I was IMing with Wayne, Stu & Gavin just now...

After a great weekend with Wayne & Stu, Gavin was IMing with us about his exciting moves to put on an admin person and a tech over the next few weeks. Naturally he's feeling a little nervous, but was man enough to ask for advice.

Now Wayne, Stu & I certainly aren't business gurus, but we've been running businesses for a combined 25 or so years and so have learned a lot and recognise the value in providing assistance to others - and receiving it.

We met Gavin at SMB Nation and got along like flies on a dingo. One of the great things about the SBS community (in particular) is the way we work together for the “greater good”. OK, that sounds a bit cheesy, but you can't deny the results.

Gavin had questions about staff induction, monitoring performance and how to handle the changes that are sure to hit his life. We were able to provide some pointers and he was very appreciative (Gav - I'll send you my bank account details later!!)

This is exciting - businesses on opposite sides of the world working together. Not for money, not for glory, not for rewards apart from the knowledge that the growing pains we've gone through mean we can spare someone else just a little bit, and hopefully make a positive impact on their life - not to mention their family, staff and clients.

This process also helps to reinforce things that you already know, or makes you realise those things you'd forgotten you know. It's then a quick scramble for OneNote to jot them down. It's also a fresh pair of eyes on what you've been doing for so long - and just maybe a better way to achieve positive results. The idea that “we've always done it that way“ does nothing but kill innovation.

You might run a multi-million dollar company, and have a mate who runs a lawn mowing business, or a petrol station, or a pharmacy. Despite your business differences get together and share some war stories - you might just find you learn something new.

Drop your thoughts here - we're all friends :)