Becoming an Expert
Jack-of-all-trades, master of none. The old adage holds a lot of weight in today’s entrepreneurial environment. No one can possibly run a small business alone. I know this because I have tried. Know what you do and do it the best you can.
I recently started a small business. I could never have gotten it off the ground without the help of a CPA, lawyer, graphic designer, and administrative assistant. My expertise lies in the areas of people skills, marketing, and fund raising. I realized from the start that if I attempted to be anything but those things to my business, the long term success of the business was doomed. I set out immediately to find the experts I needed.
It is important to surround yourself with competent individuals who have complimentary areas of expertise. Choose carefully and wisely and be ready to compensate these individuals for a job well done. In some cases, I was able to defer payment until the business took off. In other cases, I made long term promises such as potential employment if and when the business was viable. When I was really lucky, I bartered. In fact, in most cases I bartered.
Payment need not always come in the form of dollars. Remember your area of expertise and be ready to trade it for what you need.
When bartering you need to follow a few simple rules: Be nice and respectful, send thank you notes, and recognize those individuals who have helped you both publicly and privately. In doing so, you will gain respect and be known as someone who gets the job done.
When you are an expert, people will come to you in need of your talent. Be prepared to use it. Be proud of your skill and share it.
Source: Used With Permission, Business Wealth, © 2004 BusinessWealth
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