Leveraging a Micro Network

There is much spoken of "leverage" and how we must leverage our business if we are to prosper.

Invariably discussion of leverage revolves around having tangible products in one form or another --- "you must have a means of earning income while you sleep" is the mantra of the leverage disciple.

Now there's no denying that most businesses would do well to foster a strategy of leverage within their model, but it's not helpful to agonise over the topic ... at least not alone.

Start by embracing a strategy of leveraging your mind.

To do this, we need to open our ears and eyes to all that is going on around us and this involves understanding the workings of all those who operate within our market space.

The most effective way of achieving this is to reach out to others and create a kind of market space network.

But who do we choose and how do we do it?

Let's take the example of a graphic designer who produces brochures and Web sites for SMBs.

While design is the common thread, the media (paper and online) is quite different.

For this designer to effectively keep abreast of developments in the market space and for leverage opportunities to present themselves, it's necessary to commune with the likes of developers, hosts, illustrators, photographers, and so on.

An essential ingredient in any business plan should be the provision of a market space network --- a group of individuals who operate in the same arena, willing to meet and exchange ideas.

So who should be in your group?