LETS still have an alternative image and reluctance is high. The SBN belongs to Manchester LETS yet has a separate image. Steven Knight launched it on 25 March 1994 and took a professional approach in order to convince professionals. This enabled LETS to raise interest in the system and to circulate focused information. It was an occasion to meet members and ask them questions directly.
Advantages There are many advantages in developing such a focused network.
They can rely on the SBN for specific information on marketing and legal issues, e.g. accounting and development strategy, all topics alien to private members. Then, businesses can contact each other easily thanks to the SBN list and save travel time by trading locally. Today approximately 85 small businesses are members and the SBN plans to offer regular sessions for businesses on all aspects of LETS trading benefits. It is a large scale project expected to give impetus to the spreading of the systems throughout the world. Landsman have worked many years on it and designed it for a large city.