Are you ignoring the gold right in front of you?

[EnviroAaron]

OK, so here's how I might think about it: Who's already paying for the expertise you have?

Maybe:

• oil & gas companies
• large agricultural entities: hog farms, poultry farms, fish farms, large farms--since they all (at the very least) care about preventing fines from polluted run-off from their land
• manufacturers & entities that have chemical waste products: paper mills, refineries, processing plants, etc.
• real estate developers

Thanks for the reply E. Much appreciated.

You're not too far from the mark:

• Resource companies (elect/coal, hydro, minerals, gas, etc) - impact assessment/monitoring, permits, approvals.
• Land developers (residential, commercial, etc) - due diligence, permits/approvals, monitoring
• Local, state national govt/councils - research, monitoring
• Water authorities and waterway managers - research, monitoring, discharge licences
• And the biggest share... other consultancies that dont have my tech services/skills in-house... for all of the above plus more end clients!

My issues is, if I stay 'close to home,' other than the slowlane value I currently offer (and am very good and successful at), I'm stumped for a 'need' to add value to to address with a fastlane product or service.

Despite all my searching on this forum and elsewhere, I've struggled to even find someone similar to even model off / aspire to.

Any other earth sci, biol or eco people on here by chance?

Time I get that intro post going me thinks...

 

[FriskyFleabag]

I have been an automotive technician most of my life. I recently left the military, and now work on aviation support equipment.

I've thought about opening a performance transmission shop, but there are very many where I live and most have been there 10 years or more. I have no clue where to start.

But I'll keep searching.

 

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[Tourmaline]

@FriskyFleabag Does your area need another performance transmission shop?

Is there something else that's needed regarding transmissions?

 

[FriskyFleabag]

@FriskyFleabag Does your area need another performance transmission shop?

Is there something else that's needed regarding transmissions?

I don't think my area needs anymore automotive shops. I've been brainstorming on outside the box ideas in the automotive field.

I started an automotive blog (uggaduggas.com) so I could use it as an information hub and gain popularity.
Shortly after, someone else took my idea and did it better with a professional designer (uggadugga.com).

That's all I've done lately.

 

[chimichangatime]

@chimichangatime

You're where I want to be. What about buying small companies, improving their efficiency then collecting profits/selling company with broker?

I've considered this. Don't know much about buying technology, but improving efficiency then flipping is a good idea. Not exactly CENTS, but could be profitable and I could probably get some people onboard with me to show them how this works. It's not rocket surgery... or so you'd think

 

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[chimichangatime]

Your SQL & Excel/VBA skills are my core technical skills--along with the niche- and ERP-specific knowledge & expertise.

So:

1. Think about the types of problems you solved at your old job.
2. Then, think about the types of businesses who'd likely have those same problems--probably manufacturing + supply chain.
3. Get more specific about the niche--for example, semiconductor manufacturers, since you're already familiar with their specific problems.
4. Make a list of prospects & contacts. This doesn't have to be Intel, but think of all the smaller manufacturers of chips & related electronic components--it'll likely be easier to reach decision-makers at smaller companies.
5. Create an script to send to them, not asking to sell anything, but to talk to them about one of the specific problems you're dealt with--you want to validate that it's a problem & how they're currently dealing with it. The goal at this stage is not to sell, but to have conversations, validate problems that you can provide value for, build relationships, get referrals, etc. Having conversations without the pressure of trying to sell will give you confidence & show you it's actually not too difficult--especially since you're helping people who need help.

Once you get 1 client, you can get more in the specific niche.

Thanks for the detailed reply! I am compiling a list of leads and filling out a super simple tracker in Google Sheets. I'll definitely reach out and try to make a connection. I KNOW they have the same problems. Just need to get in front of the right people.

 

[LittleWolfie]

I've considered this. Don't know much about buying technology, but improving efficiency then flipping is a good idea.

Your a business systems analyst. Anaylse the businesses process,work out the biggest time taking, repatable business process, do a UML case study or workflow diagram.

The entry barrier is really just money,I have found a lot of companies are really reluctant to buy in automation, but if it is your company go for it.

The need is for the company products,it's just a tweak to make it more competitive.

You can buy so much simple off the shelf stuff,e.g..zaiper and the like nowadays.

Edit

@chimichangatine

Here is the first part of my guide on software, you can buy for this process.

zaiper.pdf

Zaiper, basic guide Part Zero. A brief and basic guide to what on earth Zaiper software actually does. Contents Zaiper Guide Zero to Hero ...................................................................................................................... 2 What is it? ...

docdro.id

 

[James90]

I got one, I’d appreciate some insights

Aircraft Technician / Line Maintenance (we work on live passenger flights)

I work for a major Airline, based out of Honolulu, Hawaii. Every aircraft technician working in the U.S is required to have an FAA A&P license, which allows us to work on basically any aircraft (with specialized training in between by the employer)


I can’t think much of Fastlane ideas in this particular profession I’m in.

 

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[reedracer]

1st line Helpdesk here.

My company created this cool portal where you can request software, once approved by the manager it adds to your account and deploys to your machine without any human intervention. Same with new starter accounts etc, sets them up on its own.

Software is assigned to Active Directory groups -> SCCM Deploys the software, so the portal literally just adds an account to a group. Seemless. Always thought it would be a good idea to make myself, but not sure how you would go about getting clients. How do you market something like that

Hi I'm an SCCM engineer over here in the states. The companies that enable that cool portal make a mint! 1e, adaptiva, etc. Plus, there is training, certification, etc.
A broader look at an Helpdesk person is customer service. If you can handle a phone there is cold calling, warm calling, etc. Just a few ideas.

 

[James90]

A friend of a friend who used to be a firefighter & paramedic--and who's a bit older & wanted to get out of the trenches--switched jobs & now does sales for a firefighting training & training equipment company.

So, you might consider something similar: creating a company that does specialized training for aircraft technicians.

I would imagine the specialized training for aircraft technicians is ultra-high. Major airlines like to keep all training in-house for quality assurance and economics. I've only worked for major airlines, and I have not come across 3rd party trainers before. Although my company does train other employees from other airlines, it's because they are hired to work on our planes on out-stations.

Although there could be an opportunity for sales training equipment, that increases the effectiveness and cuts costs of flying technicians out to training. Perhaps Virtual Reality software.

 

[diogoatmelo]

I'm a software developer, able to develop backend and frontend. I currently work for a company that develops software to optimize transportation.

My biggest interests are football (soccer in the US) and reading.

Maybe I'm missing a way to combine software developing + football or software developing + reading/books.

 

[DONTRAY]

Supervisor at a cleaning company.
I went from cleaner>team leader>assistant supervisor>supervisor

 

[Low Chi]

@NMdad I like the "acres of diamond (Russell Conwell) approach" of your initial posting a lot!

When I read @AceVentures line "What could I use that skillset for? " I thought of another of my income streams I used:

How can your expertise be used to trade ideas for money? I've been a serial solver (single solver and contributor in solver teams) in the Open Innovation field for several years in many OI challenges.

Many people in this thread learned their skills in a specific field and some may be interested to adopt the knowledge by joining the Solver Tribe and earn money for ideas. Besides that you'll find useful "market needs" at the websites too - which could lead to own business ideas, solutions and products - even if you don't want to compete with hundreds of other solvers.

Here are 2 of the bigger players in the intermediary market of OI with direct links to their challenge subsites:

InnoCentive - Challenge Center

www.innocentive.com

Crowdsourcing Contests | HYVE Crowd

Find the most exciting ongoing crowdsourcing challenges on the HYVE Crowd and interact with our community by contributing your own innovative ideas.

www.hyvecrowd.com

Here is a list of other OI platforms:

Guide to Open Innovation Platforms – Innovator's Guide Switzerland

innovators-guide.ch

Have fun

 

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[OnTheWrox]

Business Systems Analyst in IT / supply chains.

Worked at a Fortune 100 semiconductor company and took a voluntary sep package. Went to a small company that imports millwork from China. Essentially the same job (overseas manufacturing and supply chain management).

I wear 100 hats... mostly, my job is to design software to streamline/automate processes in the supply chain. I sometimes design small-ish apps in Excel/VBA, I am very proficient at SQL, I have a background in usability/human factors design, I've worked in inside sales, factory planning, samples, rebates, fulfillment, and some logistics... basically the entire supply chain except materials/sourcing.

I KNOW I'm sitting on a gold mine with my skills and knowledge, but I'm shit at selling myself, and I'm shit at seeing the gold in front of my face.

After I left the Fortune 100 company, I tried to find clients on Upwork and Guru, and I found a couple small clients, but not enough to pay the bills, so I found my current job.


I can do that stuff in my sleep. I love helping companies like that! And I could train junior developers and/or hire it out to my standards and get it CENTS-compatible.

I just... have *no idea* how to find clients... and I have no idea what gold may be beating me over the head. Someone once told me, "Chimichangatime, for such a smart guy, you're pretty stupid."

Couldn't you break down the types of roles you're able to train and create online courses ?

You'd mind map it all out that in of itself would be super valuable and then create the online course in whichever format is applicable to the content. There are so many people out in the world that want to do what you've mastered such as the hats you listed up above. Creating one course that's the basics of one role but then going on to create a course that is of the same role except higher level for those wanting to move up in management. There's little tips and tricks which I'm sure you're aware of that you could increase the value helping people move along in their careers. Just a thought that came to mind when reading your comment.

 

[chimichangatime]

Couldn't you break down the types of roles you're able to train and create online courses ?

You'd mind map it all out that in of itself would be super valuable and then create the online course in whichever format is applicable to the content. There are so many people out in the world that want to do what you've mastered such as the hats you listed up above. Creating one course that's the basics of one role but then going on to create a course that is of the same role except higher level for those wanting to move up in management. There's little tips and tricks which I'm sure you're aware of that you could increase the value helping people move along in their careers. Just a thought that came to mind when reading your comment.

Yup! After much brainstorming with a friend who's killing it in his sales job by focusing on the basics (adding value, seeking to help first, all the MFL stuff but he's never read the book, he just lives it), I decided that several courses in "How to X, Step by Step" would be super valuable.

I've been researching various platforms (I know, I should make my own, but e-learning isn't my core strength... and I also know that I should host myself, but STARTING is better than excuses, no?) and there simply isn't something out there that rolls stuff up in a real-world way.

I think the closest is "Automate the Boring Stuff with Python," that's sort of a conceptual template I could creatively steal.

Combine this with a YouTube series where I give a high-level overview that a professional developer/BA could use, but you've got to pay for the course to get the details that I've figured out if you're not at that level. A freebie to show competence, then the course for the details.

For example, it's trivial to make the contents of one drop-down change based on another drop-down, but not in Excel when the data is from your SQL database. I spent HOURS fiddling with the code to get this to work. The examples online didn't work or were too old to work with Office 365.

Another example is providing the user with their own levers to control forecasting model output, and making the UI/back-end independent enough to have it in Excel and on the web. Hint: there's not really a middle layer in Excel for an MVC-type dev model.

And who hasn't needed a strategy to deal with legacy code and bad database design while you develop your web application in parallel to your legacy desktop application? "It has to work in both tools." And the subsequent switching off of the legacy app, and hopefully minimizing refactoring in the new tool?

AKA "changing the tires on the bus as it drives 55mph down the highway."

"Excel is the second best tool for everything." I don't know who said that, but TONS of businesses run on Excel, and you can pry Excel out of their cold, dead hands! I don't want to go around fixing those businesses, I'd rather show intrepid folks like myself how to do it. And charge handsomely for it.

 

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[iced_steez]

I made that same mistake when i was switching from business to business but not realising that i was already sitting on a gold mine. i had 2 rental properties and never thought to expand it.
I then went to start a detergent business and then a website which both failed.

my turn around was when i posted my thoughts on starting a website, A guy from this forum suggested that i focused on what ever that was aready bringing me income and guess what... it was the bestadvice anyone could have given and now im back on track, making progress on my rental real estate faster than ever. thanks to the forum!!!

This makes absolute sense. I have one property and am about to acquire another one, with plans to continue to grow my Real Estate portfolio. I enjoy rental real estate as I feel and try to provide as much value as possible to tenants by paying attention to small details within the properties and making improvements where necessary/desired. I disapprove of 'slum-lords' as it is quite disgraceful to the people occupying the property. Take some pride in what you own and are letting other people use to start off.

Where I struggle is the attachment to the current job because I need to finance the properties and need the income for down-payments, ongoing maintenance, etc.

How have you/others approached this issue on being tied to a job while acquiring properties?

 

[Deleted74396]

I've only ever managed my own Facebook pages/groups and marketed my own businesses utilising my social media skills, and despite having success, I can't find where I'd fit in providing a service for clients. My main method is organic and I'm not great at paid ads which seems to be what 99% (well everyone I talk to, I say 99 as I'm sure it's not 100%!) of people are after. I'm not sure what type of clients to go after, what services to offer, etc.

 

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[pumpking]

Any thoughts on the topic of non-compete agreements with your current employer? I signed one without thinking much about it when I started with my current slow lane position. It contains some legalese that might prevent me from becoming a consultant in my career profession (sitting on ~15 experience), in that my clients would very likely be my current company’s competitors.

Potentially I would need to wait one year before doing that, I.e. quitting and then doing something else for a year.

Anyone in a similar situation?

 

[iced_steez]

I would recommend sticking to your job until your properties make enough money to cover you personal expenses and you are able to have extra cash to reinvest in your properties. Financing your next project is a great idea but its even better when you can put down a chunk of your own money to minimize the loan repayments.

What I do is not buy any property that i cannot modify or that does not have enough yard to expand. Adding a few units to an existing property is the cheapest way to getting a bigger income compared to buying a new property. Dividing a house into smaller units is a lot profitable than renting a full home to a single person and it minimizes the risk of unpaid rent.

The above strategy has helped me make unbelievable profits in single properties and that's why my portfolio is growing rapidly without needing any finance.

Be flexible. Property doesn't have to only be rented out as residential. adding other businesses to it is also highly profitable. a property may have 8 units rentals and you can add a shop or a salon up front. these can be rented out or you can operate them on your own and make lots of daily profits.

A few of my properties close by have either a local tuck shop or food take away which can be managed by one or two people. I collect the income twice a week while i supply them driving around with my mini truck. I know its a bit of work but an upfront shop makes enough money to double the properties profits. When I reach my property targets then I will also rent out the shops to some other people and retire!

Hope this makes sense also...

This does make sense! You're expanding/improving on what you already own vs. leveraging further to achieve the same objective.

Some follow-up questions:

1. If you purchased a 4 bdrm/2bth, you would 'cut' it into a duplex, which makes sense. How do you work with local jurisdiction in order to achieve this? I've never worked with municipalities, so I am unsure how willing they are to allow this to happen.
2. If you have an open lot on an existing property, would you construct on the land to put up what you wanted?
3. What type of properties do you look for when renting out to businesses vs. residential? I've seen some on the market that, for example, are one apartment on the top with a storefront on the bottom. Commercial rentals is an objective of mine.

Thank you; I really appreciate your insight/advice.