The saying “to stick one’s oar in means to interfere or meddle in some matter that doesn’t concern you. It’s a close relative of sticking one’s nose into something.”
According to Michael Quinion of http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-sti4.htm “This expression dates back to the sixteenth century and has turned up in all sorts of different formulations down the centuries. The original was to have an oar in every man’s boat, meaning to be involved in every man’s business affairs. Variations include he’ll have an oar in everything, he will put in his oar, and don’t put your oar in.”
Having at least one oar on each side of a boat (or business) will keep it moving in the required direction. While allowances have to be made for currents and weather conditions on the water so it is in business, allowances need to be made for business trends and economic conditions.
The two oars for any business should represent:
Ownership Opportunity
Awareness Attitude
Responsibility Respect
When these attributes are incorporated in any business activity the result is one of success and going the distance.
It would appear in today’s connection age we are connected to many people and involved in their networking affairs. I assert rowing your boat (or business) takes at least two oars. The more people you have with oars the more power there is to create momentum for your boat (or business).
Ask any oarsman/oarsperson and they will tell you it is the start that takes the most effort with rowing. The more oars in the water the greater the energy generated to shift the boat (or business) forwards, or backwards.
Let social networking be where you stick your oar to go the distance in today’s business world.
Follow the “5 Tips set for your brand’s online success” by Linda Coles of Blue Banana at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUYkvb8I2b8 and you are well on the way.
Good luck sticking your oar where it is wanted with Social Networking.
Paul Meyer is a Keynote Speaker and Author who is actively involved with Social Networking for his business. He serves as an Assistant Director with his wife Rosemary for BNI New Zealand in the South/East Auckland area.
