SVSG Already Won: A How-To Guide For Leaders

I don’t want to bore you with academic or theoretical stuff, so I’ll try to keep it simple and give you a “from the trenches” point of view. With only a few months out in the wild, SVSG already represents an important innovation and a different approach to how we think across the security industry. This claim, which to some may sound far-fetched, is undeniable. In order to understand why this is happening, you must also understand how competition works:

1. New entrants always have the advantage over the incumbents. SVSG took advantage of the slow moving and fragmented security ecosystem around groups, organizations and their purpose. While it is true that COVID was the perfect storm that led to an increasing sentiment of loneliness and people wanting so socialize, there was also historical dissatisfaction and boredom. To this day, everything out there looks and feels exactly the same. Evidence of this untapped energy is that SVSG is all volunteer based, we generate no revenue, we don't have any donations and yet we’ve become one of the most sought-after security communities out there.?We saw an opportunity to do something new and re-design the experience around security groups.

2. SVSG never saw the relationship between people as exclusive or transactional. Unless you have an undisputed monopoly, high membership fees and transactional relationships won’t lead to trust. This is true in business and in life. SVSG is first and foremost an inclusive and ego-free social community. The professional network aspect is only a bi-product of that. SVSG’s primary mission has been to create the best community of like-minded people in the world where everyone, without exception, would benefit from us.?

For example:?

• An inexperienced individual contributor or recent graduate may land his next job, internship, learn and network with people and organizations they could never have direct access to.
• A senior manager, director or business executive can benchmark or recruit. Instead of a full-blown RFI/RFP they can cut right through the fat and interact with suppliers and new companies directly. They have a much larger sample of people who can give them raw insights, feedback and information that is invaluable and would otherwise be very difficult for them to get.?
• A supplier may find their next client, land a good contract or better understand the market in which they operate. They could refine or reimagine their products and service offering in a market that has been dominated by big players.?

People get jobs, clients get better services, and services present better offers. All this generates healthy competition. Everyone gets a beer and a selfie.?

3. Quality, Rich Experience & Inclusion. We don’t believe that you have to pay high membership fees or belong to an exclusive group of “subject matter experts” to achieve your goals. Sure, SVSG won’t give you a diploma or a certification, but we have done what others only dream to achieve: we offer an open, high-quality community at no-cost. Most of our members work for some of the most well-known companies out there and have been exposed to the latest in technology, operations and services. From cyber-security, intelligence, physical security and much more, we are welcoming folks from all fields. We believe that bringing these minds together in fun and engaging atmosphere is the only path that will lead to interesting discussion and security innovations.?

4. Uniqueness & The Human Element If there is one thing that experts agree generates competitive advantage is uniqueness. Okay fine let’s get academic for a second, like Porter would say “being the best at doing something is not competitive advantage”. SVSG aims at being the most unique security community out there. We do that through our branding, marketing campaigns, events, and an overall not-so-serious view of our industry. We also do it by being truly inclusive and a place where women and folks from underrepresented groups, like me, can lead and be themselves. Like a cheetah, we move very fast and pivot even faster. We are tapping into something others have already failed at: taking care of our friends and loving our community like you would love one of your own. We build relational, not transactional bonds, and we will continue doing this better than anyone else.??

We've already won because we've tested a concept that works and we would like to encourage others, especially those leading in this field, to follow suit: To think, work and act towards the future of our industry. Others out there need week-long summits to understand their purpose. When you have dedicated your life to protect, save lives and be one of the "good guys" you’ve already won. Look no further. ?

At this very moment a competitor out there is already trying to do it better than SVSG. A small but mighty team of volunteers based out of the heart of Silicon Valley wishes them good luck.?

We Are #SVSG, mic drop.