Entrepreneur Benjamin Dalley oversees two Washington, DC, firms in the non-profit and private sector. As the development director of the philanthropic organization Bike to the Beach, Benjamin Dalley raises money for autism awareness through charity bike rides. Corporations and real estate companies benefit from Benjamin C. Dalley's guidance as managing partner with the business and real estate consultancy Xebec Enterprises, Inc. Before embarking on these initiatives, Ben Dalley attended Brown University, where he earned a master of arts in sociology. He wrote his thesis on social capital theory in Harlem, New York. 

Based in Providence, Rhode Island, Brown University features a popular sociology program that has received coverage by Newsweek, CNN, the New York Times, and other media outlets. Undergraduates can acquire a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science in the field, and can learn how to apply critical thinking to issues affecting the world. Graduate students can garner a master of arts or doctor of philosophy degree. Regardless of a student’s level, Brown University provides an all-encompassing education in six key areas, including comparative development and global political economy, health and health care, and urban sociology. 

Following graduation, those who complete the Brown University sociology program have gone onto positions with major private and public organizations. Some have received consultancy positions with Amazon.com and the US Social Security Administration. Doctorate students have earned roles with the World Bank and the United Nations. Additionally, many choose to continue their studies at schools of law or business.

Benjamin Dalley of Washington, D.C., serves as the director of his own consultancy business, Xebec. Working with the nonprofit Bike to the Beach, Inc., as its operations and development director, Benjamin C. Dalley oversees budgetary and marketing strategy as well as strategic partnerships. Ben Dalley has also developed marketing strategy in the hospitality field for Fields Restaurant Group.

While different industries face unique challenges and require special marketing strategies, the basic principles of good marketing hold true for nearly any business or organizations. Described below are three important marketing pillars that businesses should never ignore.

Relationships and Growth: For many businesses, the bulk of business stems from return or referred clientele. This is why it is so essential to foster relationships in an effort to grow a loyal base.

Increase Name Recognition: The more you can grow your name within a community, industry, or area, the better chance you have of retaining more clients and/or customers. Utilize community involvement and good public relations to expand on this principle and make sure your image stands up to what you value.

Targeting: By recognizing the traits that makes your business or organization unique, you can capitalize and better target the desired audience. It is often believed that if you market to everyone, then you are marketing to no one. Take this to heart and get specific with your audience for better results.

When two friends decided to bike from Washington, D.C., to a Delaware beach in 1999, they had no aspirations beyond getting in a good ride. After continuing the challenge for several years, Benjamin Dalley and Joseph, along with a few friends, realized the ride would make a great fundraising opportunity. Together they founded the nonprofit organization Bike to the Beach in 1997.

Bike to the Beach primarily supports Autism Speaks, an autism advocacy group that sponsors research and conducts awareness and outreach activities, but it also aims to promote bicycle use as a healthy mode of transportation.

Today, Bike to the Beach holds three rides, all of which cover about 100 miles in one day. Participants can choose from the D.C. to Delaware route, the New York City to Long Island ride, or the Boston to Newport, Rhode Island, trek. For those who aren’t quite up to the challenge, Bike to the Beach offers training events as well as a relay option for its D.C. and New York rides.

About Benjamin Dalley:
Bike to the Beach co-founder Benjamin C. Dalley serves on the charity’s board of directors. In addition to holding this position, Ben Dalley serves as Managing Partner at Xebec Enterprises, a business and real estate consulting firm in Washington, D.C.