Learning from the Best by Shaa Wasmund

Entrepreneurs have a natural hunger for learning – or at least they should. I’ve worked with some of the biggest names in business, yet I think I learn something new every week, if not every day.

Almost always it’s from the people I meet and mix with. It’s often said running your own business can be lonely and, at times, quite frightening. I’m not disputing that, but it’s within your power to ensure it’s not.

I can’t stress enough the importance of learning by surrounding yourself with smart people. I’ve got an amazing circle of friends – and that’s what they are, friends, not contacts – who I can turn to for advice or to bounce ideas off and who can turn to me for the same.

I don’t stop adding to it, either. It’s one of the reasons I accept so many invitations and wherever possible have meetings with people who want to meet me. People are the most powerful thing likely to affect the success of your business. From the people you employee to the people you supply to the people you do business with. Remember, people buy people first. If you don’t like someone, no matter how much commercial sense a deal makes, you’ll never realise the full potential of the partnership.

My hunger for learning isn’t reserved to meeting people, though. I’d like to read more but struggle for the time so I’m a big fan of audiobooks and am constantly absorbing while I’m on the move. Try it.

That said, there really is nothing better than getting advice from the horse’s mouth. That’s why I’m so excited about Smarta’s first event later this month: The smarta way to do business LIVE.

It’s taking place at the British Library Business & IP Centre on February 28 and we’ve got some amazing speakers lined up. In fact, I’m looking forward to watching the others as much as I am at speaking!

One of the business masterminds who have kindly agreed to speak is School for Startups’ very own Doug Richard. I’m lucky enough to count him among my circle of friends and Doug’s been a big friend to Smarta as well. Have you seen his video on Smarta? http://www.smarta.com/advice/general/doug-richard-school-for-startups-%28part-one%29

At the Smarta Way to Do Business LIVE, Doug will be talking about building networks too: in this case, using social media to promote a brand and create a community online. Social media is an extremely powerful tool for small businesses, allowing entrepreneurs to raise awareness and build bridges at almost no cost.

The whole day is geared towards sharing knowledge that’ll help you run a smarter business and every speaker will be imparted insider tips they’ve picked up from the practical experience of running their businesses.

Other speakers include the amazing King of Shaves founder Will King, creator of the MOBOs Kanya King, PR legend Lynne Franks, Secret Millionaire Carl Hopkins, 4Networking’s Brad Burton – another man who knows a thing or two about the value of meeting smart people – and ingenious inventor Shed Simove.

I’d love to see you there. All the info you need is here: http://smartalive.eventbrite.com/