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| Critical Information and a Request, Re: The GRA Networking Program - Oct. 27, 2004 |
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Introduction
There's exciting news about the GRA Networking Program!
This correspondence will be the most comprehensive (and most important) to date on the subject. I fervently request that you read it in its entirety. The few minutes required to read, digest and respond to the contents will be a sound investment.
Progress and Target Date
Last month, I circulated a memorandum outlining where the project stood, with the memo targeting sometime in November for the initial launch. Further behind-the-scenes work over the last month has kept the November target pretty much intact.
A General Description of the Networking Program
I've made frequent mention of the Networking Program in past months. In fact, some clients already have had successful involvement with it. When fully up and running, this activity will contribute significantly to the uniqueness I want all GRA services to represent. If this is the outcome, it will also be an aspect of these activities from which clients have an ability to derive substantial benefit.
The program's goal is simple enough. It is to serve as a clearing house for getting appropriate parties together in appropriate situations. "Appropriate situation" means primarily an instance where a mutually profitable business opportunity could evolve.
I am fortunate to have an existing client base spanning a wide spectrum of vocational backgrounds and achievement (and avocational ones, too.) In addition, this base possesses significant geographic distribution, including Asia, Canada and Europe.
Many people are involved in the financial services area, but many are not, which I think great. It increases diversity. In the long run, diversity increases interest, interest increases traffic, and traffic accrues to everyone's benefit.
Examples of opportunities that will exist in other areas would be, say, getting help in planning a fly-fishing trip to Montana, or helping a student from your alma mater secure a summer internship. The possibilities are extensive.
The Role of the GRA Website
The Gillespie Research Website will provide a critical operating platform for the venture's effectiveness and anticipated success. In addition, in due course, we will make available to program participants the ability to input material directly to the website. More on this later.
The website's navigation bar contains a "Networking" link. To date, this link has accessed only a brief description of the program. Within the next two weeks, this will change.
It is important for participants to see how everything will come together and operate. Towards this end, we will begin loading the Networking Program's operating platform. I will put out another memo when the process has begun, so you can go have a look at what is there.
What you see will not be the final version, just some initial templates. We very much want and encourage comments and suggestions. Moreover, while you will find some generic classifications, be aware that this is not necessarily a complete list. So if you think your particular contribution is not covered by what is there, worry not!
Representative Areas of Expertise, Etc.
The following list represents broad areas in which people have expressed an interest in making contributions. The list is not all-inclusive, and entries are in alphabetical order:
* Accounting
* Brokerage (Retail/Institutional)
* Business Consulting (Various Areas)
* College & University Matters
* Computer/Technology Consulting (Various Areas)
* Financial and Tax Planning
* Foreign Exchange
* Investment Research (Various Areas)
* Law
* Managed Options Programs
* Mergers & Acquisitions
* Real Estate
* Registered Investment Advisors
* Thoroughbred Horse Breeding
* Travel and Leisure
* Trust and Estate Services
As mentioned earlier, goods or services do not have to relate directly to financial services, and I would very much like as broad representation as possible outside this area.
Interactivity and Linking to Your Own Website
Although this feature will not be immediately available, in time -- probably not much time, however -- participants will have the ability to access the GRA website and control the material on the site that pertains to them. Over time, the flexibility this affords should prove exceptionally valuable.
In addition, for participants having their own website, the ability will exist to display an active link between the GRA website and their site -- again, a feature that should prove of significant value.
Bulletin Board
Something else I envision that will be very helpful in pulling the Networking Program together will be some variety of bulletin board. This feature remains in the "thinking stage," so if you have any ideas in this area, by all means, please share them.
Confidentiality
Although divulging one's identity lends itself to a more efficient give and take between and among participants, there are ways a participant's identity can be omitted until a search has reached a later stage. Therefore, if anonymity is a concern, do not summarily exclude yourself from the project's next stage.
Your Critical Role at This Juncture
(NOTE: Please direct responses either via e-mail to drgillespiesr@aol.com or to the GRA website's Contact Us link.
At this time, I need you to do the following:
(1) Let me know if you would like to be included. If you have done so in the past, please do so again.
(2) If you would like to be included, please send me a short description of the service or product involved.
(3) In conjunction with number two above, as well as the earlier list, if you do not see a generic description that you think properly describes your area of expertise, please provide one.
(4) Please feel highly encouraged to share any comments or ideas you have. Remember, too, that when we begin loading material in the website's "Networking" section, your thoughts and comments will be essential to a good, finished product.
I am very excited about the potential this project possesses; I hope the recipients of this memo will share my enthusiasm. Actually, I hope very much you will add to my enthusiasm via your responses.
Many thanks and best wishes,
Doug Gillespie
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