Nice people can finish first! As the founder of ActionCOACH Wisconsin, giving back is a vital part of the message I share with my clients. Doing good in the community helps lead to entrepreneurial success.
Meaningful Connection Builds Entrepreneurial Success
Giving back takes on many forms. It is giving back by donating funds to a nonprofit organization. It is volunteering your time to help organize a fundraising event, or being on a nonprofit board. Giving back is sharing your ideas with other entrepreneurs, through collaboration and networking. Giving back builds meaningful connection, and meaningful connection is vital to entrepreneurial success.
Trusted Relationships Build Entrepreneurial Success
At ActionCOACH Wisconsin, we coach our clients to develop both the skills and mindset for entrepreneurial success. “Do Unto Others” is good for your soul. It is also a very authentic, economic currency.
When you help other people, you are viewed as a trusted person, and community partner. These two traits, trust and partnership, are highly valued in business relationships. When people trust you, they are more likely to hire you. When clients view you as a partner, they will have confidence in your commitment.
When you give back to organizations, and the community you are not only saying “trust me”, you are authentically living the concept.
Business Networking Builds Entrepreneurial Success
Sharing your ideas with other, like-minded entrepreneurs is giving back too. In the following case, business networking gave back in a big way, at a pivotal time. When the pandemic hit, I worried about its impact on local entrepreneurs. In response, coach David Steffen and I started the Business Owners Roundtable (BOR). Using the online Zoom platform 225 entrepreneurs met every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Over the course of six months we shared challenges, ideas and contacts. During that time, participating businesses collectively created more than $4 million in revenue. Now known as the CORE Network, the meetings continue in person as a business networking group.
Business Collaboration Builds Entrepreneurial Success
Being an entrepreneur can be a lonely experience. At this point, you know that sharing your time and ideas with other people is a form of giving back. At each ActionCOACH Wisconsin location, we have established an Offsite Collaboration Center to build business collaboration. The Centers are a space where entrepreneurs can stop in to work, hold meetings or large training events. The feedback is so positive, I plan replicate the model at additional ActionCOACH locations in the Midwest. Nothing beats business collaboration when you’re an entrepreneur.
Laying a Foundation for Giving Back
I developed the heart of a servant leader many years ago, when I put together a golf outing to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. A friend was fighting the disease. I wanted to help. It lifts your spirits doing good things. It is also a way of making new contacts. I went on to join nonprofit boards, chambers of commerce, foundations, business alliances, and networking organizations. I find giving back to be an important part of each business success.
Giving Back and Growing
I started my own ActionCOACH franchise a few years ago. I now have 2 locations, one in Brookfield, and another in Neenah or the Fox Valley. We have a full staff with the recent addition of two experienced business coaches. I am proud be the 2021 Partner of the Year, by BizX America, ActionCOACH’s business excellence forum and awards. I am the 2021 Coach of the year, a repeat from 2018. The reason I am sharing these accolades is because I believe YOU can achieve this, too!
Giving back to the community, and elevating the lives of other people is a big part of our growth. If you would like to become part of our ActionCOACH Wisconsin community, give us a call at (262) 261-7330 in Brookfield, (920) 212-2211 in Neenah, or contact us online.
We look forward to meeting you.