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Editorial from Volume I, Issue II, 2006 |
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Thoughts on Competition |
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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. SVR |