Call On a Specialist

by on May 8, 2019

Call On a Specialist

It has been nearly 10 years now that I have moved from the world of Corporate America to the world of entrepreneurship. One of the items that has intrigued me is the many different ways people earn money to support themselves. Even more than that, has come the realization that even individuals that may have the same or similar titles, may actually be specialists in a particular aspect of that field. For example, I am one of many individuals that call themselves a “Career Coach.” But, when you pull back the layers further, my specialty is in helping individuals develop their job search strategy. Other career coaches may specialize in resume’ preparation or interview skills. Still others may concentrate their efforts on individuals looking for executive positions, or others working with those completely new to the job market.

I definitely meet a wider variety of individuals than I did at the time I worked my corporate role. When working in corporate, most of my daily contact was with individuals in my immediate department or job function. Sometimes we got to interact with other parts of the department or the company. However then the item we still had in common was we were focused on supporting products for a large financial services firm. As I continue to meet a more diverse set of individuals, and additionally, get to know them in more casual settings, (coffee shop encounters, eating lunch, perhaps at a seminar or professional association meeting), I both get to know them as individuals, and in particular the specializations they love to do in terms of the world of work. Additionally, I have come to enjoy connecting people who may be able to help each other. I often find myself looking for that right individual to introduce to a person who is in need of their services or may share complimentary but different interests.

In my own life recently, I have had need for people who specialize in specific items I need addressed. A broken window on a patio door in my house led me to reach out to a person who has a Handyman franchise. The need to provide additional care to an aging and somewhat incapacitated older relative, has me meeting with an insurance and disability professional I know. I have called on experts that understand computers far better than I to recommend the type of equipment I might need to support my business, an accountant prepares my taxes, a financial planner my future economic portfolio. Even these blogs and newsletters that I write regularly are posted and promoted by a specialist who supports small business professionals who may specialize in their particular discipline, but are not up to date on the latest ways to use social media to promote their business.

It is honorable that there are those who look to do things themselves. Sometimes they may actually be quite skilled at a given task. Additionally, they may do research on what they need to do to accomplish what it is they are seeking to get done. But, it is getting more and more difficult to be an expert in every area in today’s complex society. Often the item one will most hear is I don’t want to spend my money on that service, or I don’t think I can afford to do that. And, it may be true. Only you know your own financial situation and money tolerance level.

However, if you find that you are getting overwhelmed by the things that need to be completed in your life, feel uncomfortable about decisions facing you, or are finding more and more issues building up around you, ask yourself this question. Are there individuals I know that I can speak to that have more expertise in this area than I? If the answer to that question is no, determine who you do know and ask them if they are aware of any experts in your particular area of need. Certainly, you can search on your own, although I find people tend to be more comfortable when they already know the individual or they are referred from a trusted source.

And, as you may be in a need for someone who specializes in a particular field or item, sit down and think about yourself. What is it that you specialize in? What is it that you do better than most others? And, realize it may be a skill that you not only can use to solve the problems of others, but possibly even monetize into a career or activity that you enjoy.

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