If each of us hires people who are smaller than we are, we shall become a company of dwarfs. But if each of us hires people who are bigger than we are, we shall become a company of giants.
David M Ogilvy
It’s no secret that I’ve been a HUGE fan of Cath Lawson for quite some time now. While I don’t remember exactly which blog post it was that I first read, but I still remember the feeling that washed over me when I discovered her blog. Was it recognition? Was it relief?
It was probably a little of both. After all, I’ve publicly declared that there are times when I feel like I’m the only ” honest politician in Washington” because sometimes, I sometimes get EXHAUSTED by the “self proclaimed gurus and experts” who talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk! I was half way through reading my first Cath Lawson blog post when I recognized that I had found another “honest politician”, even though she lives “across the pond” from me.
See, Virtual Impax is NOT my first rodeo. I’ve jumped in and out of self employment ever since the birth of my oldest child and I worked extensively with entrepreneurs and business owners during my time as an AE with an advertising agency.
So it’s only natural I guess that when I had trouble finding a reliable cleaning lady, I decided to start my own cleaning business on the side. I don’t know WHY I thought that was a good idea at the time. Looking back, that one was PURE FOLLY! “Let’s see, I can’t find ONE person who will clean my house properly – I think I’ll start a business where I have to plant my foot in the buttocks of a CREW of people who don’t know how to clean a house properly OR show up for work!”
In the end, I learned A LOT about myself. I discovered that I SUCKED as a boss. I ran my business like it was some kind of charity organization. I hired women who needed flexible hours and extra money instead of hiring people for their work ethic. I hired dwarves instead of giants! I hired people who wanted easy money, not people who took pride in their work!
Of course, my employees used and abused me. (As Liz Struass would say, “They were people being people.”) I closed shop when I had a dream that I was working in food prep at McDonald’s. In the dream, I was stinking of grease and exhausted, but I declared within that dream that it was better than cleaning houses.
So that’s probably why, when Cathleen would write about the trials and tribulations of running her plumbing company, I could relate. I recognized the voice of another battle scarred business veteran.
With that said, I don’t know why I was so FLOORED by reading Cath’s offer to run an ad for free on her blog. I just sat back in shock and awe.
DAMN – SHE’S GOOD!
As a matter of fact, I’d say she’s a MARKETING GENIUS! No wonder I’m such a fan! Not only is she a giant, but her readers are as well. As her readers have been finding this blog, I’m feeling quite privledged to be in the company of so MANY giants at one time.
By the way, I can DEFINITELY tell a difference between Cath’s readers and mine. Cath’s readers leave comments. Mine email me or use the contact form. Either way is good for me!
