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Since starting my own White Dove Business, I have been struck at the attitude
toward competition on our profession. It all started some time ago when
I first began offering a course on how to start a white dove business. I
got a scathing email from another professional organization saying, "How Dare
you offer this information to others?"
Well I must explain, that I am an old teacher, and my greatest joy is
sharing knowledge. About the same time someone told me of a white dove
that they had found after a release and the dove was a) a ring-neck dove; b)
could barely fly. c) still at the release spot after 2 days. They
finally took it home and kept it as a pet. I decided right then and
there that if our profession was to be taken seriously enough to be successful
for the public to accept and for us to make a living at it, education was
paramount. People would release birds, and they should know the correct
parameters. Everyone, even the customers, should know that our birds are
highly trained, and never released when they might be in danger of not making
it home. All of the information on "How to do it correctly..." needed to
be readily available. Hence, the online course White Doves 101 was
hatched. Since then, over 500 people have taken the course, and there are many
that have gone on to start their own successful business. I feel good
that I know that they have the tools for success -- and they are treating
their birds correctly. This will in the end, benefit all of us in the
business.
Since that time, many people have approached me as an ongoing source
of information and a resource. Thus began the IWDS. Again, the
same people in another professional organization approached me with vehemence.
"How DARE I offer a professional organization that would encourage people to
be successful in this business?" This particular organization only
admits members in a way that they do not compete. As a result, I know
that there are some very bad feelings between white dove release businesses.
The Society is growing in leaps and bounds, and I have received wonderful
feedback on the content of the Online Journal. Competition will happen,
especially as we grow. But competition is good because it will make all
of us offer better service. It is important however, to not let it lower
prices. To that end, get to know your competitors and work together.
Encourage then to be professional.
I SAY TO ALL OF YOU. Welcome new businesses, even if they are in your
area. The more people learn about our service, the more business will be
generated for all of us. Work toward a white dove release for every
wedding, every funeral, every baptism, every confirmation, every anniversary,
every holiday! If we work together, everyone benefits. I know that
I sometimes cannot do a release, so I send the referral to a "competitor".
Hopefully, they will return the favor. And it opens a channel so that we
can be sure that we all adhere to a code of ethics and provide top quality
service.
Competition is not bad. Embrace it.
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