What is a business-category-exclusive leads group?

Many leads groups offer "business-category-exclusivity". However, not all groups have the same definition of business-category-exclusivity. There are different variations of this definition. Some groups allow a member to occupy a single business category, and this simply prevents anyone else in the group to talk about that business category. Another take on business-category-exclusivity is a member has a business category (ex. residential realtor) and no one else in the group can join who is a residential realtor. The goal in SHE Leads Group for offering business-category-exclusivity in up to two business categories is to eliminate as much overlap as possible. Let's look at these scenarios more closely.

One example of a group who truly doesn't offer business-category-exclusivity is when there are two businesses doing the same thing, but each focuses on different target markets. For example, if you are a residential realtor, no one else should be in the group who is a residential realtor. Some groups will fracture or dissect these business categories. For example, a group could claim to offer business category exclusivity, but will allow one residential realtor who focuses on investment properties, while allowing another member who is a residential realtor who focuses on homeowner occupied properties. This is not really business-category-exclusivity, as both are residential realtors. Neither one will refer to each other. 

Another example of fractured business-category-exclusivity is when someone offers a variety of core services, and they can only pick one of those core services as their business category. A financial planner is not just a financial planner, they also sell life insurance and long-term care insurance. In groups where they fracture these business categories, two financial planners could be allowed in the group - one as the financial planner and one as the insurance person. Neither one will refer to the other.

Another example is a business owner who does branding, graphic design and web design. All three of these services may pull in an equal number of sales for the designer. But, in some groups, the designer can only take one of those business categories, thus allowing in direct competitors. This is fracturing or dissecting of business categories.

In SHE Leads Group, we do not dissect or fracture business categories, nor do we want a direct competitor coming in that conflicts with an existing member's core service. In fact, members get to have a say in new members joining, so if they do see a prospective member as a major conflict or competition, they can voice their objection to the prospective member joining. Furthermore, members can secure two business categories as long as those categories directly relate to each other and/or both are a major portion of their revenue. If a member starts to offer what another member has already paid for and secured as their business category, that member will be reminded to not talk about that product or service offering within the leads group.

In any leads group one joins, there will always be overlap in business categories. If a leads group tried to eliminate 100% of overlap, it would probably have a group of only a half a dozen people and few, if any power partners. What a leads group can do to ensure less conflict, is remind members who overstep and talk about another member's paid business category and let them know they cannot mention that business category.

If you have questions about business-category-exclusivity, please feel free to contact SHE Leads Group.