Using Web 2 as an information gathering and business generating tool.

One thing that I have learned in this business is that trying to get a group of FoodService Industry Professionals together in one room, is like trying to herd cats! I have created a private domain where we can share information about what is going on in our area. Who's opening, closing, moving, selling, etc. I have also learned that several salespeople can hold one piece of the puzzle when it comes to a single business unit. In a group of 15 - 25 people, chances are that someone knows an address, another a name, another a phone number, and another may have had a previous relationship with the operator. The fact that our community is on-line allows everyone to participate at their convenience and add to the puzzle when ever they have a piece. They can get or place information where ever they have a connection to the internet. We also produce a marketing piece for our group that allows us to cross-promote. Because we get instantaneous information from our domain, we only meet once a month instead of 2-4 times a month like other groups! Another bonus is that members of our group (in many cases) beat their competition to the punch. I have attached a copy of our Monthly Market Report from last October as an example.

Have Fun!
Be #1,
Carl Muth
FoodServiceResource.com