Comments on: Pirate Crew Maneuvers

By: D. Faintuch

D. Faintuch — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:01:02 +0000

great post.
for those interested in learning more, the book e-myth is really the best resource on this topic.

By: D. Faintuch

D. Faintuch — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:01:02 +0000

great post.
for those interested in learning more, the book e-myth is really the best resource on this topic.

By: Jamie Wallace

Jamie Wallace — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:22:21 +0000

Delegation in the pirate nation – always a challenge for those of us at the helm of our rogue ships. Whether the issue at hand revolves around financial concerns, or an often misplaced fear of giving away our treasured ideas, trying to do it all yourself will usually wind up sending you in circles when you could be slicing through the waves.

I can SAY this with conviction, but am at least as guilty as the next bucaneer when it comes to ignoring my own advice. I am learning, however. In March, I became one of six women who launched a blog called Savvy B2B Marketing. The project developed in a very organic way as a result of a chance meeting at a virtual writers' summit. Although our blog is still a rowboat, we are constantly amazed at how much we've been able to accomplish in the last few months. We launched, have consistenly published quality content, have garnered comments from some fairly big names in our space, and have just kicked off a guest blogger series. We're sometimes shocked (and always thrilled) at our little successes. Though we come from diverse backgrounds, we all agree that pooling our talents and time is absolutely one of the keys to our success. Our complementary capabilties and ego-free collaboration have served us well thus far and are, I think, a great example of a pirate partnership that works.
Thanks, as always, for the great ideas.

By: Mitch Joel - Twist Image

Mitch Joel - Twist Image — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 02:15:50 +0000

It would serve you (and others who have commented) well to read the book, The E-Myth Revisited, by Michael Gerber.

There's a big difference between working in your business and working on your business.

By: Mary Anne Shew

Mary Anne Shew — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:44:29 +0000

Chris: You probably know you are not alone in feeling this way. Have you come across a book called E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber? The book addresses this exact issue.

I'm a regular reader and fan and follower (@shewtime) of yours–keep up the great work!

By: Elias A Salem

Elias A Salem — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 18:25:41 +0000

Chris,
How do you do that when you are first starting out and there isn't much cash flow. I have trouble putting into words how I can help people. I can't even write up my own bio for my website. I would love to have someone else do that for me but I can afford it. How do I get around this dilemma? Any suggestions?
Thanks,
E

By: Gillian

Gillian — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 12:35:49 +0000

I agree and disagree. Here's why…. I think we should always play to our strengths and not fall into the trap of doing everything we are capable of doing since we cannot be experts at everything. Capable and expertise being two different things which have time implications. I concluded a couple of months back that I should not do my own websites and blog (other than decide on layout, content and write content). If I hired someone else to do them my time was freed up to put my knowledge and true expertise into preparing teleseminars and e books on starting and growing small businessess. BUT… and here's why I disagree with you in some ways… I hired someone who has a great reputation on the internet, is experienced and knowledgeable but – does not have a reliable team around her so my website , which should have been completed by the end of May, has not even been sent to me as a first draft yet and days go by before e mails are responded to… I could have done the darn thing myself in less time…. So…moral of the story – recognise where you are not an expert, hire an expert to do the work BUT do not pay in advance, have a written, signed contract in place so that they have to deliver certain elements by a certain date if not the contract falls and they are not paid a penny. This will flush out the experts who are also professional, competent business people. These are the ones to do business with and spend your hard earned dollars on. Otherwise you waste time chasing them and coaxing them that you could spend doing the work yourself.

By: Gina Kay Landis

Gina Kay Landis — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 06:25:24 +0000

While it is very gratifying to do things oneself (is that correct verbiage? meh.), it definitely has drawbacks. I keep a lot of things in my head - and if not written down, who's to know how to do those things if I get hit by, say, a pet food truck? No one. So I have trained myself to show others how to do not only basic things, but more complex things. If I can do a tutorial on something versus only in-person verbal training, I'll do that. If a class needs to be whittled down from the heady notions of a trainer into writing or at least assembled into something recognizable, I'll do that (or push the lead person to allow me to do it =)!

It's massively important to have a team with whom you can work, who can take over the tasks that they are best suited for (all the while keeping an eye open for talents heretofore unseen), and free oneself up for the work, play and creativity that is key to continuing the business.

You've got it there, Chris. As hard as it is to remind yourself that your best work is not all work, it's still necessary.

Thanks for sharing what you know and giving us the opportunity to pitch in on this post.

By: Kevin Thompson

Kevin Thompson — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 06:20:26 +0000

Eric Schmidt talked about this in his commencement speech. He said "Do things in groups" and mentioned that groups move faster. I agree! As a solo practicing lawyer, I try to teach my assistants how to fish instead of doing all the work. My practice will not scale at all if I have to crank out tons of administrative stuff. I create instructions that I give to my virtual assistant in India. If he ever leaves, I've got the instructions and can easily get the next one up to speed. I talk about this in this short presentation. It is possible to run a law practice under $100. http://voicethread.com/#q.b536054.i2868384

By: Eric Rasmussen

Eric Rasmussen — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 04:43:33 +0000

Thanks man for the compliments! We love working with you guys! Way to much fun!