Recently I was speaking to my students about the trend in this current society revolving sharing and networking as part of the way we do business.
At one time, the trend was dramatically more towards secretive practices and sources and an “every man for himself” attitude. A hording of the powers and a focus on monopolizing an area rather than sharing was prevalent.
This, I feel, has shifted somewhat in certain business arenas, especially in sales and services. Social media and the rise of the world wide web information overload has affected this trend dramatically. I personally have notices a greater amount of sharing of idea and opinions as well as a deep pool of free information and advice one can dip their bucket into. Seems a “feed the masses” idealism is catching on. Everyone succeeds and everyone benefits is the mantra that is catching on.
In my humble opinion, this is a very positive trend. I agree that there is such a thing as having just enough information to do great harm but I also agree that an educated competitor is better than having someone hang their shingle next to yours and not have any information.
I guess what I am saying is that I enjoy the more “village” feel to how we do business now then the cold greedy way that is receding ever so slowly in the background. Ways to share your concepts and help propel them to success abound in the web but it is more than just that. Peers helping peers at all levels through constructive criticism and behind the scenes sharing of how some great work is done open the potential for more great work to happen.
This is especially true in the creative circles of which I am proud to say I am a member of. I enjoy the fact that people are willing to share in order to benefit the whole creative industry. More awareness, more educated choices, more revenue for great resources and more interesting ideas have come from sharing and open minded thinking than from a monopoly point of view.
So go out and share people. Share your passion and share your thoughts. The speaking and self help industry pays pretty well while making the world a better place on many levels.