Tag Archives: helping others

How to get by with a little help from your friends

Posted on March 2, 2011 by David St Lawrence

When I think about the vital necessity of networking, I do not view it from an academic viewpoint. Finding new friends and linking up with them for our mutual benefit is how I have supported myself since I left the mothership (Sun Microsystems) in 2001.

When I occasionally do career counseling and use the dreaded word "networking", it is not unusual to see the beginning of an eye roll or a curl of the lip as "networking" has been downgraded for many people to an exchanging of business cards at job fairs or business mixers.

The truth of the matter is that an independent business person selling directly to customers is always networking whether he delivers music lessons, custom framing, or handling bankruptcies. It is an attitude one creates that makes customers want to refer others to you for services.

It is an attitude that you carry with you of wanting to help others. If you truly want to help others, it shows in your conduct and it prepares you to discuss what you do at the drop of a hat.

When you meet someone, one of the first questions that gets asked on both sides is, "What do you do?"

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Posted in Basic Business Concepts, Dealing with hard times, Expanding Your Opportunities, Micro-Business | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Fireside update

Posted on November 19, 2008 by David St Lawrence

It’s 19 degrees outside and I am taking a break to enjoy the warmth of our wood stove. Working from home allows me to spend more time on the things that matter to me, but it doesn’t always translate into … Continue reading →

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