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Dear ,
Last week, I received the following LinkedIn message from one of my
followers:
Hi Nader, I see your posts every day. I read most of them. I understand what you are doing. But I am struggling with why you want to do it? And by “why” I don’t mean the superficial why. I am also interested in how you envision the progress and what the roadmap looks like for this activity to prosper. I am asking to see how I can help, beyond just
“liking”.
Signed,
R.
Well, his message made me really think. Not
because I didn't know the answer but because it made me ponder all the implications.
Maybe you have the same question. I'm not sure.
But this made realize something very important:
When you have a story to tell, tell it.
When you have a vision to share, share it.
When you have a point to make, make it.
You see, what happens is -- no matter what you're selling, a product, service, whatever -- your audience wants to hear your story and, if compelling enough, take the
business journey with you. They want to feel like the're part of your movement. You'll have a much more engaged audience and customer base that way.
Plus, you'll make a much deeper connection with them when you detail your trials and triumphs.
My Vision? My
Story?
The idea for the Coptic Chamber didn't just pop into my head this month, or last, or even last year. The fact is, the Chamber has been a culmination of ideas, experiences and dreams over the last several decades.
Actually, I can even say it started in an informal way about 50 years ago when my father and mother
immigrated to America in 1969 with three boisterous boys in tow, aged eight, six and one (yours truly).
I grew up sitting on my father's lap, watching and listening to him negotiate deal after deal, treating everyone with honesty and fairness. In some cases, too generous, I thought.
He
commanded respect in any room he entered -- whether filled with Copts or non-Copts -- it didn't matter. I remember walking into a real estate office with him in Apollo Beach, Florida, and the owner of the brokerage, greeted him with:
"Good Morning, Mr. Mayor!"
I thought,
huh?
He certainly wasn't the mayor of Apollo Beach, but he had won over so many of the business owners there through his pleasant demeanor and numerous property acquisitions. His Arabic accent never parted him, neither did his drive to help the Coptic community.
I believe that's really how the Coptic Chamber was conceived... through my father's labor, love and passion for helping Copts in the community. I recall how Coptic
business owners of all kinds would drop by our house in Holmdel, NJ. -- at all times of the day or night (sometime unannounced). His door was always open.
They would seek his counsel, often on whether they should enter a certain business venture alone, with a partner or stay away completely. And whatever words he uttered were generally accepted as
gospel.
Dear friend, it truly was a sight to see. I am forever indebted to what my father taught me during the 33 years of my life that he was living. Many in the Coptic community call him a legend. I can't disagree but I just called him, "Baba."
My father, Fouad Anis, passed away in 2001 at the
age of 68, after suffering from congestive heart failure.
But his legacy lives on and this Chamber is not just some business venture for me. It's a way to honor my father and carry on the important work of helping, building and encouraging Coptic business owners.
There's more to tell, I suppose, but I'll leave it here for now. More about
vision at another time.
So, what about you? What's your story and how can you communicate it to your customers or clients?
It matters. It creates a bond.
Just like the one you and I
have.
If you have any comments, ideas or suggestions, please email me at: nader@copticchamber.com
P.S. The photo you see above is of my father with the Thrice-Blessed Pope Shenouda III, whom he know quite well. He's the 3rd person in from the left, with the white and gray stripped
tie.
Until next time...
Your friend,
