This morning I got an email from Michael Ford, general manager of Sherwood Ice Arena, where I play rec league hockey with the Wild (Green) once a week. At the end of Arena updates and announcements, Michael added this note:
“The other reason I choose to write to all of you is to learn about what you do for a living. The reason I’m asking is because some of you might have a service that the Rink could use. If I have to buy products and services it behooves me to by from some of you doesn’t it? Economic times are tough for all. I want to see if there’s a way I can help a few of you. There’s no promises here, but if you think that you have a product or service that would benefit the Rink please call me sometime and let’s talk.”
Read it again. I sure had to.
If you play all three hockey seasons at Sherwood, you’re dropping just about $1,000 a year at the rink, not to mention the gear and travel and post-game beers and snacks. And here’s the general manager trying to find out if he can buy your product or service. You may be employed and not have products or services the arena could benefit from, but isn’t it nice to know they care? That they would want to support their customers this way?
Not only is this a great example of “behaving ourselves out of this recession” (thanks, Drew McLellan), it’s an example of community building as a marketing strategy at its best.
Here’s to tonight’s fall/winter bronze league season final. Go Wild!
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Great idea! Especially in today’s economy, helping each other out is a great way to do business. Buying from your customers can have another added benefit – they could probably give you a better deal than a stranger. When we help each other out, everyone wins.