Sharpening the Axe
Today I learned I am a bit rusty.
It has been 2.5 years since I sold my business and I have worked the odd contract job and projects since then but I haven't had to do much selling of my own personal value proposition.
Today, I had a conference call with the owners of a local small business who are looking for someone to manage the business. Oddly enough, around a year and half ago this business was for sale and I considered purchasing it. I ended up not going through with it because a) I didn't feel I was ready to get back on the horse so to speak and b) there was one element of the business that I was concerned was relationship dependent and I would potentially be exposed to the risk of these customers leaving along with the owner (of 28 years). It seems the business is still doing well and the risk I was concerned about wasn't really an issue, but the new owners didn't anticipate the learning curve and time commitment required to maintain and further grow the business. Hence, why they are looking for someone to take the day to day reigns.
I don't want to beat myself up too much. I think I comported myself well on the call, but I was not impressed with my performance. I felt off the whole call. Slightly nervous and rushing to get my points across rather than that natural, symbiotic flow of conversation when you are on the same wavelength as someone else. I am confident my resume speaks for itself. I believe I can provide great value to this business and whether this arrangement does or does not go through likely hinges more on the nuts and bolts (scope of work, hierarchical structure, remuneration, autonomy etc) than on this call, but no one likes to feel they didn't perform their best.
My biggest takeaway is even if this arrangement doesn't come to pass I need to think about shaking off the rust and sharpening my axe for the next one or for when I do decide to start my own business again.
It's time to get back into "game shape". If stackers have any suggestions, tips or tricks for how to be ready for the arena when you have been out of the arena for awhile, please feel free to share.
Thanks for reading,
Sats for all,
GR