2 weeks ago I met with an excellent fellow business owner based in Oxfordshire. Just like me he underpins his own business using the skills earned over years of consultancy work for other companies. Indeed the gentleman that I met with is another structural engineer. You may be thinking, what is it that I am doing consorting with another business in market competition with mine? It's worth me chatting about that for a blog post - I think.
Whether we like it or not, the business world is tightly interlinked with many available avenues of work, networking and learning. Shutting yourself off from others in your field of experience seems to me like you are flicking the v's to opportunity and reason... feels like should be trying to make room for improvement more.
When I started my business, I didn't want to cut my self off as I wanted the choice to be able to share work if I got inundated... I wanted choices. The ability to collaborate and help others whilst helping myself too. Win-win.
When I met this engineering fella.. I found a kindred spirit. Someone willing to push ahead and utilise the latest tech available to help with future expansion and scaling issues. His eye well and truly fixated on the future. I admired that. I relate to that.
What happens if you can't deliver during a fast expansion? You annoy your clients. All that hard work laid to waste because you couldn't manage the work load. Better to have someone who you want to trust to help you out and vice versa, surely?
For a solitary engineer there are lots and lots of other reasons for joining forces... specialisms... key competencies... enjoyment of work tasks that you actually want to do... The list goes on. Trust is what you need and collaboration can only only start one way. With you. Try it.
Might be the best thing that you ever did for your work life balance.
Engine[er]
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Location:Banbury, Oxfordshire
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Totally agree. Met with a local networking group recently who actively welcome more than one representative of each business type because the 'closed shop' doesn't really do anyone any good.
ReplyDeleteIt's like closing your mind to the future in terms of both technological advances and the problems of possible gluts of work. And who better to chew over the fat of your industry with than someone who knows it in the same way that you do - but might see certain aspects in a slightly different light.
It's how we grow - both as business owners and in our knowledge of our own field.
Good Luck to you Glen!
From another small business owner who has recently set out on her own :)
Thank you for the comments Jo. Collaboration is key to sharing knowledge for sure, and showing your customers that you are ready to share as well as learn 'feels' right.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you too!