Walking the Talk or Doing Business Right
Sometimes opportunity strikes from the most unlikely of sources.
Ideas come to fruition from adversity, and that goal of yours becomes a reality quicker.
So it is with the launch on Saturday May 1 of my new venture the SRM Group, a business I co-founded with a great strategy and marketing guy, Troy Claus. Our mantra is simple – ethics over profits.
Working with clients of all sizes, every single one will receive the same care, honesty, expertise and one-to-one attention that every business deserves.
No charging extra to the bigger clients “because they can afford it”, and no short-changing smaller clients with less of a service “because they don’t pay as much as the bigger ones.”
Every strategy that’s put in place will be ones that we would use ourselves. Every piece of business advice that we give will be advice that we would adhere to ourselves. Basically, we’ll walk the talk we give our clients and for one simple reason - we care because you care.
And because our complete approach will be built around being socially responsible, we’ll be giving back with every project we work on. Whether it’s free non-profit workshops in our local community, or donating 5% of our profits to the 12for12k charity initiative, it’s our way of supporting the world around us.
Clients benefit too, by giving back automatically through project fees when working with us without the need to set up their own programs – something that our existing clients are really happy to be part of.
As I said at the start of this post, opportunity strikes from the most unlikely of sources. My recent ill health allowed me the time to assess where my focus wanted to be, and that led to the birth of the SRM Group. Thankfully, I have an amazing business partner and co-founder in Troy who shares exactly the same values and ethics.
There are many ways to do business, but to me there’s only one way to do it right. The SRM Group will always work to that mantra. If you’re interested in working with a business that puts ethics before profits and you before us, get in touch with us today.
It’s not just smart marketing – it’s simply the right way to do business.
- The SRM Group website launches 12.00 noon eastern on Saturday May 1, 2010. In the meantime, you can connect with us on Twitter @SRMgroup.
43 Responses to “Walking the Talk or Doing Business Right”
Hey there Arik,
Cheers fella, appreciate that – definitely exciting times ahead, and looking forward to the challenge and adventure
You and Troy are being Beacons! If this is what your heart whispered, then it’s most definitely the way to go. Congratulations!! You’re both very inspiring …
.-= Sally G.´s most recent blog post …What I really meant to say … =-.Thanks Sally – Troy is a good guy and really looking forward to seeing what lies ahead.
Way to go Danny! I know this will be a great adventure and sharing experience for you and your clients. I like the way you have shared most of the steps along the path to the launch.
Inspiration. Truth. Promising.
@nakeva
.-= Nakeva´s most recent blog post …Mobile Pic: Preview for @VGDAdesign #NewCreatives Launch Event Photos =-.Hey there Nakeva,
Thank you – one of the things we want to do is share as much as we can (clients permitting) on what we hope will be really cool ways to do business
Great idea.
And I sure hope its going to work out alright.
Can’t wait to hear the first reports about you activities and projects with SRM.
If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.Thanks Tom, and will do!
Hi Danny. Wishing you the best on your new venture – it sounds very promising and always nice to read ethics over profits. I’ve just finished “No Logo” which has certainly changed my opinions on corporate ethics.
.-= Barney Austen´s most recent blog post …Two pages to shape your business =-.Hey there Barney,
Is that the Naomi Klein book? Hearing great things about that, need to add to my reading list.
Hi Danny
Yup that’s the one. Written a while ago, but it’s message is still very relevant. Well worth the read.
The launch of a new project always very exciting! Ethics before profits, simple but idea that unfortunately not all companies embrace.One of the reasons I started working with my current client. The best of luck to you and your partner.
Giving Back – would love to help out with the give back aspect. Charitychoice has several programs that can be incorporated and customized to help SRM with this initiative and there is no charge. Some of the 12 for 12k charities are already on our list. Lots of programs including the newest converting reward points for charity can help increase support.
Let me know if we can lend a hand in setting up some dynamic ways of complimenting your 12 for 12k initiative.Hey there Mati,
Thank you. Charitychoice seems an interesting option – will definitely be checking it out, and thanks again
Hi Danny
You use a lot of words that have been missing in many areas of business. Words such as “ethics” “values” and “care”. One of my own personal favourites that I would add to your list is “integrity”.
I think one of the great things (and power) about social media is that is increasingly allowing people who share those same things to find each other come together, create a movement and a new reality that will become the norm.
Won’t it be lovely when the norm in business are those values and when the “business at any cost” appraoch is eradicated.
Wishing you every success with your new venture.
.-= Ali Davies´s most recent blog post …Does Luck Really Exist? =-.Couldn’t agree more, Ali. Integrity is the separator between just doing business, and doing it right for everyone involved. Something we’ll strive to every day.
Cheers, miss!
Hey DannyBrown <3!
As usual you ROCK! Thank you so much for the inspiration; reminders to keep the ultimte focus on what REALLY matters in the big picture.
"… If nothing else it ought to start with being personal" (Kathleen Kelly: you,ve got mail)
Welcome back in a BIG WAY! … PBG (TroubleTree)Great quote there from Kathleen, Pamela – something to keep in mind each and every day.
I’m always interested to see what times of crisis provoke in people. And so your venture, emerging from your time of illness, sounds awesome. Maybe that was its purpose?
Also, I think it’s terrific to see someone put as big a focus on giving as on getting from a business opportunity. So refreshing. I wish you every success with it – you deserve it!
.-= Christine Livingston´s most recent blog post …New Work Pioneers Reframe Success =-.Definitely, Christine. I once wrote a blog post about Stephen Hawking, and how his whole life was shaped by adversity. If I can come even a tiny bit close to how much he’s achieved, I’ll be more than happy.
Cheers!
Congrats, Danny!!! Fantastic business model.
.-= Nikki Stephan´s most recent blog post …HAPPO Feature: Recent PR Grad Courtney Curran =-.Thanks Nikki, really looking forward to it. And love the title of your last blog post – so great to see HAPPO continue to get traction
Congrats my friend. I know your new venture will be a huge success. Can’t wait to see what all you do with it too.
Cheers mate – excited to see where it takes us. And of course, looking forward to a certain other project soon
Danny,
In the short period of time I have been following you I have enjoyed your insights and how truly transparent you are. The model sounds awesome, and certainly fits the brand you have been building for yourself. My company has always given back to the community and your vision takes it to a different level. Keep “paying it forward” and best of luck.
Roy
Hey there Roy,
Thanks for the kind words, fella, really appreciated. Sounds like you’re already ahead of the game when it comes to socially responsible – looking forward to finding out more of what you do.
Danny,
Great news and congratulations! What a great compliment to your skills and influence. I can’t wait to see your successes, and the impact you make with your clients.
Rachel Kay
Thanks Rach – if we can be half as successful as you’ve made RKPR while smiling along the way, then I’ll consider it job done
Congratulations Danny – This looks incredible and I couldn’t be happier for you. I can’t wait to see all of your future success, you are truly an inspiration. Cheers!
.-= Matt Cheuvront´s most recent blog post …Why You Should Run, Not Walk, and Hire Bethany Rae Cramer Today – #HAPPO =-.Cheers mate. Looks like I’m not the only one with exciting things this week, though?
Here’s to you and your new wife’s future, bud
I love it…every bit of it. And it’s going to be huge because you’re one of the few people I know, that without a doubt in my mind, would honestly and wholeheartedly pursue such an endeavor.
Cheers to your health, and your success in coming years.
.-= David Spinks´s most recent blog post …A Problem With Twitter Chats? =-.Hey David,
Cheers fella, sincerely. Appreciate your friendship and support, and here’s to many more years of that ahead
Very exciting news, Danny! What a way to turn this year around. Love it. Best of luck to you and Troy. Can’t wait to hear more.
.-= Jennifer Wilbur´s most recent blog post …rockstarjen: RT @jayesun: The top 3 #socialmedia tools/sites used by SMBs: http://bit.ly/cbeduX #mrktg Hint, this is being sent by one of them. =-.Certainly makes for better reading than doctor’s waiting rooms, Jen – cheers!
Danny, good luck with your latest venture! I’m glad to hear something good came out of the bad. I hope other businesses follow your lead. You truly embody what thought leadership is about.
Best wishes to you (and Troy) for much success!
–Coreen
.-= Coreen´s most recent blog post …Kia scores an advertising Koup—without saying a word =-.Hey there Coreen,
Thank you – weird how some things happen. Looking forward to making up for lost time, though
Congratulations Danny. In the short time I’ve been following you, you have shared a lot of heart. Best wishes on your new venture. I hope you find that doing good helps you do well.
.-= Adine´s most recent blog post …Ye Olde Insurance Policy =-.Thanks Adine – your comment makes all that I do worthwhile, hopefully I can continue to try and do things right. Feel free to pull me up if I stray mind you
How many iterations did you go through to settle on the name of this company? And, did I miss something or are you no longer at Maritz?
Mazel tov, by the way!
.-= Ari Herzog´s most recent blog post …22 Questions You Asked Me — and My Answers =-.Just the one, good sir – it seemed such a natural fit that it had to be the name.
Yep, Maritz was an in-house contract for 6 months. Enjoyed my time there, but looking forward to being in he driving seat again, so to speak.
Cheers to you too, bud
Congratulations with your new venture! Awesome! Great, and all that stuff. I am looking forward to seeing you and Troy to kick some business butt (in a socially responsible way, of course).
Cheers mateOf course mate, and thanks!
Have to get together soon over a beer and wings
Danny, all the best on your new venture. You are someone who truly understands social media and you should do really well. All the best my friend.
.-= Rob Cairns´s most recent blog post …Protecting Yourself From Email Scams =-.Thanks Rob. Hopefully I can keep understanding – there’s some crazy stuff out there
Congratulations, Danny. I know it’s probably been a tough last few weeks, but I’m looking forward to watching you thrive in the months and years ahead. Here’s to an exciting future, sir!
@arikhanson
.-= Arik Hanson´s most recent blog post …18 non-PR blogs for PR pros =-.