By Leslie Zawada
July 1, 2010
Golf-loving business people all recognize that golf facilitates business, especially in niche industries. In addition to the joy of polishing the clubs, organizing the golf bag, and perhaps hitting a few drives at the practice range, spring and summer remind us why golf outings continue to be such a positive force in maintaining and growing our businesses. As a Board Member and Golf Chair for the 2010 annual Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Detroit chapter Golf outing, I am pleased to offer numerous reasons for hosting and attending golf outings as a business, networking and charitable giving strategy. Following are the potential benefits of participating in a well-organized, well-attended, industry-focused Golf Outing:
• Promoting the company and the various services it performs
• Building name recognition, both for the company and the individual golfer as a representative of the company
• Uncovering new business opportunities, either immediate or in the foreseeable future
• Generating new clients; developing potential ones
• Receiving and/or making valuable introductions; expanding professional networks
• Reinforcing existing professional relationships; solidifying trust bonds
• Establishing an image as a solid team member; competitive, yet cooperative
• Affirming and strengthening existing relationships; building camaraderie through fun, friendly competition in a gorgeous, outdoor setting
• Retaining loyal customers
• Appreciating clients
• Thanking vendors
• Entertaining business partners
• Rewarding staff; building team spirit; ensuring a more productive, satisfied workforce
• Facilitating personal, face-to-face contact in a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere
• Finding employees, or—possibly—an employer
• Last, but oftentimes first, the opportunity to support a worthwhile charity’s fundraising efforts, especially because many charities rely on the bulk of their funding from golf outing proceeds
It has long been understood in the business world that some of the most profitable business relationships are created and maintained outside the office arena, perhaps most frequently on the golf course. A few may argue that in our e-commerce-driven society, personal contact is no longer necessary to conduct business. Deals are made and business is conducted in cyberspace. While the World Wide Web is an integral part of a successful business, so is knowing the client, realizing their needs, and providing personal attention. The game of golf facilitates this type of personal interaction. Business golf is a tool, an investment—one that can pay off handsomely by providing opportunities more effectively than most other activities can.
The 2010 CREW Detroit 14th Annual Golf Outing was held on June 24, 2010 at The Inn at St. Johns in Plymouth. The event featured more than 100 golfers from many of the fields represented in commercial real estate. A portion of the proceeds supports the CREW Detroit charities of choice: CREWFoundation, the philanthropic arm of CREW Network, and Alternatives For Girls (AFG), a local shelter supporting at-risk girls and young women.
Leslie Zawada is a Senior Project Manager at Giffels-Webster Engineers, Inc. She can be reached at lzawada@giffelswebster.com.