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1404 sats \ 27 comments \ @grayruby 17 Jun meta

Sharpening the Axe

Today I learned I am a bit rusty.

It has been 2.5 years since I sold my business and I have worked the odd contract job and projects since then but I haven't had to do much selling of my own personal value proposition.

Today, I had a conference call with the owners of a local small business who are looking for someone to manage the business. Oddly enough, around a year and half ago this business was for sale and I considered purchasing it. I ended up not going through with it because a) I didn't feel I was ready to get back on the horse so to speak and b) there was one element of the business that I was concerned was relationship dependent and I would potentially be exposed to the risk of these customers leaving along with the owner (of 28 years). It seems the business is still doing well and the risk I was concerned about wasn't really an issue, but the new owners didn't anticipate the learning curve and time commitment required to maintain and further grow the business. Hence, why they are looking for someone to take the day to day reigns.

I don't want to beat myself up too much. I think I comported myself well on the call, but I was not impressed with my performance. I felt off the whole call. Slightly nervous and rushing to get my points across rather than that natural, symbiotic flow of conversation when you are on the same wavelength as someone else. I am confident my resume speaks for itself. I believe I can provide great value to this business and whether this arrangement does or does not go through likely hinges more on the nuts and bolts (scope of work, hierarchical structure, remuneration, autonomy etc) than on this call, but no one likes to feel they didn't perform their best.

My biggest takeaway is even if this arrangement doesn't come to pass I need to think about shaking off the rust and sharpening my axe for the next one or for when I do decide to start my own business again.

It's time to get back into "game shape". If stackers have any suggestions, tips or tricks for how to be ready for the arena when you have been out of the arena for awhile, please feel free to share.

Thanks for reading,

Sats for all, GR

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196 sats \ 7 replies \ @Undisciplined 17 Jun

I know that feeling pretty well. I'm not generally looking for a new position (although, readers should feel free to offer), but a job opened that seemed like a good fit at a place a good friend of mine works. It was somewhere I had previously interviewed when I was on the job market, so I thought it should go pretty smoothly.

As with your experience, it's not exactly that the interview went poorly, but it didn't go as well as most of my interviews had gone when I had to do lots of them. Oddly, my previous interview with them didn't feel great either, so maybe there's an element of it not being as good of a fit as it seemed.

A funny note about that interview is that my office ceiling light fixture chose that interview as its time to fall from the ceiling and shatter on the floor.

63 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby OP 17 Jun

Good thing it didn't fall on your head.

42 sats \ 5 replies \ @grayruby OP 18 Jun

This might be a game if the Mavs could hit a 3 or a free throw.

50 sats \ 4 replies \ @Undisciplined 18 Jun

It’s a pretty rough showing. I missed the entire 3rd, but it doesn’t seem like I missed anything.

I’ve been thinking up some fun wagers for next season, though.

42 sats \ 3 replies \ @grayruby OP 18 Jun

I don’t like the Celtics but they are a great team. Just sucks that the series was pretty poor.

1050 sats \ 2 replies \ @Undisciplined 18 Jun

I agree. I’m trying to focus on how it feels right that Horford will retire a champion and that Jrue will be a multi time champion.

21 sats \ 1 reply \ @grayruby OP 18 Jun

I believe our bet was 1k sats for front runners vs the field. Paid 1k.

20 sats \ 0 replies \ @Undisciplined 18 Jun

https://m.stacker.news/35904

163 sats \ 1 reply \ @siggy47 17 Jun

I wish I had good advice. All I can tell you is that I had a similar experience recently. A friend's kid got in a little trouble so he hired me to represent him. I only have had two or three court appearances in the past year. I feel like a fish out of water when I get there. After an hour or so listening to other lawyers I calm down. I always feel better when I come to the realization that the lawyers around me "ain't rocket scientists." They probably think the same of me.

75 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby OP 17 Jun

Yes, I think when you are experienced at something it comes back quickly but takes reps. I am just thinking about how I can simulate the game to stay sharp while I am not in it.

121 sats \ 1 reply \ @cryotosensei 17 Jun

At the end of every interview, I type the questions that took me by surprise and wished I had answered better on a document. Over the years, the questions pile up, and I get better at putting myself in the shoes of prospective interviewers and anticipating the kinds of questions they would ask.
You probably know your story inside out, but nothing like an acronym to help you bring to mind your talking points quickly. So I call myself an ACE educator, where ACE stands for adaptable, creative n enthusiastic. I can easily rattle off stories based on each of these traits. Also, having an acronym that feels authentic to me helps in advancing my narrative n solidifying my brand image
Are there initiatives that you can join in which you offer guidance to youths who are interested in venturing into your field or even just getting general career-related advice from a professional? So my country has such programs, and I find value in participating in them because I get to share my talking points in a non-threatening environment when my mentee asks me questions. I still remember a mentee being so interested in teaching that she asked me to keep a time log of my activities for a week. Meeting new people is always good - it broadens my understanding of human nature. Left to my own devices, I wouldn’t have bothered to track my usage of time.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby OP 17 Jun

Very useful tips. Thanks

71 sats \ 1 reply \ @chaoticalHeavy 18 Jun

I felt off the whole call. Slightly nervous and rushing to get my points across rather than that natural, symbiotic flow of conversation when you are on the same wavelength as someone else.

Go with your instincts / gut feeling. It's obviously not a good fit.

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby OP 18 Jun

Could be. I will meet them in person later this week if they want to move forward. I can better gauge the dynamic at that point.

71 sats \ 1 reply \ @SatsMate 18 Jun

One thing I do when I am out of the arena for a while is I will surround myself with people who are in it. For example, I will go golfing, tennis, dinner events or coffee shops with them. They will rub off on you subconsciously. These people who have their axe sharpened will be like a mentor to you. Hang out with them, and once you arrive at work you will realize its just like any job.

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby OP 18 Jun

Good strategy. Thanks for the advice.

111 sats \ 1 reply \ @Coinsreporter 18 Jun

What! I think we have to declare it now as the 'season of offers for new positions.' I had also got an offer from a school. I see everyone's sharing their experiences of rejoining after a gap.

I've completed 6 months without work now. I'm feeling much relieved. It's summer vacation time here fo kids and a time when colleges and schools hire .... I'm because I've taught in the same area for many years, everyone in my field knows me quite well. Now, they all are thinking that I can be back but I won't.

However, tbh, sometimes when my time is wasted I do think of sharpening the axe. May be in future (after 5 years), I will do the same. Actually it's better to sharpen it if you're feeling a sense of getting back. No problems in doing this. It's also local business so you won't need to go far.

As for suggestions, I can only say that 'be your natural self' but don't try to mix things up. After, you sit at home without working you get a lot of things going in your head. So, just focus one thing at a time. I'm sure you will do wonders for the business and for you as well!

Best of luck, mate!!!

11 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby OP 18 Jun

Thanks. Well said.

50 sats \ 1 reply \ @toshitoshi 18 Jun

Not sure if this is "good" advice that you might consider picking up, but you could try with:

Mock calls or professional coaching for refreshing your communication skills. Will you feel stupid the first time you do a mock call? Probably. Do they work? Definitely.
Always stay up to date with industry trends and the competitive landscape. This may sound harsh, but there's no such thing as knowing too many weak spots of people we do business with.
Network, network, and network more. That pointless conference you're been invited to and have zero drive to attend? Do that. That coffee invite scheduled right when your favorite sports team is playing. Go for it. It can be tiring sometimes, but pays off in the long run.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby OP 18 Jun

Thanks. Good advice. I was definitely thinking I should get out and network.

50 sats \ 1 reply \ @DiedOnTitan 18 Jun

Look at putting yourself out there on a fractional basis.

I have observed on LinkedIn a lot of people offer "fractional" services. And it can be virtually any type of professional service. The idea is that instead of hiring a CFO full time, a company may need a fractional CFO for part time, seasonal, or consultative service. It lowers the risk of a full time hire for the employer who may not need a full time CFO, and it keeps the fractional professional "in the game" without committing to full time work with any single employer. It will also let you see what's out there more broadly. Win win.

32 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby OP 18 Jun

Good idea. A good friend of mine does something similar to this.

50 sats \ 1 reply \ @JesseJames 18 Jun

Nice, you have a second wave coming, hopefully you will take advantage of it. Me personally, took few logs months off between the jobs (was planning to do a full year) just to calm down and really focus on myself. I would recommend that to everyone. Ask yourself, what do YOU want? Not what seems nice or almost fits your skill set, no! What DO YOU want? What kind of people you want to work with, does the product or company fits your believes (religious or philosophical or otherwise) Be honest with yourself, you know what needs to be done and you know how to do your job, you already proved that. Scout the market and the competition with no stress or time limit... Did the fundamentals of your profession change? If they did, nothing wrong wit learning new things. Life constantly changes and we need to adjust. There is a saying that the man doesn't step into the same river twice (paraphrasing here) . The river changed, new water flow, you have changed, etc. More importantly, take your time, do not rush and again be honest with yourself, do what feels right. You are the captain, do what's right by YOU.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby OP 18 Jun

Good advice. Well said.

50 sats \ 1 reply \ @gnilma 17 Jun

For a moment there, I thought you were going to talk about sharpening an axe for real. I was going to tell you that I have only sharpened an axe once, back when I was still new to sharpening and did not do a very good job. I'm also quite an accomplished and experienced knife, chisel, and hand planer blade sharpener now. In fact, I think I should revisit that axe and see if I can get it razor sharp.

I don't really know what it is exactly that you do, but for myself, my job and my passionate hobby are both hands on. In order to keep my skills sharp, to remain in game shape, I just continue doing what I do; be it carpentry or blade sharpening. Carpentry is easy, because I do it as my profession and work on it six days a week. Blade sharpening is more tricky, but I've been asking friends and family for knives to sharpen because there is only so many times a month I can sharpen my wife's knives and my own chisels.

42 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby OP 17 Jun

You are passionate about your work and it shows.

20 sats \ 0 replies \ @Satosora 17 Jun

You have to just start exercising those muscles. Get back on the horse.