Since we all have to eat, why not take that time at the table to learn, grow, share and be challenged?
Once a month I have an ongoing lunch with a person who I admire. Every month, he and I meet for lunch with the goal to help one another, along with brainstorming and sharing ideas that will also help one another. The week before our lunch, we e-mail each other with some questions and/or challenges we would like to discuss during our lunch. Sending the e-mail in advance allows each of us to think about the agenda ahead of time. We make our monthly lunches a priority and we both have seen the tremendous benefits from this.
The dinner table development doesn’t stop there. Each month, I host a dinner at my home for five business owners. The five business owners are different every month. Each of my guests is responsible for e-mailing me a question they would liked asked at the dinner. I facilitate asking the questions each business owner submitted. This keeps the person that sent me the question anonymous. I also ask my guests to come to the dinner with something to share that has made a positive impact on their business. It is my goal that every person at the dinner leaves having learned something they can apply to their businesses, along with contributing information that can help other business owners. These dinners have been the starting point for establishing partnerships and relationships between businesses in attendance.
Alternative Strategies also hosts a few client appreciation events around food each year. We take pride in bringing our clients and vendors together. At these events, clients, vendors and our staff are able to network and build relationships in a fun and relaxed setting.
I challenge everyone reading this article to find someone to have lunch with once a month, who can help them develop professionally. Be sure that you are willing and able to also help that person. Relationships go both directions. Don’t let anything get in the way of attending this monthly lunch.
I also challenge you to share information that you have with others. There is no value in keeping the information and knowledge that you have to yourself. If we don’t share our knowledge and insight, how do you plan on growing and learning?
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