Lunch & Learn

It’s amazing how much you can learn from those in your network.
Your network is listed as one of the key assets that you already own and most people keep under-utilised. As with any asset it does require some form of an investment to gain the most out of it. However the gains are monumental if you manage it effectively.
I recently wanted to start my investment portfolio and I was unsure how best to begin. The tools to use, what shares to look at and what I should even invest financially. Even after going through all the materials out there that are supposed to teach you, I found I still needed advice and being guidance in the right direction.
It is important to ensure you know what your friends are doing and where they are currently in their professional/life journey.
So I turned to my network, to see who on there would be best set to provide me with valuable insight that I was lacking. It is important to ensure you know what your friends are doing and where they are currently in their professional/life journey.
I noticed that a good friend of mine had begun posting a great deal about investments and wealth management. So as a first point of call I reached out to him with an offer to buy him lunch for just some of his time and some information. Gladly he accepted and was more than happy to do so.
When we met, the time together was greater than I had expected. He spoke to me about his journey as an investor, his mindset, strategies, approaches, lessons learnt, failures, and achievements. In 2 hours I discovered more than I had from several days pouring through information online. Even what I thought was most important I came to realise was less so as the focus was about strategy and planning more than resource and tools to use.
There is a wealth of knowledge available to us within the people around us
What I learnt from this exercise is that there is a wealth of knowledge available to us within the people around us. That they are more than willing to help, even if they do not expect something in return you have to be willing to provide them with something (add value to generate value). Many businesses and consultancy firms usually charge a hefty fee to speak to specialists, while most times a small cost for you and time spent with a friend can unlock a treasure trove of information that is valuable to you.
I now intend on following up this first lunch and learn session with other key people in my network. You should look to do the same, even if you are not looking to get a specific bit of information out, the time spent just meeting with friends can do well to build up your relationships. You never know they too may need to also tap your brain for some answers in a field that you specialise in.
Stay Blessed!
