Comments on: Get Thee Some Advisors http://vanamburggroup.com/blogs/get-thee-some-advisors/ The VanAmburg Group Blog - Marketing Tech Mindshifts Fri, 11 May 2012 17:13:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Greg_Pashke http://vanamburggroup.com/blogs/get-thee-some-advisors/comment-page-1/#comment-274 Greg_Pashke Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:35:56 +0000 http://vanamburggroup.com/blogs/?p=2877#comment-274 Danny, a good suggestion but it might be a bit difficult to monitor. But I have seen things work informally. I belong to a business exchange group that informally accomplishes a lot along the lines of cross-coaching. I've also spoken to many CEO forums and am impressed with how much cross mentoring that goes on. There are common problems that pervade lots of industries and most members are happy to share their knowledge to lessen the learning curve for others. Some are born mentors and delight in being able to help. Danny, a good suggestion but it might be a bit difficult to monitor. But I have seen things work informally. I belong to a business exchange group that informally accomplishes a lot along the lines of cross-coaching.
I've also spoken to many CEO forums and am impressed with how much cross mentoring that goes on. There are common problems that pervade lots of industries and most members are happy to share their knowledge to lessen the learning curve for others. Some are born mentors and delight in being able to help.

]]> By: Greg_Pashke http://vanamburggroup.com/blogs/get-thee-some-advisors/comment-page-1/#comment-273 Greg_Pashke Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:30:12 +0000 http://vanamburggroup.com/blogs/?p=2877#comment-273 Danny, as I mentioned in point 3 of my post the process does not have to be expensive. It’s usually economical. Many candidates are flattered to serve and can be enticed with a warm invitation for assistance. You should be prepared to cover meeting expenses and a modest stipend can go a long way towards fostering a motivated participant. Danny, as I mentioned in point 3 of my post the process does not have to be expensive. It’s usually economical. Many candidates are flattered to serve and can be enticed with a warm invitation for assistance. You should be prepared to cover meeting expenses and a modest stipend can go a long way towards fostering a motivated participant.

]]> By: Danny Lucas http://vanamburggroup.com/blogs/get-thee-some-advisors/comment-page-1/#comment-264 Danny Lucas Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:33:36 +0000 http://vanamburggroup.com/blogs/?p=2877#comment-264 Perhaps a community wide "Advisory Group" could be created, using debits and credit for time served would enhance this thought. As an Engineer, I contribute 3 hours at XYZ operation, gratis. I now have a credit in my own firm for any other "Group Members". So, a banking firm comes over for 2 hours and explains financial packaging for export work, gratis. They have 2 hours credit for anything among members, and I still have an hour of anything else. Once each quarter or half year, ALL members meet with a printout of debit/credit standings. They must equal out in the next quarter to remain a member. That way, everybody serves everybody, and no individual rides on all. Perhaps a community wide "Advisory Group" could be created, using debits and credit for time served would enhance this thought. As an Engineer, I contribute 3 hours at XYZ operation, gratis.
I now have a credit in my own firm for any other "Group Members". So, a banking firm comes over for 2 hours and explains financial packaging for export work, gratis. They have 2 hours credit for anything among members, and I still have an hour of anything else.

Once each quarter or half year, ALL members meet with a printout of debit/credit standings.
They must equal out in the next quarter to remain a member. That way, everybody serves everybody, and no individual rides on all.

]]> By: Danny Lucas http://vanamburggroup.com/blogs/get-thee-some-advisors/comment-page-1/#comment-263 Danny Lucas Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:32:28 +0000 http://vanamburggroup.com/blogs/?p=2877#comment-263 Businessmen and women can easily see the benefits of planting a sole cherry tomato plant out on the back patio in a pot. Later in summer, 500 or more cherry tomatoes are fresh for the picking every day. The investment pays off big time. But to those who have started the business, got it on a plate, set the plate on a stick, and began to spin the business up on that stick and plate, the concept of paying someone a small investment to help and advise is incomprehensible at times. It is not so much hubris as the idea that "I KNOW what I am doing" steps in. And, it is true. But the best hamburger stand man (Ray Kroc) of McDonald's knew little of running a global operation. He sold milkshake machines. But he knew when to ask for advice! My only fear in this scenario is getting an advisory lawyer to give input. They can NOT visualize the unbillable hour. Businessmen and women can easily see the benefits of planting a sole cherry tomato plant out on the back patio in a pot. Later in summer, 500 or more cherry tomatoes are fresh for the picking every day. The investment pays off big time.

But to those who have started the business, got it on a plate, set the plate on a stick, and began to spin the business up on that stick and plate, the concept of paying someone a small investment to help and advise is incomprehensible at times. It is not so much hubris as the idea that
"I KNOW what I am doing" steps in. And, it is true. But the best hamburger stand man (Ray Kroc) of McDonald's knew little of running a global operation. He sold milkshake machines. But he knew when to ask for advice!

My only fear in this scenario is getting an advisory lawyer to give input.
They can NOT visualize the unbillable hour.

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