Small Business | Fred Posner

Stop Networking / Start Helping

I read a great blog post from Jeff Archibald called Stop Networking. It’s a great read (and it’s linked… so please read it) and something I related to personally.

I’ve been in many “networking groups” throughout the years. From the Chamber of Commerce to BNI, lunch groups (like A2B3) to social groups, my experiences with ANY networking group is mirrored in Jeff’s article.

Stop Networking & Start Helping

Stop thinking of your local business events as “networking opportunities” and start thinking of them as opportunities to help people. Be a giver, not a taker. Change your mindset from a selfish one to an unselfish one. It’ll come back around, trust me.Jeff Archibald

For me, helping people has been the only way to build lasting relationships and referral partners.

Yeni and I love going to DisneyWorld — our one big spend each year is annual passes. We go as often as we can… not as often as we’d like… but we get there 20+ times a year.

We each have our favorite places.

Castle Courtyard

Yeni loves the Magic Kingdom… I love Epcot. The castle is her house… I can sit on the People Mover for hours. We both love Main Street, England, the Land, and Chefs de France.

Main Street (or officially Main Street, U.S.A. since we’re talking DisneyWorld) was meant to showcase the typical turn of the century (1900 not 2000) American Main Street.

For those of us who remember the carefree time it recreates, Main Street will bring back happy memories. For younger visitors, it is an adventure in turning back the calendar to the days of grandfather’s youth.Walt Disney

Recently, the good ol’ Main Street Bakery was replaced by a Starbucks.

Many people were excited about the change. Lines to get a cup of coffee went out the door. Literally. You could see the Starbucks mermaid more than Ariel.

Yeni and I did not welcome the change.

I found it ironic that an attraction showcasing the carefree time of yesteryear saw a big, national chain replace a local shop.

Of course, I’m one of the few who actually wonder why Starbucks is so popular. A good cup of coffee, at a better price, can be found at your local coffee shop.

Now… finding a local coffee shop still in business? That’s the difficult part.