Out Of Office

I have been really fortunate since starting my own business, to have come into contact and even met some really genuine, helpful people. I say ‘even met’ because working virtually and networking virtually means you don’t always get to meet the people face to face.

I seem to attract business coaches, that may seem strange, but if you think about the people you have met or meet regularly and their occupations, how many of them are the same or similar? Do you attract a particular type of person?

When I started my business I found every type of internet listing possible especially if they were free – anything to get my profile and business out there. I joined an on-line networking group. I was very active on the forum, took part in as many discussions as possible (all you hear when you are starting out is “get yourself known as an expert in your own field”) – So that is what I was trying to achieve.

One of my discussion posts was responded to by a guy who at that time I didn’t know, he was very helpful in his response, very articulate; but he expressed an interest in my website?! He liked one of my links, shared an admiration for the person in the link and suggested I ring him. So I did.

Cutting a long story short, I had some long and gradually more involved conversations with this man (who introduced himself, and told me his was a business coach!) Well my instant reaction was -you needn’t bother, sorry I don’t have the money, can’t afford a coach, but thanks for the advice and your interest….

David (this man) became more and more embroiled in my business and my thoughts of how to approach business, where I wanted to be etc…And was eventually good enough (or daft enough, who knows…lol) to offer to become my ‘mentor’. He took it upon himself to help me make my business a success, to keep on track when times got tough (and my god they did) – he became my confidant and my own personal bully (if you like) not letting me get to down, or lose my direction.

I do owe him a huge debt of gratitude for his time and support and plain bloody doggedness, Thank you David x

David Lawson – TBC Business Solutions

Then…moving on to actual going out and networking – each time I attended a breakfast meeting, I was approached by business coaches (I must appear to need help or something lol…) I always told them straight away, that I had a business coach and mentor, but nevertheless some of them continued also to take it upon themselves to ensure I maintained my direction, offering tips and pointers as to how to present my business or myself. Different ideas as to how I could approach problems of marketing, packages, services…

Again one of those business coaches has become a stalwart friend and supporter (and client actually) – I have the best of both worlds! Thank you Jon x

Jon Baker – Venture-Now

All of this leads me to my message to anyone looking at starting a business, already in business (whether you consider it successful or not) – Do not dismiss the idea of taking advice from external sources; listen to suggestions, feedback, ideas- they are all relevant if it is what people have seen in you or in your service or your business.

Think about what you have heard/ been told, digest it, maybe put it away in a mental cupboard – take it out every so often and look again as if from an outside viewpoint, then decide if you should take any action! Do not lightly dismiss any offers of help or advice – be open to it all, you never know some of it could change your life and/ or your business.