Janice and I were waiting for a train, talking progress over pots of tea the other day.
I’d managed to load BAD BOY, a book by Kevin Clarke to a new publishing platform while my friend Janice was considering promoting her new business. She was looking to do some advertising.
Janice has been in business only twelve months and she was eager to gain more orders for her design services.
‘Have you considered ‘word of mouth’ Janice, working alongside a mentor?’
‘Er, no Charlie. I’m not ready for that step yet. I’m confident I can ‘get there’ on my own … What does a mentor do anyway?’
I explained to Janice my own thoughts on networking, collaboration, and the whole ‘people buy from people’ principle. It works by learning from those within our circle, those who may be ahead of our own business curve through experience, learning as they go.
I saw the look of enlightenment cross her face as Janice asked …
‘Where do you meet Charlie?’
As it happens, Janice is at the other end of the country, so unable to meet at our in-person meetings. I did ask her along another time, when I’d introduce her via the regular Zoom call …
I felt the reality check with Janice very satisfying for me. On reflection, our conversation made me realise I’d learned something from someone 40 years my junior.
Over the rim of the tea cup I saw that being in business for over 25 years, I so often overlooked the opportunity …
… those regular scheduled meetings with others who have similar experience to mine is invaluable. The conversation flows as we share so much, we talk the same language through experience.
Apart from the conversation, we learn that we’re never alone in our business pursuits. The reality-check is that we’re never too young (or too old) to learn new things by engaging in conversation with colleagues.
Networking isn’t always about the next order, that’s yet another by-product of networking.
CharlieKenny.me 