VCCC? What’s in it for me?

by Vinko Šikić:

Dear Reader,

Last night, I’m proud to say that I attended yet another successful VCCC event, for those of you that couldn’t make it I’m sorry to say you truly missed out.

One of our attendees of last night’s event posed an interesting question “What’s in it for me?” This is a question that I’ve not asked myself, although the answer will be different for every one of you. I’ve decided to share my experience with you in the hope I can provide some clarity and perhaps inspire you to attend the next event or even become a member.

When I joined the VCCC I was asked along by someone that I hadn’t known for very long whom I met through my work. He told me about the VCCC concept and I thought, what the hell I’ll tag along and see what happens. I can tell you that my timing in relation to joining the VCCC was rather early, in fact we were working on transforming an idea into reality. Yes it had been done before and it had failed, it wasn’t a new idea but I wanted to be a part of something that I could say was successful. So far, so good.

As a result of that initial meeting I have met some fantastic people. Well educated, capable, helpful and ready to go above and beyond, all because of our Croatian heritage. This is what binds us.

I’ve become desensitised to the randomness of the Yellow Pages when I need a service, I’m tired of super smooth sales pitches on Google and those business that have lots of money for slick advertising campaigns.

What I love about the VCCC is that I can give my business to real people, people of the same background and someone that will give me more value for money as compared anyone that I’ve picked randomly from an advert on Google or the Yellow Pages.

Since joining the VCCC, I have used the following service and I’ve moved away from my existing services providers.

•  A large bank – I needed a loan and the attitude and shear arrogance I received from my relationship manager at the bank was gob smacking. So I went to a VCCC Mortgage Broker. He saved me a bucket load of money and got me a super sharp rate. I was satisfied and the fact that we were both Croatian and were mutually benefiting was the icing on the cake.
•  Financial Advisor & Accountant – I had out grown my existing Italian account who has in all honestly served me well. I needed someone who could provide me with the advice and guidance I required for the plans I had moving forward. I dealt with someone I’ve knowing for 30 years but had no idea that he owned and ran a very successful financial advisory and accounting business. I met him and learnt what he did at the VCCC because the environment was focused on business and networking. Who knows I might have gone on for another 30 years without knowing what he did had I have not been a part of the VCCC.
•  Legal advice & conveyancing – Again I met someone at the VCCC that I had never met before I even worked out that we are related to some degree. The interaction on this front again was fantastic, value for money, good honest advice from someone I grew to trust very rapidly. Great overall experience and I won’t be going anywhere else.
•  Architecture – Yet another VCCC introduction, my interaction is still in train and my experience compared to my last interaction with an Italian architect has been unbelievably good and positive. I couldn’t recommend this firm more highly. Super helpful and very good at what they do.

Last night’s “Let’s get back to business” event was a great opportunity to meet people I hadn’t met previously. I met some people that I know I’m going to do business with in future. I also met a bunch of guys and gals that I’ve become accustom to meeting at these events. I’ve even made some new friends.

In answering the question what’s in it for me, I have put together a list of what it’s done for me:

•  I’ve always received a better outcome whenever I’ve needed a service.
• I’m not dealing with someone who is completely random.
• It’s reduces the likelihood of someone taking me for a ride.
• Reputations and be built and destroyed based on members experiences, people talk.
• I’d rather spend my dollars with a Croat.
• Fact, I’ve saved significantly because of the VCCC.
• My investment was a $100 membership.
• It’s tax deductable.
• VCCC is a Non for Profit organisation.
• I volunteer my time and my skills because I believe in supporting the Croatian community.
• I’ve been rewarded already through my volunteering and through my interactions.
• We can share our knowledge to help each other.
• Other nationalities have been doing it because it works.
• We can provide jobs to people in our community, student that might have graduated from university etc.
• Internships
• Mentorships

If you are one of those people that sits on the sidelines and watches and does nothing, I suggest that you come to an event or two, talk to some people and broaden your horizons. You don’t know what you don’t know. Come and participate in any way you can, you might learn something that may be “in it for you…!”

P.S. If you have a business and you’re not on the VCCC directory, you’re certainly missing out on business. I’ve noticed a distinct lack of tradies on our directory and that shouldn’t be the case considering how many Croatians work in construction and other trade based industries.