Partnerships By Gail Davis | Monday, August 09, 2010
When I was starting my company, I toyed with the idea of having a partner. I interviewed several successful entrepreneurs to discuss the pros and cons of going it alone or having a business partner. I remember my friend Jo Kling of Landry & Kling telling me that the best part of having a business partner is there is always another person there helping you row the boat. In the end, I did not base my business on a partnership model. The ironic part of it is partnerships are a key ingredient to the success we have experienced.
Looking back over the last 12 years, I can clearly say that we have been fortunate to have client relationships that feel more like partnerships. We have been invited to strategy sessions and events. We are made to feel that our experience and recommendations are key to the overall success of our clients’ events. The same is true on the speaker side of the house. We have speakers we have booked consistently throughout our company history. There is no doubt that we have forged our way by having a mutual respect and understanding of each other.
One of the strongest influences in my business development has been through my involvement with the International Association of Speakers Bureaus (IASB). Our association is very collegial and supportive. Much like real estate industry, agents often work together to meet the needs of our clients. My ability to deliver the absolute, perfect speaker for my clients is hinged on the successful partnerships I have formed with other speakers bureaus who are members of IASB.
Similarly, speakers have an association called the National Speakers Association (NSA) . I have long been a fan of this large and supportive association that is committed to excellence in the speaking industry. A few weeks ago, the IASB board held their summer board meeting in Orlando in conjunction with the NSA convention. This was a very strategic move that speaks to both associations commitment to partnerships. While at the board meeting, I was also able to serve on a panel with two colleagues from other bureaus. Our audience was a room full of speakers. The dialogue was on how we can all work together more effectively to ultimately serve our common customer.
I attended the Awards Banquet at NSA and watched while five new speakers were inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame. The 2010 honorees were Captain Charlie Plumb, Bill Cates, Steve Spangler, Mary LoVerde, The Passing Zone: Jon Wee, CPAE and Owen Morse. It is a super impressive group of speakers who I have had the pleasure of being in the audience of many. I was so happy to see the Passing Zone receive this honor. Talk about partnership, Owen and John have been partners for over 20 years.
Today, I am grateful and I celebrate the partnerships that support my life and business.
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