Startups should take advantage of opportunities to stretch their dollars by using companies like Swap for Skills and other bartering opportunities, but like alcohol it's important to barter responsibly.
Swap for Skills and your network of friends are a stepping stone. Take advantage of these when you are short on capital and need something done that you don't have the expertise for.
Let’s say you got your work done and it was sufficient for the position your startup was in at the time when you made your last Swap, buddy barter or what have you. However, now you have capital.
That last Swap or barter helped you land a whale of a client, and that whale brought a few friends. Congrats by the way. Now you have money in the bank, your business is in the black, and you're looking to update the work that originally got you the business that made you a success.
Now that you have the money, here are a few reasons why you should consider paying it forward to the startup ecosystem.
1. Your company needs new customers and to keep expanding your existing business network. What better way to do that than to hand someone some money for doing great work?
2. This may sound a bit “New Agey” but there is such a thing as business karma. When you pay money to a business that has clients, that same business has the opportunity to reciprocate with a referral.
3. Let’s not forget the ego stroke… So you go with a small company and they totally rock. You subsequently introduce them to the whales and now they are industry leaders. Now you can say “I am responsible for discovering ‘Such and Such, Inc.’!”
Far be it from me to say throw your money around like a rookie ball player who is best friends with a rapper celebrating their birthdays on New Year’s Eve. That would be foolish, fun, but foolish. However, it doesn't hurt to pay it forward to the small business and startup ecosystem.
Follow at: @swapforskills and @deirdreamola
Inspired by @Mfranciscreates
