You’re probably thinking, what does this subject line have to do with entrepreneurship? But, the essence of this question arose yesterday when I received an email from one of my webinar participants inquiring why I’d combined my two groups in one private Facebook page. That is, the ones who’ve been in the program for 5 sessions with the newer students who are only up to Session 2.
In 1997, while attending my first ever NSA annual meeting in California, I attended a workshop where the speaker talked about his career development in terms I’d never heard. He knew that he was using high level language and explained, unapologetically, that his job as a motivational (and I use that term thoughtfully) speaker was “to keep the Toastmasters running after the caravan.”
That image became seared in my mind. Here were the paid professionals holding forth and allowing us newbies to press our faces up to the glass, to mix metaphors, and see what being a pro looked like. It felt aspirational. These NSA’ers had what I wanted, and by joining them and attending their meetings, I was going to learn what they knew.
It had me breathless in anticipation and effort to keep up with and master the arenas they were all playing in. I loved that I got to rub shoulders, listen in and ask questions of the pros. I’d much rather play in a tennis game with someone better than I am than someone not as good. Don’t we all want to up our game?
So it is with intention that I combined the two groups who are participating in my webinar. One group has had four more sessions than the other, are deeply engaged in comparing notes, sharing successes, products and resources with each other. It may be a stretch for those who are newer, but my objective is that it become an invitation as well as a temptation to grow and join the conversation.
I love that the two groups are combined. The only hard part is knowing who is in which group. This probably doesn’t matter all that much except to put names/faces to voices. I am slowly sorting it out.
The positives far outweigh the negatives though. For example, several participants from the first group are friends and colleagues already, so it has been great to exchange ideas with them and to receive their feedback. I think the Facebook page is a brilliant idea and has been helping me to stay on track. I am enjoying this webinar series tremendously and highly recommend it.
@Catherine
I’m glad it’s working for you. I heard you had a fabulous rendezvous at Starbucks yesterday. Keep it up!
I couldn’t agree more Jane! I’ve told both of my children that if they want to be better in their chosen sport of basketball then they must always play against/with kids that are better than them or risk “falling back”. Both have improved immensely in their game. As an entrepreneur, you must push yourself every day even if it’s tough or seems too hard. I love hearing/learning from my fellow group 1 webinar-ees and if my work can serve as a learning to the newbies – fantastic.
Brilliant idea, Jane! Having been a web designer for so long it’s kinda sedentary and I ended up joining a Crossfit gym. The sports parallel is right on the money… work out or work with people at a higher fitness level and you have skilled people to learn from, motivation, and a level to aspire to.