Grow your Team

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Teamwork; It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results Andrew Carnegie

(I’m not sure I want to be known as common but I do like the quote….)

I’m learning that one of the most important and long lasting and effective tasks you can do as a business owner of entrepreneur is to grow your team. Just because you work on your own doesn’t mean you have to work on your own.  I am home based, spend long hours at my computer with only the dog to talk to, but I am never lonely! I have a huge network of supporters, friends and confidantes who I can turn to when I’m feeling up, down or every level in between. (Incidentally, being a creative spirit I commonly visit each of these levels several times every day. More, if it’s a full moon:))

I have built up my ‘team’ (for that’s how I see them) in several ways. I am in daily contact with a number of other photographers through Twitter, facebook and blogs; and occasional meetups. The advice, inspiration and banter with others all making their way in a similar field is priceless. No competitive posturing and strutting allowed- there is a firm belief between us that a rising tide raises all boats. We’re in it because we love photography, and the more we can share that passion the better!

Secondly, I have grown my team hugely through joining a networking group called 4 Networking. I still can’t really believe that I paid money to walk into a room full of ‘strangers’ * (*def; a friend you haven’t met yet) and commit to talking about myself in front of everyone; but I did, and I haven’t looked back. I won’t even mention the amount of business I have gained from attending the networking breakfasts; what’s been far more rewarding is the diverse and unexpected connections I’ve made; every time I visit I have at least one conversation which makes a material difference to the way I do business; I’ve had advice on sales techniques; pearls of wisdom about marketing, self confidence; inside tips on pricing and internet strategy; I’ve found a book keeper, an admin assistant and a business coach. Joint initiatives and adventures have been planned, and much fun had in the process! For anyone working in a small business, and especially if you’re on your own, I would say this. Don’t be a stranger. Come and see for yourself.

And there’s more. What I missed about the working life for years and years of being ‘home alone’ was the water cooler moments; the banter; the chit chat, the serendipitous discoveries of coincidences and commonalities between acquaintances that develop into friendships….oh, and the gossip!

But now, I have….. Twitter! Yes, my name is @lightndayphoto and I am a twitterholic. I love it. I’ve built friendships, with people I’ve  met, and people I haven’t. I’ve done business. I’ve taken inspiration (constantly) succour (often) and advice (and even given some too) and had so many laughs I’ve almost forgotten how potentially quiet my working life could be.  Far from degrading my social life, it has strengthened the connections between people. And isn’t that what life is all about?

And here is Ruth.

I met Ruth at my very first networking event. We are now sisters. Need I say more? Meet-Like-Know-Trust is the motto of 4N. We moved right down that path within 10 minutes of meeting….. and will be working together in the near future.

Henry Ford said; “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” It’s working for me.