Information and knowledge are meant to be shared with others. By helping people succeed and achieve their goals, we contribute to all of society in general, and to the individual in particular. By sharing what we know, everyone wins.
Of course, not everyone is inclined to provide a peek into their vast stores of information and know how. When I was young, it was very common for people to hoard every scrap and morsel of knowledge like pennies for a rainy day. Even how to ideas for crafts like quilting or tricks of the trade for home building projects were off limits to the uninitiated. If you didn't know it, no one was about to teach anything to you. As a result of that experience, I vowed to share information with others as often as possible.
Along with the desire to help others accomplish their goals and objectives, I always make certain to learn more information on almost every topic. I am constantly buying books on subjects either practical or arcane. I try to learn as much as possible. The mind is a muscle that demands workouts to expand and develop. A few books are barbells for the brain.
Along with learning information from books, both practical and theoretical, I have also retained most of the experiences I had from my employment and entrepreneurial careers. Whether good memories of prosperous moments, or nightmarish bad times, they are all useful information for the present and the future. You never know when the same situations will arise again. Avoiding a previous wrong decision makes the bad moments of the past well worth an honest review.
A post mortem of what went badly can go a long way toward making the correct decision the next time. Learn to recognize patterns in your current and previous businesses and careers. While history might not repeat exactly, the same general business issues arise again and again. There will always be cash flow shortages, the need to find new customers, problem clients, and a shifting economy and market place. Learning to recognize these similarities will ease the blow to your bottom line. The practice might even enhance your profitability.
As always, share what you have learned with others. Make certain that your experience and those of your staff are shared with everyone in your organization. Be certain, as well, to offer assistance and advice to the general business community. No, I'm not suggesting telling everyone your company balance sheet or latest business research data. What I am recommending is hlping others with general and specific suggestions for improving their marketing, public relations, research and development, production, distribution, customer service, and personnel decisions.
Offer to speak to community groups and business organizations. Accept one on one mentoring and consultations with other business people. Speak to students at schools about your industry and the importance of business and entrepreneurship to the community and to the economy. Interview with other bloggers and discuss ideas in blogging and business roundtable discussions. Make yourself available as a speaker in your areas of expertise. You are limited only by your imagination.
Sharing your wisdom with others will have a positive effect on your own business as well. People will want to hear your ideas or read them on your blog. Your respect as a knowledgeable source of ideas in the industry will rise exponentially, especially if the media regards you as a go to person as well. You will have the continued respect of those you help along the way.
Perhaps, most importantly, you will know as you look in the mirror that you are a person who helps others succeed. In the end, when we look back and can say that we helped others achieve their goals and improve the lives of themselves, their families, and those of their associates, we know our lives have made a difference.
Make a difference to someone's life today.
Share your knowledge and experience. Don't hoard information away like a miser.
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