Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

PM Community (PMC) is a specialty Professional Marketing Organization that serves independent professional business advisors to the Small & Midsize Business (SMB) community throughout North America.  It is headquartered in Boston and has local operating affiliates in virtually every state, county and province.  

PMC is not just a PMO; it is uniquely configured not sell any products solely a bundled services program, i.e. a proprietary marketing system that features “Local Channel Marketing”™ for licensed members-only. (more fully explained below)

PM Community.org has two, and only two, benefits. Firstly, membership immediately makes the professional a more valuable resource to her/his existing clients.  Secondly, each professional is positioned to acquire new clients—by doing nothing—except being available to help when called upon.

PMC’s roots date back to before the TRA of 1986 when its principals ran a regional investment banking boutique that housed attorneys, CPAs, valuation experts, consultants, bankers & brokers alike, all independents under one roof...for the purpose of assisting whomever's client may need it.

In 2004, PM originally stood for Project Management (our senior staff composition), then PM was enlarged in 2007 to mean Peer Membership (as we closed our doors to the public) and finally, in 2010, PM grew to mean Professional Marketing (our sole function). Today, we actually embrace all three meanings.

Likely to join are local advisors in virtually any discipline including attorneys, accountants, auditors, engineers, business brokers and investment bankers, valuation and tax experts, project managers, business analysts, or anyone who can add value to a new unrepresented client...whenever called upon.

Starting backwards, the term “marketing” relates to all activities that facilitate relationship building between sellers & buyers prior to the selling process; the term “channel” is borrowed from the selling-chain and relates to the avenues where sellers and buyers originate; and “local” means the immediate marketplace where sellers, buyers can interact with each other, even face-to-face.

As constructed, this program focuses on the crucial initiation stages of relationship marketing and is actually oblivious to brand. To us, “Positioning” is our first and most import marketing phase; it leads into “Netweaving” (like-minded pros meet collaborate) and ultimately into “Rainmaking.” 

Demand-based, value-facilitating, into proper channels as expeditiously as possible.

As constructed LCM is designed not to be all-inclusive, rather simply lean and agile. Since PMC does not have clients (only members) we concentrate on cross-discipline channels to extract likely/logical matches for most timely client-solutions. 

The short answer is yes … and the reason why our program works so well!  Lawyers help accountants who help consultants who help project managers who help business brokers who help bankers who help system engineers who help trust officers who help business analysts who help integration…ETC.

A member of our outbound staff (led by an assigned BRM and sometimes with our local County Coordinator of record) makes a timely selection of who is the best available match to fill the need at hand.  Additionally, an alternate match is usually selected and put into the next priority cue.

Ultimately, the decision rests with the assigned BRM who has analyzed incoming requirements and confirmed match-dynamics with the referring member. Our firm 24-hour placement rule [in] and 48- hour [out] assures that referrals move through the marketing distribution cycle in a very expeditious manner.

By design, our program requires PMC to work behind-the-scenes.  This ensures members won’t be bothered by less than serious advisors. By closing all the doors and windows, members are protected from those who couldn’t/didn’t qualify to join PMC and those with less than engagement-ready clients.

Basically, the usual profile info with references.  Suffice it to say, the community requires sufficient information to ensure that every candidate is deserving of joining existing members.  Members rely on members. Referrals made to cross-disciple colleagues must be met/filled as expeditiously as possible.

Cyberspace is anything but a safe environment.  Our members deal with each other in a highly secure and trusted environment. The community goes the extra mile by only allowing/inviting qualified, trust-worthy and proven competent professionals in the first place.  Confidentiality is job #1; the public seldom knows who needs help nor those fortunate enough to get the opportunity to serve new clients.  

Frankly, our connections are made offline. Members cannot contact other members unless they’ve had previous contact with each other. All (new) contact to discuss potential assignments/projects must be “processed” through an assigned Business Relationship Manager…who diligently analyzes every case. 

No, this is the second reason why independent professionals and partners/associates in small firms decide to join. The primary reason is to provide access to a tremendous local talent pool that instantly makes them more valuable resources to their existing clientele.  Unquestionably, being able to serve other members’ clients-in-need also happens to be an excellent (often lucrative) reason to join.

PM Community’s business model has been evolving since 2004. The original thrust was to bring professional Project Managers together with their Project Worker counterparts, i.e. those advisors who could/should be temporarily engaged to help needy client to complete a project. Local outsourcing happens all the time in every marketplace--as long there are clients needing value-added services.

Precisely.  Our mission hasn’t changed but the business model has had numerous iterations to arrive at its current state. Advisors like CPAs, attorneys, etc. don’t think in terms of projects. They think in terms of new-client assignments or cases. But, in fact, they can all be temporary project workers.

The earliest model was going to be web-based model serving everyone with clients who need help from time-to-time. This was a seriously flawed model because the internet is fraught with so many suspicious types that few would want to do business with. This is a “clearinghouse” model impossible to screen out the bad guys, let alone finding the best pros that offer the highest value.

Headquarters, aka admin, is located in Boston MA. We house staff professionals, intake personnel, Business Relation Managers and support staffs. Each state has (will have) one State Director. Each county (USA) and province (CA) has (will have) at least one and probably several County Coordinators (in various disciplines--as balanced as possible).

An SD manages all the CCs in her/his state and reports of PMC. CC's are volunteers who act as a liaison between candidates and PMC and helps BRMs distribute free leads and infrequently referrals in the local area.

SDs are either PMC employees or entrepreneurial contractors. CC's are strictly volunteers and totally devoid of any legal standing or authority of any kind. The latter simply help PMC disseminate general information or answer questions about our community. Each retains the assigned title for only a year before grooming a replacement.  

This is a volunteer position where a Charter Member agrees to help promulgate the “good news” within her/his local area. The primary function is to answer emails from local member-candidates and to help the community’s Business Relation Manager (BRM) whenever called upon.

Essentially, SDs oversee all County Coordinators (CC) within the state. She/he is a Charter Member who may have been a CC at first--but because of superior performance was asked to "take over" statewide duties.  (This is not a voluntary basis; it is competitively compensated.)

This has been asked & answered before. Yes, PMC has both management and governance internally and externally. At the local level, we have "feet on the street" in the personage of a CC.  Additionally, the VP of Membership and his staff make periodic trips to virtually every major market...on a rotational basis...throughout the year. 

Of course—but beyond a straightforward “Code of Conduct” (in large measure mirroring members’ various Canon of Ethics, we have little else beyond our Community Membership Agreement (CMA) and Marketing License Agreement (MLA).  For the most part, members generally self-regulate.

Certainly not that we are aware of!  PMC believes it complies with all major groups and organizations. Some of these are our Affinity Partners whose members we may extend discounts. Virtually all of our members belong to one or several organizations and associations.

From the standpoint of business professionals having a common or generally similar interest, the answer may be a qualified yes.  But, legally we are not an association. PMC is a private marketing organization that has developed a unique framework through which it facilitates a proprietary marketing program for SMB advisor-members.

Like the members we serve, PMC is privately-owned and funded so there is little public information available, deliberately. Our community is not about personalities. It is about members' clients being better served. Members get our “Insiders Info” blog which provides access to everything they need-to-know about community principals, management, operations, policies, futures, etc.

PMC does not ever participate in any member-client’s transaction. We do not want, nor will we accept, any commission, fee split, finder’s fee or other form of compensation.  

Members deal with members. [An assigned BRM facilitates the connection process.] They alone decide what’s best for their common client. PMC never knows if/when a deal takes place--or if members have connected in the first place. 

Our founding principals have worked with many of the top intermediary consultants, valuation, tax and mid-market investment bankers in the industry.  

Many of these are members waiting to serve/help you in order to optimize your clients’ positions in whatever transfer venue would be best, an internal or external market transaction, public auction, sealed bid format, leveraged recapitalization, ESOP, and so on.  

Short answer: why not?  

The assumption is that your client has built a business of substance and probably made some excellent decisions along the way. Let him interview one or more members who you think can help him the most, and then let him decide (with your sage counsel, of course). 

Easy, thank the SME for her/his time and move onto the next! Or, if already engaged, have your client fire her/him if that’s the right thing to do.

Just because it may be a PMC member doesn’t mean that your client should get lesser services than he's deserving of. As the referring advisor-member, you start out as a captain of project team. Where it goes from there is up to you. 

Short answer: possibly.  

Long answer: this could be the case providing you—as the referring advisor—elect to stay in control. Usually, it is what’s best for the client that should be the deciding factor. The beauty of a PMC collaboration is that everyone’s starts out on the same page, working in a professionally collegial manner for a “common” client. 

Probably not—at the same time. A BA performs requisite exploratory tests/studies on the business. Then, if a PM is needed because the undertaking is substantial, it only makes sense to get the best local PM available to work with you and whomever else YOU deem is needed. (You’re in control.) 

Value-added is supposed to mean that cost is irrelevant.

Firstly, a baseline business analysis, SWOT or other analyses, is not a terribly expensive exercise; and, since it would be performed on a value-added basis, there can’t be any cost—only value-added.

From there, you (as the referring advisor-member) control where/what to do next, if anything. 

First of all, exposure isn’t needed. 

PMC never learns any client identity specifics—only enough about what the member can reveal re: true requirements.  If she/he doesn’t know what the client really needs (this is common), PMC has certified Business Analyst members ready to assist. 

http://pmcommunity.org/FAQ is the best place to start—after reading through the rest of the website. The "Insider Blog" is how most SD, CC and members get to know the latest news.  By the 2nd quarter 2011, a sister website will be put up to facilitate confidential info/chat/mobi/ between & among all folks in the community!

Short answer: our marketing function is done.  

There is no reason for the community to stay involved—we are precluded from participating beyond the marketing cycle, i.e. having anything to do with actual transactions or selling events. Members deal with members—there's no middleman involvement or interference—and thus never any commissions either!  

In the real world, this happens all the time. It's easily solved by the referring member stating that she/he will be in touch.

Of course, the referring member should immediately contact her/his BRM for the next best-matched solution provider. Members believe in the Golden Rule: whoever has the client-in-need has the gold, and therefore is entitled to control the referral process! 

Short answer: duh?! Once notification is made by the assigned BRM, PMC cedes control of the process to its referring members to interview and unilaterally decide the future of her/his client. PMC never knows who the member-clients are, nor, if/when our members (elect to) bond—aka netweave—for the common client’s betterment.

In fairness to all remaining members, a non-member must be treated like anyone outside the community, especially re: processed referrals going ONLY to fellow members.

This is why many members join in the first place—to gain exclusive access to new business opportunities. “Exceptions” do not & should not apply. (If one did sit out and reapply, she would be subject to vetting/intake all over again as well.)

Ouch! In such event, the decision has to be made why the programmed Local Channel Marketing™ effort isn’t working. If no satisfactory answer is forthcoming, a member can always opt-out and spend her/his marketing dollars elsewhere.

This could happen. And, if it did, a discount request for the following year may be in order...through one's County Coordinator.  

Quick answer: extremely easy to stop; not so much to start.

Starting the membership process requires reference checking and vetting. If one stops/terminates for any reason, but, there is a statutory three-year elimination period before being allowed to reapply for membership—and new intake charges would apply.

Positively--especially when there's pent-up demand for given discipline. It's more realistic to look toward mid-later quarters in the first year. Unlike other marketing venues, PMC continues to proactively initiate marketing campaigns (reset) every 90-days. 

Processed needs (submitted by member to help solve a client problem) can ONLY go to another registered PMC member.

Why? To protect the integrity of the community referral system. Non-members are precluded from receiving new-business referrals when processed by PMC. (If not processed, members can always do whatever is best for their clients.)

Of course. If multiple candidates register (separately but simultaneous--during same day), each is entitled to a discount (in the form of a future marketing fee credit), that is up to a maximum of 6 pros in the same firm.  

If more than six, no one is eligible to join -- without petitioning VP of Membership who reviews matters on a case-by-case basis. If only one joins and others elect not to, no discount/credit would apply. 

PMC requires a very short period of time to start the Netweaving process between existing members.

If we do not have a suitable solution provider immediately available, we diligently “attack” the appropriate channel in the market. Search period is confined to a very tight timeframe—with efforts redoubling each day. If no insider-provider is found as soon as needed, referring member may look outside—without violating community policies ... with approval of her BRM of record.

If all of these orgs combined can provide you with a “full” practice (booked/scheduled 2,000 hours), you would not “need” our community services.  

The possible exception may be that you wish to upgrade your clientèle with higher quality (HNW) clients. Otherwise, there's no reason to join.

Short answer: yes. PMC has no hidden charges, commissions, success fees, etc.

[a] Just a one-time Intake Fee and [b] monthly Marketing Fees. Since our mandate is to only “Add Value,” we must provide quality marketing services—or, in the alternative, we should not charge anything. Members can always opt-out at any time.

Registration (Intake) Fee is always 100% refundable within the first 30 days. Prepaid Marketing Fees are also refundable during the first month ... no questions asked. 

If you want out, opt-out via email or a call to our Concierge, Katie, who can purge your account with one keystroke if you ask her.

Candidly, our membership is large and gets larger daily. We are best equipped to process new applications via our secure PayPal facility—which accepts all the major credit cards.

However, if one is that concerned about online payment, the alternative is to prepay the entire full year sum via business or personal check sent to: Registration Desk, ATTN: Membership Intake, PO Box 121212, Boston, MA 02112-1212.

PMC embraces this doctrine as much as than any other professional organization.  

This said, members alone determine their own pricing between/among themselves. PMC is never involved in; nor do we even know what is charged. The unwritten rule is that all services tendered must represent genuine value-add for the client. 

There is no absolute pricing rule or formula. Like all member services, level of work is determined as the requirements become known.  

Some analysts work on a fixed price or set schedule (tight parameters) but the majority bill by the hour. A rudimentary SWOT may be free or cost a few hundred dollars. (FYI—PMC uses a modified SWOT during member-intake, i.e. SW only.) 

Sadly, no. Attorneys dominate the most markets followed by accountants, insurance and financial services professionals. Even management consultants (generalists) outnumber project managers at this stage of the game.

Hopefully, all markets will "balance out" over time...because the healthiest clustered market would have a solid representation among all SMB advisory disciplines.

Short answer: exceptionally well.  Often a trusted-advisor may not be able to define or adequately determine what should be done for her/his client to achieve optimum results. On a short-term basis, nothing would be better than to engage a credentialed BA to perform a SWOT analysis and more if/as required.

We're always on the lookout for credentialed BAs (especially those with PMP after their names!).

Yes.  The average SMB deal (between $5-25 Million) takes, on average, 18 months...at least that's the most publicized cycle.

The right professionals working in concert toward the same goal can easily half that time-frame. Every deal is different and the parties involved are unique, but it's commonsense that when a major project is properly scoped & uses/deploys superior talent throughout the deal, optimum results occur.

PM Community has few rules and regulations—by design. Our members already have enough to abide by with their discipline and state regs.

The few that we do have are meant to protect the membership at large from misconduct or unfair advantage by an individual.  Read our Code of Conduct and our Community Membership Agreement carefully. They say it all regarding acceptable member behavior. 

Yes, you are wrong. Members can continue to cluster, netweave and make referrals with or without PMC.  

It's only those clients that are processed through PMC (with BRM involvement) that must go to other members. Why? To protect the integrity of Local Channel Marketing™ —in fairness to every member in the community.

The answer depends on the factors at hand, starting with the particular client-needs.

Some areas/counties have more members than others; some may not have a solid-match available (standing by) and this initiates an emergence search for the assigned BRM and the CC of record. FYI—we don't rest until the need is satisfied!

The member always has the election to refer her/his client to whomever can add the most value in the shortest time possible.

If that means going direct to the street, great, as long as the client is best served. If, however, the right solution is not at hand, Local Channel Marketing™ is the best solution we know that works terrifically for all involved—especially the client in need.

This is a serious breach of trust against one's fellow members.

Should anyone knowingly get outsiders involved in community business, the penalty is immediate membership termination and permanent ban from using Local Channel Marketing.™ This is how important this one rule is to all of us in the community.

In a perfect world, there is nothing wrong with referrals that are gratuitously passed along to a more suitable service provider.  

However, members are honor-bound to keep processed referrals between members only. To do otherwise is to undermine the trust that members pledge to each other when they join and agree to participate in our exclusive marketing program. 

Fortunately, most counties are parochial in nature and word gets out. (PMC has several CCs in any given marketplace who pay attention to community business.)

We don't have to "police" anyone/area; members do it for us/themselves! 

To ensure that all of our members remain on a level playing field, PMC has a firm 6-max policy.  

Beyond this metric, a firm should have ample resources available to provide marketing for their partners and associates alike. Exceptions do apply—and they are all handled by our VP of Membership (VPmembership@PMcommunity.org)

FYI: Affinity Partnering is welcomed as long as the value-added criteria to membership at large is prominent!

PMC is all about teams and teamwork. When unrelated teams form in cross-disciplines, this is called "clustering." Common clients served by clusters tend to get substantially better service! 

When teams (max 6) or clusters (unlimited) join concurrently on the same date, a MIN-discount of $50 and MAX-discount of $150 PER CANDIDATE may apply. Details would be promulgated at time of Intake/Registration.

Absolutely. In fact, as of 1-1-11, all member-candidates must be “sponsored” (recommended) by a local member—usually a colleague in one’s immediate market and approved by the County Coordinator of record.

In counties where CCs have not been appointed, our Membership Committee would likely waive this requirement. (Referrals may warrant $50 credit to both the referrer and the referree...providing the candidate's registration reflects the referrer's name.)

This has been an on-again/off-again project throughout our reorg. Happily, this uncomp'd "labor of love" is back again as of July 2010.

Members are welcomed to "volunteer" to help the community in this regard. We actually have 3 divisions requiring Moderators: CW (community-wide) Discipline/Profession; IC (in-county) Discipline/Profession; and CW/IC member at large (general, no industry relation). If interested, contact your local CC or maito: admin@PMcommunity.org with "BLOG" on the subject line.

The answer requires a crystal ball.  No one can accurately predict how many/few referrals may come to a given member regardless of whether it’s the first or tenth year.  Logically speaking, the more proactive a member is on the demand-side, i.e. more she/he refers clients in need, the more clusters would result—with referrals sure to follow.  Think: Positioning > then Netweaving > then Rainmaking. The answer requires a crystal ball.  No one can accurately predict how many/few referrals may come to a given member regardless of whether it’s the first or tenth year.  Logically speaking, the more proactive a member is on the demand-side, i.e. more she/he refers clients in need, the more clusters would result—with referrals sure to follow.  Think: Positioning > then Netweaving > then Rainmaking.

Short answer: yes.  Longer answer: Members alone decide whether it is appropriate to proceed with each other.  While we carefully attempt to screen and qualify each member, we do not ever warrant or guarantee any member or her/his future performance.   Short answer: yes.  Longer answer: Members alone decide whether it is appropriate to proceed with each other.  While we carefully attempt to screen and qualify each member, we do not ever warrant or guarantee any member or her/his future performance.  

We are no more liable or responsible for individual behavior than any other marketing venue. If anyone needs that sort of guarantee, PMC has plenty of insurance members willing to step forward and help—in their due course of business, naturally.  (Trust, but always verify.) We are no more liable or responsible for individual behavior than any other marketing venue. If anyone needs that sort of guarantee, PMC has plenty of insurance members willing to step forward and help—in their due course of business, naturally.  (Trust, but always verify.)

At the risk of splitting hairs, PM Community does not get involved in the selling or transactional processes. Rather, our marketing is designed to bring like-minded professionals together by furnishing them with the right information—upon which they (alone) may elect to go forward.  Our function is completed and totally ceases if/as/when members themselves elect to “netweave.”   At the risk of splitting hairs, PM Community does not get involved in the selling or transactional processes. Rather, our marketing is designed to bring like-minded professionals together by furnishing them with the right information—upon which they (alone) may elect to go forward.  Our function is completed and totally ceases if/as/when members themselves elect to “netweave.”  

PMC is not an HR firm, not a CSO, BPO or any other type company that would be construed as filling an employment function. PM Community is a private Professional Marketing Organization (PMO) that performs a specialized marketing function for its members within their local Small Business communities.  We work on flat fees and never accept commission or contingency work. PMC is not an HR firm, not a CSO, BPO or any other type company that would be construed as filling an employment function. PM Community is a private Professional Marketing Organization (PMO) that performs a specialized marketing function for its members within their local Small Business communities.  We work on flat fees and never accept commission or contingency work.

Not really.  About a decade or so, the great debate raged to allow the Legal & Accounting communities to work concurrently for the same client--billing them in a unified manner. Sadly, ethics & logistics worked against it primarily due to the threat/fear of collusion, double billing, etc. Not really.  About a decade or so, the great debate raged to allow the Legal & Accounting communities to work concurrently for the same client--billing them in a unified manner. Sadly, ethics & logistics worked against it primarily due to the threat/fear of collusion, double billing, etc.

PMC’s founders are senior executives and seasoned project managers who no longer work in the trenches.  At their stage of careers, it is time for them to “give back” and help others still in the race (on the treadmill) of private practice and trying to compete in the marketplace against larger firms with more resources…but usually no better services.  Read: It’s time to level the playing field! PMC’s founders are senior executives and seasoned project managers who no longer work in the trenches.  At their stage of careers, it is time for them to “give back” and help others still in the race (on the treadmill) of private practice and trying to compete in the marketplace against larger firms with more resources…but usually no better services.  Read: It’s time to level the playing field!

Since PMC considers itself a SMB Advocate, wherever possible, admin endeavors to maximize value for the membership. There is an unwritten quid pro quo between/among others who share the same mission—meaning if an affinity partner ever graces us—we pass it along to members.   Since PMC considers itself a SMB Advocate, wherever possible, admin endeavors to maximize value for the membership. There is an unwritten quid pro quo between/among others who share the same mission—meaning if an affinity partner ever graces us—we pass it along to members.  

Only two; Preferred and Associate. The former is for full-time practicing professionals and the latter is for part-time or academic members.  The primary difference between the two is that Preferred members always get “1st call” on new in-coming clients and the latter receives alternate or “2nd call.”  Only two; Preferred and Associate. The former is for full-time practicing professionals and the latter is for part-time or academic members.  The primary difference between the two is that Preferred members always get “1st call” on new in-coming clients and the latter receives alternate or “2nd call.” 

Select the appropriate membership type and complete the registration form.  Kindly note that PMC requires each candidate to grant permission for reference checking in order to protect other members. (This protects you, too.) Intake usually takes 5-7 business days depending on intake traffic. Select the appropriate membership type and complete the registration form.  Kindly note that PMC requires each candidate to grant permission for reference checking in order to protect other members. (This protects you, too.) Intake usually takes 5-7 business days depending on intake traffic.

[We love this question!] Short answer: the same guarantee all other venues offer ... and more!

PMC offers every joining member an unconditional 30-day, no-risk, full refund, no-questions-asked, guarantee. We can’t and don't guarantee new business, just the best efforts marketing leading to predictable results. (Do all your other choices offer this?) 

Short answer: just a few hundred dollars annually.  

Long answer: value-added marketing should never cost—only pay. Since we only have like-minded, client-centric members, [not clients], costs are deliberately low. Benefits are potentially great. As rainmaking results (especially with a High Net Worth clients), the ROI can't be measured without a telescope. 

Wrong. PMC is not a marketing panacea, but it does enjoy an upside that is unique to the SMB advisory community.

It has taken years to develop the framework along with marketing system that drives predictably superior results. Our closed-community is the only place where Local Channel Marketing™ is available—at any price. 

To the public: Rainmaking is a buzzword that marketers use to woo customers.

To PM Community: Rainmaking is the final phase/process of our marketing system that follows netweaving, i.e. when members agree to collaborate/help each other—for the benefit (betterment) of a common SMB client. Kindly note that our rainmaking is not a random or haphazard event; but is a carefully-crafted process designed to repeat itself (between participants) without any middleman interference or commission. 

As professional marketers, we build communities in given areas (concentric circles based on defined logistics). In addition to an agile infrastructure, we contain cost by only dealing with top independent advisors. Each joins with us to participate in the proprietary Local Channel Marketing™ that clusters cross-discipline peers and colleagues.

We use concurrent dual-marketing efforts. On the one hand, a BRM is assigned to scope/plan/orchestrate each "project" while others, externally, serve the local marketplace directly. 

Outside of expensive HR firms, there are relatively few sources that deal with independent, high-talent contingent (contract) workers especially when the mandate is super confidential & fast-delivery, often on-demand.

PMC can facilitate the process by matching needs (demand) with best possible fulfillment providers (supply). Frankly, it's not rocket-science, just something a lot more valuable for those with urgent needs -and- those who are available to fill/satisfy them ... especially competent, trustworthy & collegial professionals.

First and foremost, PMC member-candidates must be carefully screened, qualified, and vetted by our Intake Staff. Then, as accepted, each is analyzed, coded and placed into an active priority cue within their discipline & marketplace. 

This allows an assigned BRM to much more quickly align members with cross-discipline colleagues—confidentially—without any strings attached. At this point, their is a "hand-off" [Netweaving commences], member-to-member, and PMC withdraws.

Think about synonyms like "clustering" and "bonding."

Netweaving is the power of collegial collaboration created by likely-minded professionals agree to help each other when clients are in need of local outsourcing. (One is a trusted advisor-member who is the referrer and the other—matched by PMC—is about to experience Rainmaking.)

Members' clients are unrepresented (or under-represented) SMBs who require (near) immediate assistance to accomplish a strategic goal. 

Absolutely. Without this first vital stage, there are no subsequent services.

Regardless of skilled profession or perceived standing in the community, every candidate must be "positioned' which starts with screening. (This is the reason for an “Intake Fee.”) This is designed to protect existing members who demand that only the most competent and trustworthy peers/colleagues be allowed to join.

Without exaggeration, it has taken several years to fully develop, test, and perfect this community marketing program.

It has taken several iterations to make it as ‘agile’ and ‘streamlined’ as it has finally become. Positioning, Netweaving, and Rainmaking don't just happen or appear in the market. Each is a separate project process with set milestones. Should a predecessor process be deficit or incomplete, LCM fails. (Hence, there's skilled BRM-orchestration to ensure a successful first half (i.e. we drive the ball to the Red Zone). it's entirely up to members to score the points!)

Of course, you can join, providing your industry & state don't require a license!

If you have a solid track record and meet other qualifications, including the Value-Added mandate, please join your fellow peers and colleagues. Intake-Registration may take a bit longer and probably be a bit more costly (for us), but PM Community is open to all SMB trades and professions like web design & developers, project managers, business analysts, valuation experts, turnaround & integration specialists, and management consultants at large.

Sorry; contact us once you’ve made the move.  

You could notify our VP of Membership in advance, but you would not be granted a marketing license to participate—unless you could show proof that you’re a #1099 contractor. When you join, you’ll appreciate how/why PMC enforces this restrictive policy. (You may inquire about the possibility of becoming an interim Associate Member.)

In fairness to the majority of our membership, PMC restrict joining to “individuals.”  The exact quantity of a small firm size in private practice can fluctuate.  It’s the quality and soundness of the would-be individual that matters.  If more than 6, a County Coordinator would get involved to assist candidates. 

Over 6 in a firm, our VP of Membership must approve of each application and the amount of any discount.

It depends.  If you are paid as a #1099 independent contractor, come on in.  If not, sorry, you do not qualify.  Our closed-community is for the exclusive benefit of Small Business professionals in private practice, typically independent, consulting freelancers. Firms with more than 6 associates don’t qualify. It depends.  If you are paid as a #1099 independent contractor, come on in.  If not, sorry, you do not qualify.  Our closed-community is for the exclusive benefit of Small Business professionals in private practice, typically independent, consulting freelancers. Firms with more than 6 associates don’t qualify.

It is not enough for PMC to ‘screen & qualify’ members when then join; we are obligated to protect them from needless disruption and interruption in their busy practices. As good as this may sound, without a filter (our BRM in charge of personally matching needs-to-solution), unwanted consequences result, e.g. miscommunication, false-positives, soliciting noise, time wasted, and so on. It is not enough for PMC to ‘screen & qualify’ members when then join; we are obligated to protect them from needless disruption and interruption in their busy practices. As good as this may sound, without a filter (our BRM in charge of personally matching needs-to-solution), unwanted consequences result, e.g. miscommunication, false-positives, soliciting noise, time wasted, and so on.

Yes, but only if they are qualified. Candidly, that’s why this closed-community works so well.  Our members are all client-centric, independent professionals in various professions who understand how “Local Channel Marketing”™ could empower their small businesses.   Yes, but only if they are qualified. Candidly, that’s why this closed-community works so well.  Our members are all client-centric, independent professionals in various professions who understand how “Local Channel Marketing”™ could empower their small businesses.  

Short answer: there are none.  We’ll need you to help us identify them—so we can promulgate them to other members…in a hurry!  To the best of our knowledge and belief there is no downside (or “cons”) to joining and participating in our marketing community.   Short answer: there are none.  We’ll need you to help us identify them—so we can promulgate them to other members…in a hurry!  To the best of our knowledge and belief there is no downside (or “cons”) to joining and participating in our marketing community.  

Pros are very straightforward.  If qualified, you become part of an elite, local marketing organization that helps you to get exposed into cross-discipline channels and periodically you may be called upon to help other members’ clients-in-need.  (Think positioning that leads to netweaving and into rainmaking.) Pros are very straightforward.  If qualified, you become part of an elite, local marketing organization that helps you to get exposed into cross-discipline channels and periodically you may be called upon to help other members’ clients-in-need.  (Think positioning that leads to netweaving and into rainmaking.)

From time to time, a County Coordinator may run such event.  Usually it’s an hour (max) presentation to expose local professionals about whom/what PM Community.org can do for their individual practices.  It’s mostly a low-key event—by invitation only—to nail down the Pros & Cons of membership. From time to time, a County Coordinator may run such event.  Usually it’s an hour (max) presentation to expose local professionals about whom/what PM Community.org can do for their individual practices.  It’s mostly a low-key event—by invitation only—to nail down the Pros & Cons of membership.

Per policy, this was decided long ago that members should not be disrupted or bothered by strangers taking them away from serving clients.  If a question is that important and holding you back, call our membership desk at 1800-961-1800 or contact your local County Coordinator. Per policy, this was decided long ago that members should not be disrupted or bothered by strangers taking them away from serving clients.  If a question is that important and holding you back, call our membership desk at 1800-961-1800 or contact your local County Coordinator.