Weedin 360

Entrepreneurship and the Curse of Methodology.

Last Thursday was a terrific day. Not only was it my anniversary, but the second edition of Libby & Dan was taking place in Seattle. Barb took the day off to accompany me and help out at the event. Two of our participants are pals of Libby. They are brothers who play Irish, Hip Hop music. I’m not sure I have properly described the sound, but let’s just say they are awesome. In fact, Libby was so kind as to ask them to sing a special song for Barb and me for our anniversary. We loved it!

These two very talented musicians didn’t really attend just to sing for us. They definitely weren’t there to become better musicians. They attended to improve their entrepreneurship skills. Like most artists (and many consultants), they are brilliant at what they do (methodology), and want to expand their business chops.

Consultants, coaches, speakers, and certain professions like doctors, can easily fall in love with their methodology. The stark business truth is that if you’re not very good at the business and marketing end of things, no one will know you exist. That’s bad for them and for you.

You’re in the marketing business, regardless of what your methodology is or what you do well. You have to become good at marketing, business, and communication. You can certainly delegate things away that you don’t like to do, or aren’t good at (i.e. bookkeeping), but you must be proficient at promoting your business and acquiring new clients. You don’t get a chance to exhibit your skills otherwise.
You may be the greatest band of all time, but if nobody comes to see you, you’re nowhere. You may be the greatest (fill in your blank) of all time, but if you don’t know how to find clients, you’ll soon be working for someone else.

Time to play some music!

P.S. Size 2 Shoes are really, really great. They hail from Ireland and now make New York City their home. Here is some horn tooting for them by me. Check out their web site and music here!

This week’s quote – “A failure is a man who has blundered, but is not able to cash in on the experience.” ~ Elbert Hubbard

My wife is my hero.

Yesterday at church, we were parked next to a man and his wife who are struggling physically. She has been battling multiple sclerosis for years, and he is now fighting cancer. As I was getting my mother in the car, we exchanged pleasantries. Barb then came around the corner and asked how he was. His response was, “This is a bad day. The chemo is really kicking my butt.” (The fact that he had gotten out of bed, loaded his wife and her wheelchair in their van, and made it through Mass is a testament of faith and fortitude for him!)

Barb asked, “Is there anything we can do?” He responded somewhat forlornly…”No…thanks.” The Barb did what I and many often don’t do. She asked one more question. “Can we help you by bringing dinner once in awhile? Would that help?” The man very humbly said, “Yes. That would be a big help for my wife. That would be nice.” So off Barb went getting all the particulars on moving forward. That’s only one of the reasons she is my hero.

It did make me think. How often in both personal and professional opportunities, would one more question be crucial? When I’m interviewing a potential new consulting or coaching client, that extra question may lead to finding their true need. When helping a client in a project, asking that one extra question may be the difference in a job well done or not done. When working with an employees, that one extra question could be the difference in resolving conflict, soothing anxiety, or keeping a good employee. The key is staying in the moment. By listening, being present, and reading others, you are better able to determine what that next question should be, plus have the courage to ask it.

This week’s quote - “Let him who would be moved to convince others, be first moved to convince himself” ~ Thomas Carlyle

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