Given some recent conversations I have had, I felt it was important to write this blog, realizing that it is somewhat different from most of my other posts, but I hope it makes sense, and possibly inspires you in one way or another…..
Like many people who enter the world of commerce, I left university bright eyed and bushy tailed with only a handful of contacts and the knowledge of what I had learned over the last four years. I knew there would be a long road ahead of me, and I wouldn’t get to where I am today without a little help from my friends, so to speak.
In business, it seems, that many people like to talk the talk, without necessarily walking the walk. Many industry professionals like to talk a big game when it comes to being philanthropic, whether they donate to charities, volunteer their time every so often, or offer a helping hand to those young people up and coming in their respective fields. Unfortunately. I have found over the years, that when contacting some of these people, what they say they are willing to do doesn’t always line up with reality. Often times people are too busy for you, sometimes they are condescending, while others won’t even return your call. While this is an unfortunate truth within the business world, it is not what I intend this blog to discuss.
Instead I just want to take this space to give a shout out to all of those contacts I have made over the years who have made some time for me. From lawyers to accountants, presidents of major corporations (banks, insurance, newspapers) to owners of sports teams and hotel chains, no matter how wealthy, or important, or busy they may be, throughout my time I have found that there does exist a group of people who know the importance a wise word and helping hand can be to a self made man like myself. It can be difficult to know where to start in the business world, and just as tough knowing where to go once you are on your feet. It is with help from people like I have just mentioned, that got me where I am today, and hopefully where I aspire to be in the years to come.
I believe there is an old saying that reads something like…give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, but teach a man to fish you feed him for a lifetime. To all of you who have helped me to learn how to fish…and you know who you are…thank you for your time, advice, and direction. To others who are in a position to help out, I encourage you to teach others how to fish.
