Opportunities

“Opportunities are never lost. Others take the ones we miss.” (Unknown author.)

As business people we are always looking for opportunities. We chase opportunities to market our businesses, market ourselves, or market our business relationships. Opportunities to meet new people, develop prospects into possible customers, or just gain new partners in business arrive in our lives in various forms.

We look for opportunities every day because we build our businesses around them, making our businesses successful. Opportunities are one of the basics of our businesses and should never be overlooked. When presented with opportunities, it is our responsibility to take advantage of them, not allowing them to slip away.

As intelligent business owners we should always be aware of the opportunities that come our way. Maybe we attend a networking event and meet someone who we have never met before. Perhaps we receive an email introducing us to someone that one of our networking partners knows. Possibly we hear of a business opportunity that might enhance our business? Opportunities arrive in all sizes, shapes, and types.

What if someone that you consider a networking partner introduces you to an acquaintance and suggests that you meet and chat? You should do so at the first chance, finding out if you can establish a partnership with the new person. Then you determine if you can help this person find whatever they might need to build their success. You may also find a source that will help your business grow.

Maybe you meet a new acquaintance at a networking event. Now you should decide if you want to explore getting to know this person better. People do business with those who they know, like, and trust. They also refer others to those who they know, like, and trust. How can we ever expect to add these people to our lives unless we take the opportunity to follow up with them and ask them about themselves?

What if we hear of a business opportunity that does not interest us? Maybe we should explore it at least far enough to be able to determine if we know someone who may want to hear about it, someone who may be able to build success from the opportunity. We would have the chance to help someone else and build a strong partner for the future. Of course there is always the possibility that we might be able to leverage this situation for our own benefit.

What happens if we do not take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves to us? Do they pass away, never to be seen again, or do they fall to our competition or other business owners to follow to possible success? Do we actually believe that these opportunities are only evident to us, or do others see them, looking like ripe fruit hanging on low branches, waiting for someone to harvest?

Opportunities may present themselves is many different guises. Applying the principles of Gratitude Marketing to opportunities may help us directly or indirectly, and karma will always reward the giver as well as the receiver of opportunities which pass from one person to another. Please leave me your comments here, or email me at Jim@SOC4Now.com, or call me at 360-314-8691.