The Self-Employed Life

638: David Baker - The Business of Expertise

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Description

Many professionals will tell you things they think you want to hear, but the people you trust are the ones who tell you what you need to hear. This is important to apply in your business because you are the expert and just because your client has a vision, they are hiring you for your expertise. When you are confident in your ability and present your client with the best result based on your expertise, they will come to trust you and your business will grow exponentially.
 
Most people believe their business can only exist in one capacity but there are multiple way to position yourself across a broader spectrum; by narrowing your focus either vertically or horizontally. Vertical positioning being an expert in a specific industry but across multiple functions, and horizontally being a specific function but across multiple industries.
 
To help better understand the business of expertise - I've brought on author, speaker, and advisor David Baker.
 
David has authored four books including his newest, The Business of Expertise, as well as serving as an advisor to entrepreneurial experts. His educational background is in ancient languages and theology, and he's taught at both the undergraduate and graduate level. He has been a featured speaker at nearly every marketing industry conference, including multiple Tedx Events. David's work has been discussed in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Fast Company. Inc. Magazine, Forbes, MarketingProfs, and BusinessWeek, and he has been referred to in the New York Times as "the expert's expert".
 
Learn how to make better business decisions - by downloading this episode now.
 
"You're not always going to be told things that you want to hear, you're told things that you need to hear, and that's what expertise is about." -David Baker
 
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Highlights –
  • Examine what's important to you and what you believe; maintain those values while being flexible in your approach to life and business.
  • Trust that enough people see value in what you do and want to work with you, be comfortable and confident in that.
  • Don't become so much of an expert that you become selfish more than selfless.
  • Be confident that you are giving your client what they need, even if it's not what they think they want.
  • Pattern matching is the essence of everything we do; when you see the patterns, you can solve problems more efficiently.
  • You can't connect the dots moving forward, only when you're looking back.
  • See how your unique ability aligns with what you love to do through stepping outside yourself.
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Host Jeffrey Shaw is a Small Business Consultant, Brand Management Consultant, Business Coach for Entrepreneurs, Keynote Speaker, TEDx Speaker and author of LINGO and The Self Employed Life (May 2021). Supporting self-employed business owners with business and personal development strategies they need to create sustainable success.