Recently, at the Marlee Shul, over 40 men met to engage in business-to-business networking. The evening featured an opening presentation by Rob Schaumer of Schaumer & Pamensky Business Consulting on “Effective Networking”, where participants were encouraged to seize the opportunity to build relationships and be “of service” to others. An hour of “speed networking” provided everyone with structured yet intensive interactions with 10 other participants. After a brief closing presentation by Jason Li of Enterprise Toronto on valuable City services available for small businesses and entrepreneurs, refreshments were served courtesy of Hermes Bakery and Starbucks. Many attendees continued to network with each other, with conversations even carrying over into the shul parking lot! All in all it was a fantastic event.
הּ‘ב
A guide for what to do in life and how to decide on and how to decide upon a life’s pursuit.
Remember you have about 50 short income earning years, so try your best to do:
1. What you enjoy, what really lights your fire and may even be fun doing?
2. What you are or can readily be trained for?
3. What you are good at and what uses your strengths and innate talents.
4. What fits your life style?
5. Something where you can continuously learn and improve (Not hamburgers at Kosher Mac).
6. What makes you money?
7. What is socially acceptable and has a generally positive perception?
8. What is compatible with Torah – is Shabbos / Yom Tov training / work expected?
9. Whatever your gut tells you is comfortable for you.
10. As the Rebbe so often advised – what a good friend, who is an expert in that area, would advise you to do.
11. Good chemistry between well meaning, honest employers / partners who value relationships.
12. How forgiving are the managers / owners of any of your faults & who almost favour YOU?
13. The level at which the immediate boss / superiors express themselves in English
14. The level of job expertise found among the bosses / superiors
15. What entry level exams, training, courses and / or cost and time of entry?
16. When and where is the training given?
17. Office locations & and any travelling required that may impact on a young demanding family?
18. What computer knowledge is required or expected and does one have that?
19. What is the potential for higher earnings, growth & progress?
20. How long after set up does money come in / cash flow?
21. Do you believe in or can you be taught to believe in the product or service?
22. What is the extent of the competition? Often the more intense, the better. Don’t be a pioneer.
23. How many other people that you know make a living out of it and is it time tested?
24. How much do the top 15% in the company and in the industry make?
25. Is there an openness and a transparency to the industry, the compoany, & its people?
26. How easy, expensive, complicated or time consuming is it to get new business?
27. Is the company’s image professional & well advertised with a good web presence?
28. What does your wife, parents or good friends say?????
29. How many respectable people have been in it for a lifetime. A solid career over time?
Remember also that when people so glibly say; “Time is money” What they really mean is “Time is life”, “Money is blood” and “Knowledge is power” But above all of, Gd controls everything.
Martin Charney.