Hey Guys,
I had an interesting day yesterday... and still processing it. This may be a long post but then that's what this blog is for, right? To share between meetings? It would take too long to catch you all up to speed on this at our next conference call so here goes...
I have been in a BNI chapter for the past 4 1/2 years and seen some great success in promoting my web design business. I get a LOT of referrals and repeat business and spin-offs from referrals through my involvement in that. And I volunteer as the Education Coordinator for the group which means I get to stand up in front of the group every week and give a 3-5 minute presentation on networking. I love it!
Since returning from BTS I have decided (as I shared with the group) that I want to start a new business in Success Coaching. I now have 5 clients! (four pro bono and one that is doing an exchange of services with me) I love it and have received lots of positive feedback already about how well-suited I am for that profession. I also want to develop a series of presentations that I can deliver to various audiences. I am still doing web design but since I can pretty much do that in my sleep I want to focus my creative and business building energies on the new business.
So, with this in mind, I was torn when my BNI membership came up for renewal. It's a significant chunk of money ($500) and commitment of time (we meet weekly) AND a great support network. Our particular chapter has also won "Chapter of the Year" for the past two years in a row. It's a great organization and a great chapter of professionals. The thing is my current category is "web designer". (There is only one person in each professional category allowed in each chapter.) Each week I am allowed only to promote my web design business. And I didn't want to continue to solicit referrals for my web design business all I really want is to generate referrals for the NEW business. So, someone suggested I change my category to "business coach".
I decided to solicit some feedback from other members on this. My concern was (a) whether or not people would accept the change of category, given that I've only ever been "the web designer" in their eyes; and (b) whether anyone would have an issue with me filling that seat as opposed to someone else in the profession. The feedback I am getting is that while everyone can see how successful I would be as a business coach (given their experience of me as Education Coordinator), they are unclear as to how what I would be doing would be different from what our chapter's therapist does.
In my mind, while I can see some areas of potential overlap, I don't see our categories as conflicting at all. Our therapist does (and has repeatedly, at least to me, expressed her desire in doing) mostly group psychotherapy for people in crisis -- marriage counseling, abuse, etc... She also conducts some workshops on managing your emotions. However, when I met with her to discuss this over lunch yesterday, she said she also "coaches" people on some of the areas (such as goal setting, and building self-esteem) that I told her I was going to work with people on. So therefore, she sees my wanting to assume the category of "business coach" as a conflict to her category.
When I asked her what would it take to make her feel more comfortable about me taking the category of "business coach" in the chapter, her response was (a) that I be very clear in my infomercial about how I am different from what she does and stick STRICTLY to business coaching talk; and (b) that I go into business/partnership with her! She also wants to "do some of the Education Moments (during our meetings) sometimes".
The more I thought about what she was saying, the more I feel like she must feel very threatened by who I am (or who I have become and am becoming) and that she's being greedy in her category. She wants her cake and she wants to eat it too. I feel she may be using this as a way to manipulate me into teaming up with her. (You know the old saying, "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.") She has been trying for years to get people to "partner" with her (myself included). I've seen her business be a revolving door for practitioners who go in under this assumption and then leave within a year when they realize that mostly their part of the "partnership" is dealing with all the administrative headaches that she doesn't have the patience, talent, or inclination to deal with herself. I don't want that to be me. And I have told her that if I were to work with her in any way (there actually ARE some benefits which I won't go into right now) that there would have to be very clear definitions of roles and boundaries. But my gut keeps saying "no -- stay away".
This is what I want:
I want to stay in this particular chapter. (It IS the best, after all.)
I want to change my category to business coach. (That is the closest category/description of what I am wanting to generate new business and leads for.)
I want to maintain my integrity as a business professional in the eyes of all the other members of our chapter.
I want my new success coaching practice to be a huge success and start generating some actual income, sooner rather than later, so it can take over for my web design business as being my main stream of revenue.
My challenge is:
With this member (the therapist) unsupportive of the change, and other members (including the President and VP of the chapter) concerned over the potential conflict, what would it take to get what I want?
Suggestions? Feedback?
Suzanne,
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone who knows you would ever question your integrity. I think you can be honest with everyone that you are transitioning to a business coaching practice and while you get that business up and running, you are taking "survival clients" in the web design industry. (I'm not sure if that's allowed in BNI.) In other words, give a clear description of your ideal coaching client and then a clear description of who you would accept as a web design client. My feedback would be: 1) Tell your BNI group "What You Want" and ask if they will support you in that. It's either a yes or no and you will not compromise what you want in order to make other people feel comfortable. (You could say that or not say that...) If they won't support you or aren't a 'Hell Yes' then find another networking group. Their energy toward you, regardless of referrals, will impact you tremendously since you see them every week. 2) I don't know the BNI categories, but could you change to 'life coach'? I think if you and this other woman exist in the same group, clarity about who you serve is important. It sounds like you know that working with her is not in your best interest. I don't see a conflict of interest even in having the same profession of people if they have a different niche. A gynecologist and podiatrist will never compete for business even though they are both doctors. This woman sounds insecure about herself or her business.
Having been a member of this group for 4.5 years, you are surrounded by people who know you well and can give you great support. At the same time, there are millions of ways to get what you want - this chapter of BNI does not hold your future in its hands. You are a rock star and will find your path regardless. I think the question for is: Does this group support who you are becoming as you transition into a new business?
PS - Sorry I missed you on FB earlier.
ReplyDeleteYou don't lose your integrity for going for what you want in life. We lose it when we put our destiny in the hands of others to direct. Go for what you desire and your true business partners will support your efforts. If not, then NEXT. You go for it!! Behind you all the way and rock on!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck and keep us posted
Thanks for your post Susanne! Here are my first reactions. First and very clearly, STAY AWAY from the therapist! She very obviously is not the right fit for you. Secondly, if the group can't make the distinction between therapist and life coach, then I don't think the group will work for you either. These are two totally different fields and the therapist is just wanting to grab any business she can. If the group exec's can't figure it out, you might want talk to the regional exec's.
ReplyDeleteJust some preliminary thoughts. Hope this helps! Talk to you tonight!!
Thanks, everyone. I truly appreciate your support. My next challenge is, How do I pay for it? It seems my finances are crashing down around my ears right now. I THOUGHT I was doing fine... however, the Universe is challenging that thought right now.
ReplyDelete