Alliances - Helpful or Hurtful?

[Mike Mahoney]

I am coming in late in the game, & have yet to read all six pages here, but I just thought I'd jump in & clarify for JAMS the reason behind the national org. requirement. for the MDJN, which is not too different from the requirements of other local organizations.

There are actually three reasons for this requirement

1.) Insurance, as well as the added security that a national network provides. Yes Insurance is available through many insurance companies, however, the coverage is often if not always less comprehensive, & more expensive.

2.)The depth of networking goes one step further than just my four friends in the network. I also have access to the knowledge base of (in my case) NAME, as well as the benefit of the referrals of any of them I feel comfortable with, or any who feel comfortable with me.

3.) a common thread - we can all talk to one another about the evolution of these national organizations which often have great influence on the public's perception of our industry.

The first point is obviously the most important from a professional business standpoint. Point number 2 is key to my personal success, and the third is more of a peripheral, or ancillary benefit.

First, I have found that many municipal centers & schools are requiring insurance in order to hire us.

Without insurance, you stand the risk of losing everything, no matter how small the risk seems.

If your equipment is stolen or damaged, with or without ins, you will have short term pain & loss.

With Insurance, that pain & loss will remain short term, and with the netwrking both groups provide, you reduce that pain & loss even more.

Insurance is cheap, & getting cheaper through the national organiztions out there.

The Realtor who sold me my house has insurance
The Contractor who works on my house has insurance
The Lawyer I hire has insurance
The Dentist who works on my teeth has insurance

Shouldn't the DJ I hire have insurance?

If you have further questions JAMS, drop me a line any time 207-797-9289, or mainelyusic@yahoo.com

[Mike Mahoney]

My thought on alliances - again, not having read most of the last 6 pages - is simple.

When done to benefit the whole business they are good

By benefit the whole business, I mean:

Benefit the business owner
Benefit the consumer - be they other businesses, or the end users
Benefit associates & contemporaries of the business & owner
Benefit the industry as a whole


When done solely for personal or political gain - bad, and potentially very dangerous

By "solely for personal or political gain" I mean:

Solely to boost ones image or status in the eyes of their peers

Solely to promote a product or service


Lastly, its the whole"don't make me use my powers for evil" thing. Alliances are powerful, make no mistake.

When operated in an upstanding, and ethical manner, they are the best thing in the world

When operated in an unethical manner, or with an intent to hurt/injure an innocent entity, they can be very dangerous.

Hey MIke. Long time no talk. I agree that insurance is much needed. I do have it. I was pretty much ok and just discussing how i felt. I felt degraded and belittled and felt like i was told i ws not a BUSINESS person because i wasnt part of NAME or ADJA. I agree there are alot of hobbists out there that go out and play. I have seen them, with the stereo rack system that is actually all one piece of 200w with 5 disc changer and dual cassettes. I think the work i did to get this going was enough to spend for my first year. Buying 2 sets of equipment so i would be a so called professional. Most in this business think that because you just started doing weddings, you are just a hobby dj. I'm sure alot are. I just sometimes take it personal when i am treated like that. I spend months planning and saving. Making a plan. Learning from board like wedj and going to dj sites to see what i could learn. I am only speaking for myself, but i busted my butt getting prepared for this wedding dj thing. I, unlike others just didnt jump into djing to make some quick weekend cash. I did radio for a bit and that prepared me somewhat. I have also taken business courses in college to help me for starting a business. My love of music and working with people drew me to this business. I still have alot to learn. I'll be the first to admit it. Also, i learned quite abit from you guys in just the one night i sat in with you. You guys made me feel welcome and i appreciate it. The only thing i wish i that there were not so many restrictions on MDJN.You guys have so much knowledge to share with dj's that just want to make their business better. It would only make people like myself better at what i do and help out the reputation of Maine dj's better. Thats where im coming from and i also hear where you guys are coming from. Just that the comment that someone who belong to those groups are BUSINESS people made me see what some others think about new people trying to make it. Again, good to see you around here. Take care, Mike

[Jim Casey]

Jams...

The restrictions are there because we only want people who want to be among the elite...the 10 requirements (this is very small in comparison to what was originally proposed) are there for everyone's benefit. They help make us better as professionals.

BTW...giving the money to a Youth team or other organization will get you squat for new business. The MDJN and the knowledge gained from it will do exponentially better,

The NAME Network that Mike has spearheaded is for the rest.

I don't sponsor youth team to get anything. Other than seeing the kids having a great time playing.

[Jim Casey]

You just made my point Jams...

That's cool that you do that and I did it for my son's team a couple of years back.

Problem is, you are being asked to spend a measley $125 or less for a membership in one of the three major organizations. To the current membership, this shows you are committed to the business and are not in it for just a quick buck on the weekends.

I think that spending a couple hundred bucks on a youth sports team shows that im not in it for the quick weekend buck. I'm not saying that at some point i wont join one of these orgs. Just stating that i didnt think it should be a determining factor of whether i am a business person or not. We are all entitled to our opinion. I feel thats what this board is. I in now way was slamming MDJN and said i thought it had a great bunch of guys in it. Then, i'm told by you that i am not a business person bcause i hadnt joined NAME or ADJA. I found it offensive. I spend alot of time trying to promote my business. I dont go around doing weddings for $200 like the quicky bottom feeders. I am now done trying to defend myself to someone who has a predetermined idea of all new dj's.

I want to apologize to Jim and the MDJN. It seems i worded my post wrong and i offended Jim and the network. I was not meant to slam anyone. I was trying to state that i wished there were less restrictions so that the new DJ could learn more here in this state from those who have thrived at it. It was never meant to become a pissing match and i mean that with all my heart. If i offended anyone in anyway , I am truely sorry. Seems like some took it personally and that was never my intention. Again, sorry to you Jim and anyone else who may have been offended by the statement. Happy Holidays.

[Jim Casey]

Hey Jams...
I didn't take any offense to your comments. I was simply debating the whys of the requirements of the MDJN.

No harm no foul. Happy Thanksgiving!

[simo]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>I get 100 times more leads form WEDJ than any of the other sources and there management tools are leaps and bounds better than DJ Intelligence and DJAdmin. (Yes I have tried them all)…. If it is so good why do I try others…..
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But they have the best product out there…. It’s just very frustrating at times.[/b][/quote]

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