Article by:
Jesper Løvendahl
Founder & Partner the DABGO Network
+1 646 717 5957 | jesper@dabgo.net
Where are you going to be on the first Wednesday of the month? If you are living in, or travelling to, one of the major cities in the US, then drop by the local Stambord.
DABGO – Danes Abroad Business Group Online, has since its launch in October 2006 grown a lot internationally and especially in the US, where the group now counts over 2.000 members. Globally the network has over 7,500 members and is growing rapidly. The goal is 25.000 members before end of year 2012.
DABGO has been developed as a spare time project by Danish businessman Jesper Løvendahl, who consults Danish companies on how to enter the US market and grow their business in the US. Together with a lot of help from voluntary local “Group Managers” giving their time and energy to establish a strong local network through the possibilities that DABGO offers. DABGO utilizes the strength of the internet and social media to uncover and attract Danish knowledge and connections internationally. This combined with the energy that the members and Group Managers put into DABGO, will ensure that DABGO not only remains the largest Danish international network, but also more importantly creates a real and positive impact on Danish trade opportunities internationally.
DABF’s member companies are invited to have their Danish employees abroad join DABGO for free.
One of the latest initiatives in DABGO is “Stambord”, a Danish colloquial expression encompassing regular gatherings around the same table at a bar/restaurant. The Stambord concept is created for DABGO members and Danish business people to meet in casual surroundings with no agenda to network and make both social and business connections. Stambord is held on the First Wednesday of the month in 36 cities around the world. Stambord is in the following U.S. cities:
Atlanta, Boston, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Palo Alto and Washington. In addition there are DABGO Meet-ups in the Columbus and San Antonio.
The first Stambord was established in New York in January 2008. The goal is to reach over 50 Stamborde internationally and thereby making it possible for Danes to network globally and locally while travelling or living abroad. Please see the current list about Stamborde on www.dabgo.net. Remember you do not have to be a DABGO member to participate at the Stambord outside of Denmark. But only DABGO members can participate at the Stambord in Copenhagen.
Stambord is a small part of what DABGO is currently doing and planning for the future of the network. But the Stambord concept shows how easily distributed a good idea is within the network, and how working with a social media strategy in connecting Danes is a vital part of the future for improving Denmark’s or any other country’s international competitiveness.
The reason why DABGO works is because the initiative to make a difference is given to the individual member to take action on, and not managed by a few people. This structure makes it possible to distribute new initiatives to the members, such as the Stambord concept, and those whom are interested can then get involved. This ensures that initiatives thought to be helpful by the DABGO management and not by the members will not be implemented. The DABGO groups currently run on the Linkedin platform, which is used by over 300,000 Danes and over 38 million globally.
The success of utilizing the internet for networking often raises the questions regarding online networks vs. local network groups. Who is going to win the battle, the explosive online networks with millions of members or the strong local network group that meets up once a month? The answer is easy, there is no battle, there is no one or the other if you are a true networker. Nothing will replace the connection and trust that can be generated in meeting people face to face, and no local network will ever be able to give you the access to the same number of people that an online network can. The trick is to use the online and the “offline” network to compliment each other for maximum effect.
Example; As a DABGO member you have access to many more people than you have time to meet with in person. But it gives you the option of searching and finding just the right people for you to connect with, and then establish offline meet ups or events where you invite a number of people with the same interest. With the power to choose your offline network, it is no longer up to coincidences at a local network meeting if you happen to meet the right connections. With an online network it’s all up to you to make that happen.
This is not to say that you should quit your local network and just start your own network of only like-minded people, because it’s at the local network meeting (chamber of commerce, export organizations, local Danish club etc.) that you meet diversity and personalities which are just as important to grow a strong diverse network.
DABGO is now working together with several Danish Chambers of Commerce and local Danish network groups in generating more local awareness on the activities and offers that the local chambers or network groups has.
Please see www.dabgo.net for more information about the network.
DABGO's Mission
Through a core of Internet based tools and local "in person" activities and events to create opportunities for Danes by strengthening theirs – and thereby Denmark’s – network and relations internationally. And also to motivate members to network more effectively and not least to make Danes abroad active ambassadors for Denmark as a good place to do business and make investments.
The Vision
Be active and engaged in at least the 20 most important Danish export markets and have a total 25.000 members before year 2012, and thereby actively contribute to the best possible foundation for Danish export, acceleration of Danish business people’s international career opportunities and increase international investments in Denmark.
Quotes from members:
“The DABGO network sets out to facilitate interaction between Danish companies/employees, thus creating a knowledge sharing community for the better of Danish interests in general. A great idea with a great purpose!” Mikael Hougs, General Manager at Dansk Industri New York
“The DABGO community - an admirable effort that benefits Danish expatriates throughout the world” Carsten Lebeck, Investment Banking, Associate at Wachovia Securities
“A network for Danes, DABGO has linked together hundreds of people in this network, creating a outstanding possibility for its members to meet new people.” Kim Mose, CFO at Jensen Women
“DABGO is a great tool that connects Danes in a part of the world, where it is not as much to what you know but rather who you know that counts.” Gunnar Papendick Larsen, Investment Manager at Invest in Denmark