My name is Philip Stephano and I am one of the founding members of The Capital Corner, a non-profit micro venture capital company that invests in minority and small businesses in under-served urban neighborhoods.
Today I want to talk to all entrepreneurs who are in the process of beginning a new venture or trying to grow an existing business. I want to tell you about the power of "yes". "Yes" is a particularly powerful word and an even more powerful attitude, especially in the early days of a venture. "Yes" will open up new opportunities to you. It will expand your professional networks. It will allow you to multiply your connections and create new business.
Sometimes in the early days of The Capital Corner I would meet a new person and they would invite me to an event. Of course I said yes to as many of these invitations as possible. Sometimes I would be heading out the door and my wife would ask me, "why are you going to this?" or "don't you have more productive things to do?" Many times I didn't have a "good" answer. I would tell her, "I'm just saying "yes" right now." I would leave the house having no idea of what the return would be on my time. In other words I had no specific deal to pitch, no specific person to talk to, and no specific outcome I was expecting.
I want to report to you that the results have been spectacular. It is surprising how many people are willing to be generous with their time, their knowledge, and their own contacts. It is also amazing how many people, who I thought I knew, already had beneficial insight, contacts, or even expertise in related fields.
"Yes", however can only help the prepared. It is of utmost importance that one does the work necessary before undertaking the path of "yes". In the case of The Capital Corner my partner Majic and I had written our mission statement, designed our logo, and had thoroughly prepared our "talking points" and our "elevator pitch". This lubricated the social situation so we could quickly move towards people who were understanding our vision.
Obviously, "yes" is not a panacea. It is not a substitute for preparedness and it certainly is not the answer to team building or deal making. What "yes" can do is create buzz, charisma of a business idea, and it can allow an idea to grow beyond the personalities of the business's founders.
You've been in the woodshed. You've been defining your business. You've worn a hole in your chair and your keyboard skills on the computer are now off the chart. It's time to go out in the world. Say yes to meet people. Say yes to attend an event. Say yes to contacting someone who has been referred to you. Get off yer tail and go out in the world. You are ready, and armed with "yes" you will soon develop a network of supporters.
...and remember, if someone tells you something can't be done, that only tells you one thing: they're not the ones who are going to do it!
The author, Philip Stephano, is owner of PrimalTweet a social media marketing company in Bucks County, PA. He is passionate about helping local and regional business around the country to use social media as an effective tool to find local prospects and customers. To learn more about Stephano go to http://about.me/philipstephano
Remember, it is important to keep these allies updated on your activities. If you are good on the phone then call people and tell them what's happening. If you email, then send updates. If you can blog then blog. Even if someone doesn't have something of immediate benefit to your venture they may come across someone who does. Also these relationships may bear fruit at a later stage of your project such as team building or even political contacts. If your project is out of their sight it will be out of their minds.
In another blog we will explore the power of "no" and when to apply it. The twist on this is that "no" is equally powerful in different stages of a project. Are you interested in learning more? Just say "yes".
...and remember, if someone tells you something can't be done, that only tells you one thing: they're not the ones who are going to do it!
The author, Philip Stephano, is owner of PrimalTweet a social media marketing company in Bucks County, PA. He is passionate about helping local and regional business around the country to use social media as an effective tool to find local prospects and customers. To learn more about Stephano go to http://about.me/philipstephano
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