I am currently on the brink of a frightening and exciting step (*). For years I have been talking about an end-game of a portfolio career; I now have the opportunity to make that first step off the brink.

I do not really feel my current employers are yet entirely at the stage to do some of the things that would make them the digital industry leader due to other considerations internally. I have agreed to stay on with a two day a month associate contract to see that they move in the right direction and understand the digital issues facing their customers. As such I now have a considerable amount of extra time to pursue other opportunities so I thought I would get in touch with my network and see what you were all aware of in the wider world that might be interesting?

My history in a variety of start-ups makes me prime, in terms of experience, for a non-exec role of some sort. In that sort of role I feel I have a few advantages. First and foremost I bring integrity. As an outside observer I can point out the emperor’s lack of clothes and being me I will do it. Second through around 20 start-ups I have learned to spot pitfalls before companies walk into them. This means I have a good sense for the proper strategic direction.

I also have a good network of useful contacts and a wealth of experience in retail and analytics as well as a deep technical understanding of all things web related. This shows itself as an ability to take tough or impossible problems and reframe them so as to make them simple, straightforward and implementable.

Are you aware of any opportunities that might benefit from my time? If so please let me know as I am on the lookout right now; it seems the right time. I am particularly looking for roles in companies where I can add some real value. Long term I would like to be on a 70% cash and 30% equity basis though I will be biased by cash initially I expect.

My CV is at “http://rufus.evison.com”. If it seems useful or you come across anyone who might be interested feel free to use it or pass it on. Naturally I can supply a Word Version if it becomes appropriate.

Regardless of whether you have a role that would work for me it would be good to meet up. Networking only works if you do it and I will now have time to see people again so I should take advantage. Get in touch and we will have a chat over coffee or beer…

Rufus

PS I am sort of interested in the idea of doing due dilligence work for VCs and similar companies if anyone is aware of a role? I have done it before occassionally and it seems a fun and interesting avenue.

(*) okay maybe just exciting then, but frightening sounds good…

I had an appointment this morning that was cancelled/rescheduled. I was meeting someone I knew at school who now works at Kitcatt Nohr.

The cancellation was for good reason but the meeting is more speculative. It set me to thinking, why am I going to see Marc? Really I have no particular reason at all, but the principles of networking suggest it is a good idea.

He is someone I respect and he seems to have done reasonably well in a related area to me. Equally I am someone I respect and have done well in a related area to him. It seems reasonable that we should meet.

Once we meet I will see what I can do to make his life better, his business more successful or just to help in general.

The idea is that I will show him I am someone that is useful and that I make any interaction worth while. I will let him know the types of things I do and so forth. At the same time I will satisfy myself that he is a competent person, understand the types of things he does and make sure he is the type of person I would like to work with.

Then if either of us see a fit it will probably happen. He will know I am a safe pair of hands and i will know anything he offers is worth doing. The converse is tryue. If I see something for him he will know my judgement is worth following and take it seriously.

So while it is easy to say “what goes around comes around” and other meaningful platitudes networking by trying to be useful genuinely sets the groundwork for a real business relationship.

Rufus Evison