We have probably all heard the phrase "It's not what you know, it's who you know". It's common enough and it has often been true.
There have been times when advantage has been gained due to social status and sometimes wealth, occasionally these two are connected. But gaining an advantage this way is on the decline, fast. What is required now are relationships and networks of mutual trust and respect.
Simply being intelligent will not get you far either. Consider someone who is highly intelligent and learns every French word there is. Unless they want to be a walking dictionary, their knowledge is next to worthless. It is clear here that to convert this knowledge to something of value, that can be offered, it is necessary to be able to apply it. The words that have been learned need to form sentences.
I saw this a lot at University studying Electronic Engineering. Those who often scored 90%+ in weekly tests, scored poorly in exams. Why? Because exams presented "real world" problems. It wasn't what's 2+2, more how much are two oranges that cost two pence each (ok, not a good example for the electrical engineers out there!).
It's become clearer and clearer to me that there is a fine balance between being intelligent and being smart. A misbalance in either direction degrades value.
Applying knowledge is the foundation to being smart. This, in turn, means that your knowledge of a specific area can be easily transferred. Take someone with a knowledge of electronics who wants to buy a device to record telehpone conversations. They research the market and see that devices, typically, are a few hundred dollars. Well, as someone who can apply their knowledge, they'll know that this is ridiculous. The cost of making this is a fraction of it's resale and has complexity easily overcome buy a ten year old. This is application of and transfer of knowledge in "the real world".

We are in a world that is becoming more and more glocalised, there are few borders to personal connectivity. Take a look at LinkedIn with over five million members or OpenBC with over one million. Now consider how many people those people know. So, how hard is it to find someone, anywhere.

So what's next? You need to make sure that at many people as possible either know what value you can contribute or know how to find out. The former is achieved by having an online profile. The latter is achieved through an "eBay for people" where you have a listing that can be searched. This has been done already, more another time.

Stuart Oliver

Who am I? Why choose to work with me?

My background and experience is mainly project management within diverse environments such as large corporate financial institutions, medium-sized technology consultancies and smaller start-ups. Having held positions including Operations Director (COO) and Head of Process Management, I recently decided that the time is right to take a calculated risk and leave corporate life for good?the entrepreneurial side of my character is prevailing.

My focus is on becoming an ?Un-natural Entrepreneur?. I want to work with people and companies that have vision. I can offer key values and skills to help bring your ideas to fruition. If you are a ?starter?, then I am your ?finisher?. My approach to a challenge is to clarify, understand, problem-solve, develop and deliver.

To take an idea or concept through from its inception to its execution requires a consultative approach - a partnership. I am a rational and pragmatic thinker and can work within an existing management structure, or create a new management team through my access to a extensive business network. I can build and manage virtual teams of associates to meet the requirements of a project.

On occasion, I still revisit corporate life in an interim management role within the financial services sector. Working within structures, hierarchies and processes is always a challenge and one that I enjoy.