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April 13, 2018 at 1:40 am #1214501Up::0
I think people are also just so used to being given the answers to things (in school, via Alexia, etc) without having to think.
Flying Solo is a great resource, but you’re still required to think and analyse the info to see how it applies to your own situation. Perhaps it’s overwhelming for some. You’d like to reassure people that there are no silly questions but really…Bert’s highlighted a few of them.
There are so many people who aren’t cut out for running a business, but I agree with Greg and others that the shift towards ‘gigging’ and everyone trying to be an entrepreneur or start-up founder, is pushing more people towards forums like FS.
Perhaps we need some sort of flow diagram for new forum members to follow when they join up, to link them to some resources that might help, and get them to think and learn first, before posting a question?
April 13, 2018 at 2:31 am #1214502Up::0Great comments Greg.
I think it is easy to be critical, god knows I am, and often roll my eyes when I see some questions on here. I think the message everyone gets should be asking what research they have done themselves. But it will never happen, and even if it did, telling people to do their own research probably isn’t the best way of welcoming them.
(It is ironic though, that with easier access to information, people appear less likely to actually look things up?)But when we look at forums like this, this lack of research has resulted in an explosion of coaches/mentors, marketers and all manner of other services that hardly existed before. Forgetting our views on whether we see them as beneficial or not for a moment, most would not be here if they didn’t see it as a way of benefiting their business by way of new clients or even just reputational.
People want free advice, businesses want free ways to promote themselves, the forum has to pay the bills, so needs to receive paid advertisements to show them both. Everyone gets something, but being free, the first two often have quality issues.
I have no doubt if people had to pay to receive advice or pay to promote their business, the quality of questions/information would be much better. Question though – Who would pay? I wouldn’t come here if I had to pay. Others might, but instead of 120,000 members (which is nonsense anyway?) there would be maybe a few hundred. Maybe that would be better, but then the forum owner wouldn’t get the advertising dollars.
Another question I have about forums, and I think of this about my LinkedIn membership all the time – If I don’t get any benefit from being here, why am I? That is probably one reason people leave over time?
I do however have some differences of opinion from the OP. An example:-
I am not so sure potential customers of a new product beforehand are always the best to know what is best for them (want vs need). If customers were the driver of new and innovative products, then nothing new or innovative would ever be produced. The whole digital economy is based around trying new stuff, succeeding or failing and either rejigging or moving to something else. This image below comes to mind.
So advice or comments are never going to always be the same anyway. And heading in a new direction myself recently, I have found that even after looking myself, it isn’t always easy to find the right answer.
For me, this sums it up:-
If you accept some of my argument is true, then it becomes even more important that resources like FS exist, and that among the BS artists and self promoters there’s the occasional gem that breaks through and helps someone move forward.
April 13, 2018 at 9:20 am #1214503Up::0Great thread Bert.
We meet with lots of relatively inexperienced early stage / start-up businesses and what you see here is similar to what we encounter offline. However, fortunately it seems many of the aspirational FS forum members stop short of jumping off the cliff (after realising that free wifi at their planned café is not actually a USP).
I think the “go see an accountant” or “go see a lawyer” works because our industries have relatively prescriptive technical frameworks (albeit vast). Our solutions are not so subjective (many tax outcomes are quite measurable). However, if you start pressing into the “advisory” space (coaching, mentoring, consulting) then I agree it can sometimes be a less compelling proposition for a start-up. I find business consulting solutions work better with established businesses where the owners have an objective understanding of their strengths and weaknesses and environmental opportunities and threats.
I prefer to deliver harsher reality check / truth bombs face to face. It is very easy to miscommunicate online and that leads to bad outcomes all round.
But wholeheartedly agree with your sentiment. Aspiration and enthusiasm need to be tempered with patience and objectivity. Not everyone it cut out for it (despite plethora of self help gurus that say otherwise).
Helping build better businesses and better lives with expert financial and taxation advice. info@360partners.com.au www.360partners.com.au 03 9005 4900April 13, 2018 at 9:38 am #1214504Up::0In keeping with the Spirit of Bert’s OP I think subsequent posts are rearranging the chairs on the Titanic. I know everyone loves the history of Flying Solo but it’s a new time now.
The Flying Solo Forum could be an incredible business foundation for new entrepreneurs but it needs to change… and the changes are relatively easy to implement.
April 13, 2018 at 9:57 am #1214505Up::0Warren Cottis, post: 258471, member: 129 wrote:In keeping with the Spirit of Bert’s OP I think subsequent posts are rearranging the chairs on the Titanic. I know everyone loves the history of Flying Solo but it’s a new time now.The Flying Solo Forum could be an incredible business foundation for new entrepreneurs but it needs to change… and the changes are relatively easy to implement.
Hey Warren. I agree with the massive underlying value of the forum but out of curiosity what are the most important or major changes that you think would add value?
Helping build better businesses and better lives with expert financial and taxation advice. info@360partners.com.au www.360partners.com.au 03 9005 4900April 14, 2018 at 2:10 am #1214506Up::0I totally get you Bert. I’m flabbergasted by the inability of some would be entrepreneurs to research online when so much is available these days. Their lack of initiative is dazzling.
However, saying that. My personal feeling is that “advice” is only a small part of the Flying Solo experience. I’m here for the synergy. There’s an infectious buzz from bouncing ideas around or being with other small business people going through the same struggles. It makes me want to strive to be better at marketing, production and all things business. It motivates me to be better and see opportunities even within the occasional lemon.
And for that I am happy.
April 14, 2018 at 2:17 am #1214507Up::0El Arish Tropical Exotics, post: 258475, member: 6734 wrote:However, saying that. My personal feeling is that “advice” is only a small part of the Flying Solo experience. I’m here for the synergy. There’s an infectious buzz from bouncing ideas around or being with other small business people going through the same struggles. It makes me want to strive to be better at marketing, production and all things business. It motivates me to be better and see opportunities even within the occasional lemon.Oh don’t get me wrong, I agree fully with your comment. Definitely not a comment in regards to that, I still find i learn little tips and tricks along the way.
April 14, 2018 at 6:16 am #1214508Up::0Hi James Millar
I have some thoughts and ideas but what I was really suggesting is this.
If the Flying Solo Team workshopped and analysed Bert’s comments and the Thread overall, they could potentially come up with an even better model for the Flying Solo Forum.
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