HSBC has selected LiveWorld, Inc., an online social network marketing agency, as provider of its new Business Network online community for start-up companies in the United Kingdom. LiveWorld partnered with communications agency Mindshare to develop and implement the program.
The focus of HSBCs Business Network is to empower new start-up companies to succeed by enabling them to network and form relationships with each other, as well as leveraging the expertise and support of HSBCs business specialists across the UK. New businesses will leverage the Business Network to form relationships, share experiences and learn about a wide range of relevant topics such as:
Starting Your Business: writing a business plan, financing, researching your market, securing premises
Growing Your Business: sales strategies, marketing, selling on the web, tax and employment law
People Issues: Expanding overseas, buying commercial property, franchising
“HSBC is dedicated to the success of our customers. For businesses, especially start-ups, this means creating a successful relationship network and leveraging the knowledge and contacts of others,” says Amanda J. Rendle, head of business marketing, HSBC. “We chose LiveWorld to leverage their best-in-class social network platform, and as important, their thought leadership for Internet relationship marketing.”
The online community will feature the highly-rated Start-Up Stars program in which HSBC annually showcases successful and innovative start-up entrepreneurs. HSBCs business specialists who focus on building relationships with start-up managers and to help them succeed will be active members of the community. The social network is integrated with HSBCs Knowledge Centre web site featuring a wide array of business resources.
“HSBC is at once the largest bank in the world and the most dedicated to connecting with their customers at a local level,” says Peter Friedman, chairman & CEO, LiveWorld. “In the 21st century, this means connecting globally and locally through social networks. Their commitment to empowering their customers to connect with each other, as well as HSBC, represents the market leaders customer centric-thinking.”