Benham Publishing Businesss Magazines February 2014 | Page 29

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words he used his networks. He went out to talk to
people, who knew people who wanted his services
and who could supply him with his equipment.
“People who knew my dad knew he did a good
job, at a good price. He worked on his customer
service and delivered. He knew if he gave great
service then; guess what, they’d tell their
neighbours, the man down the pub, the woman in
the corner shop, the lady at bingo.
“What dad also understood is that if you help
others, you get something back. Give freely and
don’t look for something in return. Just be happy
to have helped another person along the way.

People who knew my
dad knew he did a good
job, at a good price. He
worked on his customer
service and delivered. He
knew if he gave great
service then; guess what,
they’d tell their
neighbours, the man
down the pub, the
woman in the corner
shop, the lady at bingo.

Janet Bebb
Founder and owner of Social Progress

“To me that’s what networking, business
communities, contacts are all about, looking for
ways to help others.

companies have to respond to them. Comments
on Twitter can’t be ignored or removed by
companies.

“So what’s changed in today’s world? Not a great
deal other than the tools we use. We no longer go
down the pub but we do get together through
online social networks and networking events.
We’re building communities online.

“I talked to one company that did not want to go
online because it was concerned about the
complaints that it might generate.

“If you give something, it helps build up those
online relationships and the result is that social
media is having a beneficial effect on business.
“It is allowing businesses to be open, honest and
show their integrity. Businesses which don’t hold
these values can be open to complaints online and

“My response was that they should correct the bad
practices within their company rather than hiding
away. social media is encouraging more
openness.”
It is also moving rapidly. Janet sees Facebook and
Twitter retaining their importance but also points to
the emergence of Google Plus, which she believes
will grow in influence, Pinterest, which is image-

based and Twitter’s Vine service for short videos.
She said: “social media is developing at a fast
pace but, however it develops, the human touch
will remain important.”
Janet is providing a 60 Useful Minutes
session at the Chamber’s Huddersfield
offices 25th February on Google+ What’s all the fuss
about & do I need
it? Read more about
the session and how
to book on page 43.

Winter 2013 CLOSEUP

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