Are you providing what your competition is missing?

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with a large Young Professional group that does wonderful things in a metropolitan area. I've known about this group and have watched it develop for a few years, now, and I knew that it was the right time to talk to them about collaboration instead of competition. How? In reserching the organization, I found that there was a key element that the group was missing that we provide -- leadership training.

In marketing, your taught to know your target audience, understand their needs, and either explain how you fill those needs or create a customized product to meet the need. The same principles apply when assessing competing organizations. As only Junior Chamber affiliates can have what the Junior Chamber offers, there will always be one element that another group needs to fully develop.

It got met thinking about how well do we know these other groups? In my home town, we work alongside one another, support each others' projects, and make a bigger impact on the community as a result. While most of the other groups are social-networking or community volunteerism only, they recommend membership in the Junior Chamber to their own members who want something more. It's a great relationship to have and improves long-term civic revival from the young professional roots.

So I encourage you to take a look at competing groups, get to know them, understand them, and see what they can provide for your group. In exchange, find out how you can fill their needs and build a great civic, collaborative relationship.