I was asked a question the other day and I thought that other people may be wondering the same thing so here's the conversation....

Question
Hi Jill.  I have a ‘networking’ question. I have been sent a LinkedIn request by a lady who is doing something similar to me.  I am really not sure what the benefit is of me being ‘LinkedIn’ with what I would essentially view as a competitor and also why she would request me – we’ve never met and I tend to send requests to people I have met at functions etc. (perhaps I’m a bit ‘old school’). Her business-angle is not the same as mine which is why I say ‘essentially a competitor’. I’m not closed to the idea of connecting as it seems good to have the opportunity to communicate with ‘peers’ but just having a think and wondered if you would share your experience and thoughts on this?


My reply re networking
There are many views on this. From people who are very careful and only connect with those they have met to the opposite end; connecting with anyone. My experience for what it is worth is...

I began by connecting with anyone. I was desperate to get off the mark and I would probably do it again. Why? Because at first I had no value to anyone as a connection so people usually had a good motive.

After a few months of listening to others who were more discerning, I modified my actions and avoided anyone who lived out of my immediate sphere and just wanted my contact list. The exception was JMT colleagues as I connect wherever they are.

Competitors or collaborators....?
I believe in collaboration as the way forward in growing a business. I am in groups of coaches, speakers and trainers, all of whom could be viewed as competition. However, the best things I have achieved have been with other people. If you find someone who needs what someone else delivers, you refer them. In return- because reciprocity is what it is all about- they refer people to you.

You may want to have joint ventures. You may want to pick their brains if they are further forward in the business... a possible mentor?... you may want to just share experiences. Or maybe you have nothing to give each other and the relationship goes nowhere. 

For me, the possibilities outweigh the risks.

I hope this helps
Jill

This is the view from my new office space at home. So far, all of the effort has been worth it and everything I have looked for this week I have been able to find! A first!

Now let me say, hurriedly, that it is not a lack of education, a gap in my upbringing, that led me to be disorganised. My oft-remembered Grandma Nellie used to say ' while you've got it in your hand, put it where it goes...' and she got the saying from her mother so we are going back over 100 years. No. Nor was it an inability to realise that I was wasting a lot of time looking for things and I should be tidy.

What I realised this morning - and this will be a disappointing revelation for some, I know - is that I didn't actually know where things went. That is to say, I had not taken the time to decide the best place for everything and make sure they were put back. How could this be I hear you say? Well, we moved into this house 3 and a half years ago and I decided very quickly where to put the furniture, food and clothes. Other things that gradually developed that involved paper and filing, were left around the house or in cupboards depending on the last place I was working!

After spending at least 4 days rescuing abandoned papers from at least 5 rooms in the house,  I now have a PLACE FOR EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE.....where have I heard that before....?

So this morning, my grandma would be proud, my mother will no doubt recover from the shock one day and I hope my daughter is paying attention!

Welcome to the new look website, just in time to move into 2014. I have re-branded so the old Occitane word of dintrar is being removed and my company is now Jill Saville Associates. My professional FB page is Unlocking Posibilities - what a surprise no one has thought to own that before! 

Unfortunately, all previous Blog posts have been lost in the transfer which gives me a great opportunity to create something new.

This year I have had the privilege of working with some great people who are determined to stretch and grow - you know who you are -  and I have also had opportunities for growth myself. 

I was asked to contribute to Leadership Academies for two successful women's networks in Luxembourg and who would have thought that I would ever go to Guatemala with John Maxwell and be part of the country's first steps at transformation?! I flew there thinking that I was giving them the benefit of my experience and I flew back knowing that I had received far more than I had given!

On that trip, I learned to be flexible enough to suspend the need to know who and where I was training each day as there was some confusion over logistics... the only thing I knew was what to say when I got there     (I had been taught the day before!).   I also had the opportunity to work through some wonderful young people from the International School in Guatemala City who wanted to be involved in  the transformation of their country and acted as interpreters. They were good enough to give me feedback on just how much to say before handing over to them. Fabulous!

Technology has given me the opportunity to go, virtually, to every continent, although Skyping to India was challenging due to the connection. I hope that 2014 will enable me to physically travel more and connect with many more people on their own personal journey - and mine.

Look out for the new leadership development groups starting in February and if you have already attended one please recommend to all your friends:)
Best wishes for a bright future
Jill