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Working link: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:KgbmD-Qgp08J:www.ruleyourrealm.com/my-bad-habit-that-cost-me-thousands+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl

by taroth 14y ago

Working link: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:KgbmD-Qgp08J:www.ruleyourrealm.com/my-bad-habit-that-cost-me-thousands+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:KgbmD-Q... As a college student who likes to pick the brains of entrepreneurs, this post made me feel guilty. I can't really afford their advice, but I need it and value it. How can I provide value to the entrepreneurs that are so generous as to meet with me?

paulerdos 14y ago
"I can't really afford .. but I ... value it" . I sometimes hear this and think, do you really? Customer pays for expensive car, hits the right social standing events, but consulting services get the "I can't really afford" story. Truth is that we don't value consulting on subjective issues because there is little conclusive data indicating that the consulting resulted in increased value.
- taroth 14y ago
  Your point is that people will only appreciate advice that confers direct results (fancy car->invited to fancy parties). I evaluate advice against where I am and where I am aiming to be, which means that advice that isn't practical now (ie how to sell a company) can still be useful for guiding future decisions. Perhaps a useful metaphor would be that future-oriented advice is a amplifying lens on the headlights of my business. I can make better decisions, because I can see further down the road.
patio11 14y ago
1) "Pick the brains" suggests useless parasitism which is unlikely to turn into a meaningful change for the world on the basis of that advice. Stop asking to pick brains. Start exercising discretion and coming to people having done your homework and being ready to diligently apply the specific advice you are seeking. 2) Many people whose advice you want are not primarily motivated by money. They already have money. Give them something they didn't wake up with, like an intellectually engaging conversation, a sincere thank-you, and/or the opportunity to have someone take their advice and report a win.
- thenomad 14y ago
  "Many people whose advice you want are not primarily motivated by money." Yes, yes, yes. I've gotten useful advice even from direct competitors simply by offering them the chance to give advice. People like to give advice. It makes most people feel respected, of importance and value, and generally good. Indeed, it is worth bearing in mind, throughout life and business in particular, that there are a lot of motivations beyond money. I see far too many filmmakers and other entrepreneurs fall into the trap of believing that in a negotiation, the guy with more money has all the power.
- taroth 14y ago
  Thank you, your answer bridged a gap for me. Will drop an update here as soon as I apply it.

by taroth 14y ago

paulerdos 14y ago

"I can't really afford .. but I ... value it" . I sometimes hear this and think, do you really? Customer pays for expensive car, hits the right social standing events, but consulting services get the "I can't really afford" story. Truth is that we don't value consulting on subjective issues because there is little conclusive data indicating that the consulting resulted in increased value.

taroth 14y ago
Your point is that people will only appreciate advice that confers direct results (fancy car->invited to fancy parties). I evaluate advice against where I am and where I am aiming to be, which means that advice that isn't practical now (ie how to sell a company) can still be useful for guiding future decisions. Perhaps a useful metaphor would be that future-oriented advice is a amplifying lens on the headlights of my business. I can make better decisions, because I can see further down the road.

patio11 14y ago

1) "Pick the brains" suggests useless parasitism which is unlikely to turn into a meaningful change for the world on the basis of that advice. Stop asking to pick brains. Start exercising discretion and coming to people having done your homework and being ready to diligently apply the specific advice you are seeking. 2) Many people whose advice you want are not primarily motivated by money. They already have money. Give them something they didn't wake up with, like an intellectually engaging conversation, a sincere thank-you, and/or the opportunity to have someone take their advice and report a win.

thenomad 14y ago
"Many people whose advice you want are not primarily motivated by money." Yes, yes, yes. I've gotten useful advice even from direct competitors simply by offering them the chance to give advice. People like to give advice. It makes most people feel respected, of importance and value, and generally good. Indeed, it is worth bearing in mind, throughout life and business in particular, that there are a lot of motivations beyond money. I see far too many filmmakers and other entrepreneurs fall into the trap of believing that in a negotiation, the guy with more money has all the power.
taroth 14y ago
Thank you, your answer bridged a gap for me. Will drop an update here as soon as I apply it.