Is business expansion all that it's cracked up to be?
Phew! Exhausted. Seriously. Whoever said that expansion was a walk in the park needs their head read.
While the first week was the most exciting time of the year to date, the second week was riddled with sleep deprevation, home-sickness and a case of missing the basic home comforts that I have come to enjoy.
On top of that, I realized that although getting new clients was relatively easy (for today) it is twice as hard to get everything else organized around that from an administrative point of view when you don't have your entire administration team at your disposal.
And... the time difference means that instead of 12 hours a day at work it was now 16 hours a day with little time to spare and if I was really lucky, I would get Sunday off, but probably not, because there is so much to do.
While the first week was the most exciting time of the year to date, the second week was riddled with sleep deprevation, home-sickness and a case of missing the basic home comforts that I have come to enjoy.
On top of that, I realized that although getting new clients was relatively easy (for today) it is twice as hard to get everything else organized around that from an administrative point of view when you don't have your entire administration team at your disposal.
And... the time difference means that instead of 12 hours a day at work it was now 16 hours a day with little time to spare and if I was really lucky, I would get Sunday off, but probably not, because there is so much to do.
As a buddying technology developer alongside a roving entrepreneur with an ambition to be something that is possibly attainable I realized that it is not without a shitload of sacrifices. Sorry about the language but let's be frank here... I am entitled to lose my cool every now and again on only a few hours sleep a night.
What no-one told me was that instead of setting up a business and hitting the road running - that as a marketer, sales may come slightly more easily than envisaged but setting up a business and understanding the law of the land is twice as hard. I have to learn everything I have learnt over the past 20 years from an administrative and legal perspective all over again. Additionally, the laws of the land on a State by State basis are different and if I don't get it right the first time, I possibly cannot change it without being seen as some type of corporate mishap who may be trying in vein to do something that is possibly illegal or not exactly what is the done thing in the area.
Given that I am so square, any illegal activity is out of the question, but gosh, there are mistakes to be made and I am trying my heart out to minimize those - all at the expense of my back pocket and the amount of hours I can spend snuggling up to my hotel pillow that I am slowly becoming very fond of.
It is also interesting to know that culturally, there is a big difference between Australia and America.
I mean a BIG difference.
I adore my American friends and just quietly, they don't mind me either or at least they don't mind my Aussie accent that stands out like "dog's balls". Ok... Australian humor falls on deaf ears more than I care to admit.
Cleverly, I have sucked up much of my uncertainty on what to do, when to do it and how to do it but it appears that I am now almost 7 weeks into the expansion plans and I am failing - at least in the emotional stakes. If you haven't realized it yet, I am a woman and I am in desperate need for someone to hold my hand. Stuff this "feminist" bullshit. I happily would like to be the woman who has someone alongside that shows me the way. I hate the fact that I have to navigate unfamiliar waters without a paddle boat to keep me afloat.
A man would be brilliant right now not only to open doors but to protect me from all of these scary things that keep coming my way and ensuring that I am constantly second guessing my decisions that are creating havoc with my mindset.
Now, this doesn't necessarily need to be a man, but what a man represents in the traditional sense: the protector, the person you trust and who watches your back when you can't see what is behind you.
So, yes - expansion isn't what it's cracked up to be, but for me, I will walk forward and continue to strive to be my best and to deliver on the business goals but occasionally I think I am going to need that shoulder to cry on.
If this experience appeals to you, there are more where this come from so follow us on twitter or for that matter, follow one of our favourite clients.
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comments ( 3 )
Will Bowman
12 Mar 2013I recently spent over 9 months in the USA and completely understand what you mean by a gulf in cultural differences. The subtle differences in what we think, how we talk and the way we dress were nuances that I had to manage in every interaction that I had. However, I found the overriding feature of most Americans was their sincerity and intrigue in what I was there to do and achieve, something that sounds familiar in your post!
ReplyThe USA is a massive marketplace with many opportunities for the right person, the right business. As a foreigner, the difficulties in grabbing these opportunities are made even harder by the aforementioned cultural gulf. However, with hard work and a consistent approach the USA is a market made for expansion and I bet Marketing Eye is the right business to achieve this!!
Good Luck!
Melanie Gray
27 Feb 2013Sounds tough, but I'm sure it will all be worth it in the end!
ReplyEug
27 Feb 2013Inspiring stuff Mellissah! Love how you keep it real - power + success to you in the US of A.
Reply