet store owner, she would also be interested in how professionally a carpet cleaner represented himself, how he dressed on jobs, and how clean and up-to-date his truck and truck mount system was. These were all part of the value Joe had to offer to both the carpet store and their customers.
Joe (and, if you knew Joe like I’ve come to know Joe, this wouldn’t surprise you one bit) has taken the idea of partnering in his community to new heights, creating four other partnerships with various organizations that have resulted in tremendous benefit for the organizations and their customers. This included cleaning a room of carpet for members of his church for a food donation, which has enabled the church to help many more people. Most people opted to have additional rooms cleaned so Joe ended up receiving additional business, as well.
Joe has helped Barbara with valuable cleaning tips she can offer to her customers through her blog. He’s has also advised her on how she can best partner with businesses in her community to help position her company similarly. For example, she has already begun conversations with real estate companies that have foreclosures and bank-owned properties. They are now looking at ways to work together to get many houses that are not move-in ready due to neglect and damage, presentable and ready to be shown. And, they are in conversations with other trades to join them.
What’s interesting is, not just the fact that Joe has been able to brainstorm and help her as she has helped him, but – as we’ve seen so many times (Arlin Sorensen’s story on pages 25-26 in Go-Givers Sell More being a prime example) – just the action of helping someone in their business tends to inspire ideas for one’s own.
All-in-all, this is networking at its finest; two business people discussing how to increase value for customers and, at the same time, help each other, and themselves, obtain greater success.
Please share with us some ways you have worked with others in a similar way. We’d love to hear about it.
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Awesome writeup. Just another prime example of the Go-Giver mentality.
Bob,
This is so against the status quo in the competitive world! This is my fav:
“All-in-all, this is networking at its finest; two business people discussing how to increase value for customers and, at the same time, help each other, and themselves, obtain greater success.”
Our nation was founded on these principles and it is enlightening to see how this culture is being resurrected!
Thanks for being a catalyst in making this happen!
Bob
Yet another great story proving that Go-Givers Sell More, while also living a more fulfilling life.
So sad that we have become a nation so focused on immediate self-gratification. But so great that we have you, and others like you, who are working so tirelessly to change the way we think and operate.
Keep beating the drum, my friend. You are making a real difference!
Thanks for all you do to help make this a better world.
Chris: Thank you. Much appreciated!
Geneva: Very powerful. Thank you, my friend. I always enjoy your kind comments and feedback. You really “nailed” the meaning of this exchange between Joe and Barbara.
Dave: Thank you, as well. Your encouragement means a lot to me, and I appreciate all you are doing.
Thank you so much Bob for sharing this story. Joe and I have continued to exchange ideas on a regular basis and the benefits of brainstorming have been as you know, valuable for both of us. Joe and Renee and Ira and I are looking forward to the XBM reunion!
Renee & I have been attending weekly chamber of commerce classes that are helping us to understand how communities work together. Today was a very long and tiring session …exhausted, so I took a short nap. When I awaken I stumble to my office and check my email & FB stuff … SURPRISE! Bob Burg has featured my friend Barbara Abramson & me in his blog post. What a great surprise, I feel like I’m still dreaming! Thank you so much Bob! Can’t wait for XBM10!
Joe
Great story, and so true. Adding value relentlessly does come back. I own several businesses locally and each one grows due to referral- not advertising. I am constantly adding/ giving value to people (not customers), because giving that value to PEOPLE will eventually make them customers or at least refer other. I fought this when I was younger (thought I knew everything), but this is the most amazing thing I have learned in my 33 years, giving to others…the rest will work itself out. Thanks Bob.
Bob
I just wanted to share with you a quick story about how Joe and Renee Vizi have actually changed my way of thinking when it comes to business.
My husband and I own a small commercial/residential cleaning company that had started to slow down due to the economy. I had seen a print ad for Eco-Scrub in a local magazine, being in the cleaning field I read the entire article and called the toll-free number for more information. We have clients that ask us about cleaning carpet so I was looking for someone professional to refer to. I clipped the ad and saved it.
About 2 weeks later, I pulled up to a home for a walk-thru and became excited when I saw the Eco-Scrub van!
Since that time Eco-Scrub has brought our business in on joint adventures with them, expanding our business even more. Because of their go-giver mentallity, my company is working on a Cleaning for Cancer program, and other ways that we can give back thanks to Joe and Renee.
Watching the different ways that Joe and Renee conduct business has shown us a “pay it forward” way of doing business that is rare. Joe and Renee are true examples of “Go-Givers” in business and life.
Barbara and Joe, thank you both for allowing me to share you and your value-based styles with our readers. I know you touched a lot of lives.
Bridget, your letter says it all. And thank YOU for sharing. Much appreciated!!
Matt, thank you for sharing, my friend. Keep up the great work. I know that in your first parenthetical statement you meant not “just” customers, as I know you provide tons of value to them, as well. Just wanted to make sure everyone knew that. 🙂
Great post Bob. Joe and Barbara are two incredible folks — both of which I’m certain are going to continue to make great things happen in their respective businesses for a long time to come. Meeting & getting to know them both at Extreme Business Makeovers was a pleasure.
Reading this post reminded me of the lasting benefits that can come about from not only attending an event like the one you and Thom put on, but actually applying the ideas that are taught, doing so can really pay great dividends. It was truly an honor to speak at the event the last two years. While not speaking this year, I’m excited to be on the other side of things as an attendee — with my journal & pen in hand I know I’m going to get lots of lessons which I can apply in my business, and best of all I get to meet lots of incredible people.
Orlando, Fl here I come 🙂
-Josh
There is obviously so much more to know about this. I think you made some decisive points in Features also.
Keep working ,great writeup! beverly hills carpet cleaning
I love your blog – nice effort!