The New “Open Source” Model for Business Networks

Not since Al Gore, have I heard anyone claiming the internet as their own (except Google of course), but this week, I received a surprising email with a similar ownership claim.  The sender was an Internet Consultant who decided not to renew her membership with our organization, the Women’s Business Initiative International. She feels that the WBII unfairly competes with her business because of our efforts to make the internet and social media tools accessible and less scary to our members.

Upon reading her take on what a  Business Network or Club should be, I realized that her assumptions are based on an old fashioned traditional model, while the WBII operates in a collaborative “open source” model.   She questioned our integrity in competing with her business, by sharing information openly.  Her business is based on keeping the barriers in place that make people feel required to hire an expert.  Of course there are plenty of circumstances when businesses do require and hire special expertise.  In fact, if you lower the initial hurdles that exist for small business owners to take their business online, the demand for “expertise” will expand.

I really do appreciate the fact that she took the time to give direct feedback.  By challenging the WBII’s integrity, she helped solidify the WBII values; which clearly puts the needs of our members in developing their businesses above the desire of members to win clients from the members list.  Our aim is to lower the barriers that prevent our members from fully utilizing the power of the internet and the tools of social media to develop their business.   It is in the recent economic climate that more and more small business owners have been turning to the WBII for support and have found it to be an invaluable resource.

I know for sure that this “former member” made many worthwhile connections and built ongoing relationships as a result of her WBII Membership.  We wish her all the best…

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