Weathering the Storm with the WP#45

Last week I had thoughts about the possibilities and the what if is always in play, but it is not always about the possibilities, but about having connections. Maybe they are the same, but, if not, they are connected for sure, since having connections in whatever you wish to accomplish, will have a great impact on the possibilities be it a personal situation or a business situation.
It used to be that it was what you knew, gave you the advantage, but in this time of google and social media, everyone has access to everything for the most part and therefore, “knowing” more is not really relevant, and more so, it could be end up backfiring since much of the information on the internet is not factual, but opinion, and while there is nothing wrong with one’s opinion, as long as this is understood, it is just that, an opinion, not fact and certainly open to discussion or interpretation. This is the case with the likes of Trip Advisor and other like it. These are opinions, not facts, although within those statements about a particular place and experience, there may be some information like the elevators are tiny or the bathroom does not have a hair dryer, which may be a very important point for those traveling and I do not discount the opinions of others, especially if they fit the profile of my clients who may be similar. Of course, any commentary in these forums is useful, but I always take them with a grain of salt.

Having connections however, and yes, opinions apply here as well, is very important to me personally and professionally. I have a good knowledge base and when I do not know something, yes, like everyone else, I can google the information, but having people on the ground in different areas of the world, where I can get firsthand knowledge of a destination or a situation puts me in a better situation as I have not, nor can I ever, be everywhere. It is a wonderful thing to have these trusted connections, as many of my colleagues have, to benefit their business, but more importantly to benefit our clients, where my colleagues bring their own passion to the table about their homes and their experiences. Much of the travel I have done over the years has been to many conventions and seminars, so I could create these connections and establish these very important connections and business partnerships.
And in some cases, there have even been friendships established, beyond the normal business relationships and in one special case, more. Yes, she is my secret weapon in Rome. It is nice to have these connections, as the locals with whom I have made the connections are as passionate about their homes as I am, to bring the real and authentic experience to my clients and while I would certainly be able to bring these experiences to life in many different ways, when my clients meet my local contacts, their experiences are enhanced as they see the passion for the places my colleagues bring to the table. In the end, these connections open more possibilities both for me personally and professionally.
As always, I am interested in your thoughts, comments, questions and adding to the discourse is always appreciated be in on the site itself or on Facebook, Twitter or wherever you read this. Thank you for your support of this small business and it is truly appreciated!!!