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ForumForumDiscussionsDiscussionsSyndicate Manag...Syndicate Manag...How do you get a group to grow organically?How do you get a group to grow organically?
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 31/12/2009 15:52
 
User is offline RichardHowells
7th Level Poster

Joined: 14/03/2009
Posts: 47
 Modified By RichardHowells on 31/12/2009 16:53:39

I've been in touch with a few syndicate managers recently.

To my disappointment a few of them said - "I don't want to be listed on your site, my group grows fine by word of mouth. I don't need more members."

I have no problem with not wanting more members. It's a decision for an individual manager to decide when to stop. However, I would love to have my group 'just grow' like that. It seems that my members are not a talkative lot.

So, if your group 'just grows' what did you do (or maybe avoid doing) to cause/promote it?

Cheers,

Richard
Agile software mentor, trainer, and developer; part time Oil Syndicate manager!
www.dynamisys.co.uk
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 31/12/2009 17:55
 
User is offline Steve
10th Level Poster

Joined: 24/12/2009
Posts: 17

Hi Richard,
I want the Merton Oil Buying Group to grow and I am pro-active in making it happen.
A few techniques that I employ are as follows: -
Use a map to see which areas nearby can be targeted – research if they use heating oil with drive-by’s or estate agents details for houses for sale in the area (they may have ‘oil fired central heating’ referenced in the details for the property);
Look at village websites to see if a syndicate already exists;
Letter drops to new areas in the first instance;
Get details of the local Parish Magazines and request an article be incorporated;
Promote ‘word of mouth’ from existing members;
Once you get your foot in the door of an area, word of mouth generally takes over…
As the Group grows further, I will make use of the local newspapers to spread the word to a wider audience.
One thing that I have noticed is that there are still a few ‘hardcore loyalists’ to a local supplier that will not use the Oil Buying Group. This is despite promoting the savings obtained on the website and by articles within our Parish Magazine.
I do not mind this as everyone has a choice… but I am intrigued as to the ‘why’. I will ask one of these days to satisfy my own curiosity!
Regards
Steve
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 25/01/2010 10:39
 
User is offline Howard
10th Level Poster

Joined: 05/01/2010
Posts: 16

Greetings Richard.

For many years I just let our group grow by word of mouth, then I put an article in the Parish Mag that led to a big increase in membership. This prompted me to highlight the Group on the Village Website which got enquiries from all over the UK. Some from local villages prompted the start of 2 other groups who buy with us meaning that we now order on average 200 to 250,000 litres. It helps if your village has a good community spirit because people then talk to each other. I still believe that word of mouth is the best engine for growth.
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 21/02/2011 10:09
 
User is offline Tree Tops
No Ranking

Joined: 21/02/2011
Posts: 1

Hi

I know that your post was posted over a yeat ago but we are looking at starting a syndicate and am wandering how joining with another syndicate to improve our buying power would work. Please could you send me some details.

Thank you

Abbey
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 21/02/2011 10:22
 
User is offline RichardHowells
7th Level Poster

Joined: 14/03/2009
Posts: 47

Hi Abbey,

Margins are generally fairly low in the oil distribution industry. The prime savings come from reducing their costs. A small tanker (four wheel) holds about 12,500 litres. A six wheeler about 17,500. If you get enough orders to bring in a tanker - even half a tanker - and empty it quickly, that is a decent cost saving to them. Sadly if you have twice that, they have to either make two trips in one tanker or use two tankers. Either way there is no increased cost saving. That's why sheer size is marginal to getting a better price.

Forming a link with a nearby group may help because, between you, it is easier to get to that full tanker load point. Doubling your buying power will only help a little beyind that point.

With *very* large orders you risk putting suppliers off. If it's going to take them ages to deliver, the price will move in that time, and it may be against them. It becomes a risk they don't want.

May I ask where you are located?

Cheers,

Richard
Agile software mentor, trainer, and developer; part time Oil Syndicate manager!
www.dynamisys.co.uk
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