Points to ponder... walk softly and conceal your big stick

Not off topic, but the message is dauntingly broad....  To the point and very very serious and impacting for any young (or old) entrepreneur.

I want you all to visit two links... the first is the february issue of coral magazine, please proceed through and read the editors introduction, and then read the first letter to the editor.

http://coralmagazine.coverleaf.com/coral/20100102#pg1

the direct link to the letters page is here

http://coralmagazine.coverleaf.com/coral/20100102#pg9

now... take a look at the following (I can be found posting under Joe Thompson and THEJRC... do understand that many of the posters in both of these forums are VERY well respected in both scientific and hobbyist communities and people I regard highly as personal mentors)

http://www.reefstewardshipfoundation.org/forums/showthread.php?p=16007#post16007

http://www.reefstewardshipfoundation.org/forums/showthread.php?p=16007#post16007

For anyone out there running or thinking of starting a small business... in any level, anyone who makes contact with multiple people, anyone selling something... heed these words...

first of all... EVERYONE is selling something, even the hobbyists at MASM who are focused on captive propagation, while mostly not for profit.. they are selling an idea and a passion for stewardship.  Mark that point in your head as I continue on.

Long ago I started my own IT consulting firm, Dancing Horse Technology, Inc.  I decided I wanted to do it right so I formed it as a fully functional corporation, real taxes, real bookkeeping, real insurance, real scary.  Anyone who knows me will say at most any given time that I'm definately a character... I'm extremely outspoken, often abrasive, cuss like a sailor, and tend to find it way too easy to speak my mind.  This is a double edged sword when dealing with the public.

This lesson was learned very quickly for me.  My own views both political, religious, and personal have very little to do with day to day association with the public.  That is NOT to say that my actions and decisions are not affected, but I have learned to calculate compromise and interestingly enough excercise some patience in my snappy responses.  In essence... you dont cuss out nuns nor do you concede to bullies.  Each action and thought is valid but it has it's place.

Many see a climate change argument, on either side and it gives way and leverage for either side to get their "digs" in.  I simply ask... whats the point?  Arguing and finger pointing still does not solve anything... want an example... look at the Toyota recall situation.  Calculated action within ones means solves problems.  Try not to lose me here...

What I see in these threads and the letter is a small business owner who has made a small, accidental, yet very very fatal mistake.  He became overly emotional about a political subject in a commercial realm where regardless of who is right... a problem exists and the solution lies within his means to start.  I dont blame him, I cant chastise him, and while I dont disagree with some of his views... I do disagree with the other half of his views and his method of action.  It happens.  I've made these same mistakes and even now as I type this blog I am working hard to hold back my political tilt and the urge to slam the proposed "opposition".  But I digress.

None of it does any good, and none of the argument lends itself to the point I am trying to make.

My points for you all are:

1)  we are all selling something, period.  Sales people need to be very aware that everyone they talk to can make or break a sale past, current, and future.  Never lose sight of your values, but ALWAYS think and act accordingly, do NOT RE-act... without thinking.  The last method will result in disaster most of the time.

2)  Responding to a problem with argument and over-deliberation about who caused it is pointless.  Looking backwards teaches us, but ONLY looking forwards will give us growth.  While the politicians argue and the followers do the same I urge you all to see the trees.  The constant politicking is getting us nowhere at a very high expense... when you see a problem asess what YOU can do to either solve or help solve it.  Dont waste your time placing blame or misconstruing information to tilt your point.  In this context... a single person purchasing a Nalgene bottle and refilling it instead of drinking bottled water will have done more for the situation than all of these politicians... with a much lower cost, and much less frustration and sacrifice.

I hope that someone reads this, and whoever reads it finds it useful.  Being an entrepreneur I do swing to the right, dont let that jade your thoughs of my work.  Arguments are the same no matter which side your on, they waste time.  DO SOMETHING!!