Seth Godin had a recent blog post on “Bring us your problems” that clarified for me one of the benefits for attending a Bootstrappers Breakfast–for organization you can substitute entrepreneur:
We’re far more aware of our problems than our opportunities. Our problems nag at us, annoy us and paralyze us.
Every organization wrestles with its problems, and is eager to solve them.
When you generously invite people to bring you their problems, they might just do that.
Solving problems—actually solving them, not just claiming you do—solving perceived, urgent problems, is a surefire way to get the world to beat a path to your door.
Here are six ways that I have found attending a Bootstrappers Breakfast can help entrepreneurs solve problems in their businesses:
- Presenting a problem helps you to solve it: composing your thoughts into a narrative or problem statement is often half the battle.
- Even though it’s a small group–typically eight to sixteen entrepreneurs–you are actually tapping into not only the experience around the table but the experience of others that they have worked with or heard stories or advice from.
- Hearing another entrepreneur describe a problem similar to yours can give you a chance to look in the mirror and help you to frame your thinking. And the advice and suggestions they get may also be applicable to your situation.
- If you are just getting started a Bootstrappers Breakfast gives you a chance to present your ideas or practice your elevator pitch in a supportive environment.
- Sometimes the questions you ask others or the advice you offer is also applicable to your current situation–you may have been facing the same problem or held back by the same mistakes or habits without realizing it.
- Getting your mind off yourself and working on other entrepreneur’s problems can get you out of a rut and bring a fresh perspective to your business when you next think about it.
There’s so much to be said about #6!
Over the past few years, so many people have suffered with the economic changes, and many can’t seem to move forward. It is a shame to see people who have valuable expertise, experience and work ethics, yet aren’t able to make a place for themselves in the new economy. If more of these people carved out a little time to hear about what’s challenging others, they might become more aware of how they could help, and how their skills are valuable to businesses today.
From my personal experience… at one breakfast, I was surprised to bump into someone I had met at a networking event in a far-away city. He had just relocated for personal reasons and needed to rebuild his business. I could offer contacts and information about relevant local organizations where he could prospect. He reciprocated with something I had not expected – a contact who quickly became a paying client.
One thing you missed: I like coming because I learn about new tools, new resources, and new Meetups that other founders have found valuable.
I am preparing to bootstrap my own company and attend the Bootstrapper Breakfasts when I can. It gives me hope that I can get my idea off the ground this year.