I think learning to share is an integral building block that we learn as kids. As we transition to adults, more often than not, that building block is left behind in favor of the more popular “what’s in it for me” mentality.
Wikipedia defines sharing
“as the joint use of a resource or space. In its narrow sense, it refers to joint or alternating use of an inherently finite good, such as a common pasture or a shared residence. In a broader sense, it can also include the free granting of use rights to a good that is capable of being treated as a nonrival good, such as information. Still more loosely, “sharing” can actually mean giving something as an outright gift: for example, to “share” one’s food really means to give some of it as a gift.”
After we leave Kindergarten, we enter a world that is driven by rewards for accomplishments (think grades). Now, I can go on and on about how grades can fuel an unsustainable drive for constant affirmation, but that’s not what this post is about.
I want to focus on what we learned in Kindergarten and why it’s important to the adult business world. As I read Wikipedia’s definition, I kept coming back to this phrase: sharing is… the free granting of use rights…
How do can you share in the business world?
The idea of sharing in the business world is foreign, but it’s beginning to catch on. For example, the word freemium has been added to Wikipedia. There is a freemium blog that shares content, case studies, and more. The folks at Altimeter Group get this. In fact, they firmly believe in open research. (Of course if you abide by their Creative Commons licensing of attribution and non-commercial usage.)
It’s because I firmly believe in the idea of sharing that I got involved with Social Media Club. In fact, their motto is: If you get it, share it! To SMC that motto is more than just a glib catch phrase, it is a way of living and gaining trust within your communities. Which is why I partnered with Nick Gundry to launch the Fresno chapter of SMC.
I’m a people person. I like talking with folks, sharing ideas and passions with people. This being said, I really believe in the power of social media. I think that good social media marketing begins with relationships. Good relationships are based on trust and within trust is the intrinsic nature of sharing. You want to share good stuff with the people you know and trust, right? Well, I do.
So, with that thought in mind, I’ll continue to assist in sharing information. And I look forward to reading what my community has to share as well.
I think it’s time for recess…
