Perfect Opportunity

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About 8 years ago I sat next to this guy for over 16 hours and now we are doing business together. Today I built him into the pricing giving him a share of the business. You just never know who you will meet when and where and this is a prime example.

I haven't written a business post in a while as there isn't much to write about as things are seriously bad. Not as bad as what other companies are experiencing as we are still ticking and there is a heartbeat. Most of my clients are down 60 percent which is horrendous, but the important part is they are still operating.

Today was one of those days where you feel inspired to take on the world with your phone and to just get dialing. I used to be like that every morning over a year ago and now it is every other day or third day, but the magic still happens at least. I have had enough of negativity and limit myself to twice a week giving it horns and staying in contact with the few customers I have left.

For those of you that follow me you may remember my contact from the plane trip to the States almost 7 years ago now. He is my super contact and the main one I use to unlock the impossible doors to accounts you would normally have no chance with. I phoned him last week and the week before with no luck so I tried again this morning wondering why he is being so elusive.

He answered today luckily as the poor bugger has just come out of hospital after having a rough Covid time. He was like many of us thinking this was nothing and after a clotted lung and God knows what else he pulled through. He admits he was very lucky and also had some deep thinking to do which has obviously changed him as a person. I can relate to that and he appreciated the call anyway as it allowed for a serious two hour conversation.

His company is struggling as the market he sells to (the masses) have no money and are broke. We don't see the life in the town ships, but the majority on $30 unemployment things must be really rough. I asked him straight out about income which he has none for the time being.

He asked me about my company and told him we are hopping along and only hop periodically when we have an order. I have been mulling over the idea of getting an unemployed salesman from my industry but today the answer was sitting on the other end of the phone. I asked him to join me and I would give him a percentage of the business in Johannesburg.

This made sense as it would give him an income and I wouldn't be waiting for tit bits of information as he knows everyone in my industry. We chatted about the problems I was experiencing sitting down with new clients as it was scarce due to the bloody bubbles.

Already just within a few hours he was working on the third new account as they are all his friends and acquaintances. Six months ago he wouldn't be doing this but what choice does he have as an income is an income. There is always an opportunity and yes I took it, but also offered him something in return. He mentioned that he was a little shocked I offered him a slice of the action, but said I would hope someone would do the same for me if I was in the same position.

My business mentor once mentioned would you rather have 100 percent of nothing or 60 percent of a booming business. How true as can recall business partners fighting over percentages in a business that hadn't even started trading. This is the exact same way I am thinking right now as sharing a percentage with the one contact who can generate business quickly makes logical business sense. This year may not be so bad after all.

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6 comments
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That is great that you were able to bring him on to the business. It sounds like it was already a really good move for you. Congrats to both of you on that. It seems like it is going to be a fantastic partnership. Isn't it funny how things can come full circle like that?

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It is all timing as he was into his own business and gave me brad crumbs up till this point. That is what it felt like though and now he is making the calls and this should be far simpler. Weird how this has come about and this will work and yes a full circle which is great.

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Yeah, it can be hard calling someone and saying "I know so and so" and they are like sure, right! So much better to get the call directly from that person. I am really excited for you!

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Yep I remember that story, though I almost mixed him up with your mentor. Smart move indeed, cheers to amazing partnerships

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Thanks. Just good timing with his business struggling and him being sick. He can recover at home and work by speaking to people he already knows so it is perfect right now for both of us.

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