There is Enough Business to Go Around

This is something that every small business owner or solo consultant should know. There is enough business to go around. The key is making the thing that makes you unique known. Recently, I went to a Galentines event for South Shore Women in Marketing at Oro in Scituate. All of us, plus the other 50+ women on the list, are in marketing and live and/or work on the South Shore. Imagine that - all of us are productively running businesses or working in the field at the same time!

In my humble experience, in situations of competition, there is rarely more than one actual fit for the client. Being good at talking your prospect into signing you isn't necessarily a sign of success. It just means you're a good salesperson or that you really enjoy the competition. Nothing wrong with that if you want to and can provide what that particular situation calls for. 

In a room filled with marketers, you would think there would be some rivalry. But at  this South Shore Women in Marketing event, the specializations of the 30 or so in attendance were diverse and complementary. Since this event, we have passed around names and suggestions and potentially helped find an entry-level role for one attendee's daughter.

Am I the type of person who enjoys the thrill of the kill? No. But I do enjoy finding the right fit for the people and businesses I encounter. At the end of the day, the reminder is simple: there is enough business to go around. Focus less on competing for the opportunity and more on being clear about what you do best. Then the right projects and people tend to appear. Along the way, you might even find some who are valuable collaborators.

Photo credit to someone at Oro using one of these women's phones.