Teamwork is the name of the game for members of Local Business Network’s Clarkston Chapter.
‘It’s a great way to get to know a lot of professionals,? said Mitch Foster, president, who transferred to the Clarkston chapter from West Bloomfield, after moving to the area.
‘It’s an excellent way of doing business ? I refer business to them and they refer business to me,? said Natalie DeLeo, vice president, who joined the network in 2000.
The Clarkston branch has 21 members, and a goal of recruiting four more. They meet every two weeks for presentations and to share referrals, leads, and ideas.
Charles Gifford of Independence Township founded the Local Business Network in 1999.
‘Clarkston is a great chapter ? it’s my first chapter,? Gifford said.
The network has since grown to 48 chapters and 625 members in Eaton, Genesee, Ingham, Macomb, Oakland, Shiawassee, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties. Members have referred an estimated $100,000 of business to each other, Gifford said.
‘That’s a lot of business for our members,? he said. ‘The goal was to put money in each others? pockets ? we’re all out there marketing for each other, every day.?
Network members refer about 11 percent of Foster’s clients, he said.
‘It’s been great,? said Foster, attorney. ‘Some have had about 45 percent referred ? it depends on the business.?
‘Chuck was one of my clients ? I wanted to see what this was about,? said Minesh Baxi, network member for the past six years. ‘It’s a great tool for marketing.?
Another advantage is members can visit any of the chapters, said Jill Grenevitch, certified clinical hypnotherapist.
‘It’s a great opportunity,? Grenevitch said. ‘LBN has been wonderful for me, personally and professionally.?
About 20 percent of her business comes from network referrals, she said.
‘I have found LBN members to be generally interested in helping one another, and second-to-none in servicing their customers,? she said.
‘I love having a network of professionals available whenever I have a need.?
Local chapters are composed of business professionals recruited for their business specialties and willingness to help each other grow their businesses. They act as a part-time sales staff for each other, Foster said.
The Clarkton Chapter meets at 7:15 a.m., first and third Wednesdays, at Green Apple restaurant, Dixie Highway. Cost is $35 per month, with a $50, one-time application fee.
For more information, call 248-620-6320 or check www.locbusnet.com.