LP 'Yellow Pages'
LP 'Yellow Pages'
Rationale
I've officially been a Libertarian since 1988. I ran for state assembly twice, representative twice and councilman once. I am also a small businessman.
Early this year I joined the Encinitas Chapter of BNI - Business Network Int'l (http://EncinitasBNI.com). Members increase their business by providing referrals to one another at meetings once a week. BNI is the most successful organization of its type in North America today, with over 2800 chapters in operation in 14 countries. In past years, members of BNI passed millions of referrals, which generated more than $1 billion worth of business for its members. In addition to the $265 annual BNI membership fee is a one-time $75 vetting fee, which pays for the calling of previous customers to determine if the applicant is reliable and provides value.
Libertarians are inherently vetted by their philosophy.
- Libertarians do not engage in force or fraud,
- Libertarians keep their promises.
- Libertarians are compassionate with their own money.
so
- Libertarians are inherently honest and trustworthy.
furthermore
- Libertarians would prefer to give their money to other Libertarians rather than Democrats and other Socialists or Republicans and other Fascists.
so why has the Libertarian Party never facilitated the referral of Libertarians to Libertarian businesses?
The Libertarian Party has finally found a rational constituency to champion: the owners and employees of small business and their families. After only a few months of BNI membership, it was clear to me that most small business persons are inherently libertarian, or become libertarian after finding government to be an obstacle to making a living.
What's missing?
- An easy way to find local Libertarian product and service providers
- An indication of the value of the products and services they provide.
The Libertarian Party can provide a benefit to its members that makes its commitment to small business people plain by providing a Web-based 'Yellow Pages' as a free or fee service. Those who want their found set listing to be bolded or its position improved or both can pay a premium for the visibility benefit. Alternatively, basic members could get a free listing, and the more generous memberships could get better placement, or bolded text, or both.
With a Libertarian 'Yellow Pages', libertarians need only say to their relatives, friends, business acquaintances and anyone they meet, "Go to LP.org and select the 'Yellow Pages' link to find the Libertarian business nearest you that will provide the product or service you need." Having Libertarians trade with Libertarians will improve their financial wherewithal to help the Libertarian Party grow, campaign and otherwise fight for liberty.
If a search for a certain service or product does not find a Libertarian business local to the consumer, the option to search BNI businesses in the vicinity can be provided, or an option to search both simultaneously to practically guarantee that the consumer will find someone reliable in their vicinity. That would make the 'Yellow Pages' the GoTo site for products and services from providers with integrity.
Conversely, I intend to include in the BNI 'Yellow Pages' the option to include Libertarian businesses in the search for a local supplier. That search page will have a link to LP.org encouraging the visitor to investigate the Libertarian Party. Since many BNI members will use the 'Yellow Pages' to find referrals for their acquaintences, they will be encouraged to learn about the Libertarian Party, particularly its value to small business people and their employees. (I found no link targeting the small business constituency at LP.org. Please advise when it is available.)
LP Business Directory Database System
The 'LP Yellow Pages' database system consists of three relational databases that correspond to three levels of data management. The Business Card database is maintained by members. It determines what the public sees. The Members database is maintained by Libertarian Party designates. It determines who can have a business card or edit its information. The Organization database is maintained by Synergy Enterprises. It determines who can add or delete members or change their information, or create and send email messages to the found set.
The Business Card database contains all the data about the business, including a description and keywords for searching in conjunction with the ZIP code, area code, email address, URL to their primary web site, etc. and a biography of the member. If a Business Card does not exist for a member, the system creates one for the member to complete. Members can reference a logo already somewhere on the Web, or upload a logo to be referenced for their business card. They can similarly upload a digital photograph for their biography. Members can change their password and edit their Business Card information at any time.
The Members database includes the member name, number, password, email address and access constraints. Its fields allow members to be found by State or Region as well Nation to facilitate the distribution of custom email messages to members.
The Organization database provides the facilities for those responsible for managing the Members database and issuing broadcast email messages to the Members found set. These DataBase Administrators (DBAs) also have the ability to create and change member Business Cards if necessary. A special User ID and Password pair is required for DBAs. It can currently only be established by Bill Holmes of Synergy Enterprises or his designate.
Eighteen HTML/CDML files allow anyone to search for Business Cards and biographies, and display or print the found information. Sixteen HTML/CDML files allow members to manage their password and Business Card. Eleven HTML/CDML files allow the DBAs access and a means to define email messages. Eleven HTML/CDML files allow the DBAs to manage the Member database. Eleven HTML/CDML files allow the DBAs to manage Business Cards.
Proposal
The cost of the system can be mitigated by leveraging the development effort of Synergy Enterprises that resulted in the directory of BNI members known as the BNI 'Yellow Pages' ($3153). It was developed with the possibility of multiple use in mind, so it can be adopted as-is for use by the Libertarian Party. Consequently, little or no development effort is required unless a way to let customers indicate the value of the products and services provided is desired.
There are three ways to determine if a Libertarian business is not only honest, but also provides value according to consumers.
The primary fixed cost would be the cost of importing all the existing Libertarian Party members into the Members database the first time at a rate of $40/hour. Should the Libertarian Party decide to charge a placement fee, credit card and PayPal payment methods can be provided.
The recurring cost to the Libertarian Party would be $200 per database per year, or $600 per year. Additions to and changes of the Organization data would cost $20/hour, but this should occur infrequently. The same rate would apply to the maintenance of the Members data should the Libertarian Party decide to contract that work to Synergy Enterprises. Development costs would be billed at the rate of $40/hour.
To keep the LP Yellow Pages synchronized with the Libertarian Party members database after the initial transfer would require that additions, changes and deletions be emailed to whomever are the designated DBAs. Alternatively, a more ambitious data management system is proposed at http://libertarian-resources.com/locatem.htm. This LOCATEM system could virtually automate the synchronization of LP 'Yellow Pages' and Libertarian Party members databases. It could also automate data synchronization with state and region organizations.
If you have any questions, please email a message to BillHolmes@Adelphia.net or call 760-476-9418.
Site developed by Bill Holmes. Hosting provided by Synergy Enterprises.