Month: September 2024

When information is “transferred”, when it is “passed from one to another”,  no one  “loses” anything.

This being the conclusion after an experiment  undertaken in the slums of New Delhi in which street kids taught themselves how to use a computer to access and use the internet.

The proposition is that we have everything to gain by sharing what we know. The key needed to open doors to opportunities offered on the net.

Facilitating the transfer of skills and know how.

Nothing new in this. Shared experiences and the development of virtual online communities where the value generated can be filtered down directly to whoever makes the effort to participate and contribute.

This is what we mean by a Poorman’s Franchise

Badly timed I have no doubt. But I have decided to start reaching out and looking to see if I cant interest a corporate partner to start looking at Ask a Local.

My first enquiry was a Contact form addressed to One Stop . Local community convenience stores that are a Tesco subsidary which I have a preference for. Reasonable pricing and no minimum charge on credit cards.

I have been lucky.

The job I have is more frustrating than it is challenging. Few if any staff benefits, together with zero chance of career advancement and development opportunities.

But I am still employed.

The money that’s still needed, is deposited into the bank every month and as long as I bite my tongue and keep my head down, we will be OK. Which is more than can be said for many in these troubled times.

As often as I think about it, I have to remind myself just one of the reasons why working for oneself is not always what it is cracked up to be. Besides the ever present uncertainty there inevitably comes a time in every growing business, when you have to start making compromises. Times when you start to wonder why the hell you ever got yourself into the situation.

Obstacles, challenges and problems which can never be anticipated.

More often than not, complications which begin to surface once you start employing others to do the things you no longer have time or the skills you need. The point at which your needs, the needs of the business have to be tempered and watered down to accommodate ‘others’.

When clarity and singular purpose is superseded by the need to communicate, to share and grow relationships. Never an easy transition.

Reason to think twice about making the jump? Maybe not.

Few ever listen and those that do will never know. Something I would probably do all over again. But once bitten an experience that makes a good argument to continue looking for that elusive alternative.

A reason to hang onto what I have for now. Whilst I build from  home brick by brick . No staff, minimal overheads and a recurring monthly income. The perfect business.