Self Learning

It's amazing how fast technology is changing. I am in the process of re-building the RentQuick.com website from scratch. It seems that everything I used to be good at is now obsolete. Therefore, I must learn a whole new bunch of stuff.

Specifically, I am referring to cascading style sheets. If you haven't done anything with them, then you are going to be amazed at what you can do. Not only can you layer the images on the page and control the overall look and feel of the site with one little file, you can also put things exactly where you want them without those pesky tables.

So I have spent the last few weeks learning and implementing all kinds of new stuff for the website. I am still testing it, but thought it would make for an interesting discussion: self learning.

Over the years since finishing my MBA, I have found that I spend a great deal of time learning things to perform a specific task. Whether it is the ins and outs of stormwater detention facilites or it is the latest design tools, I have been forced to learn without the aid of a classroom or an instructor.

In fact, most of what I consider to be important knowledge has come from learning on the job. This has been such an important tool for me, that I assumed everyone did the same. However, in my interviews with others I found the opposite to be true.

Obviously, people learn differently. Some excel in the the classroom environment. Some do better by trial and error while others prefer to learn through books. I learn best through a mixture of trial and error and reading.

The great thing about learning is that it is limitless. The problem with being limited to learning in a classroom environment is that you are so dependant on finding a class that teaches what you need to know and taking the time to attend.

Of all the tools I have in being the do-all entreprenuer, self-learning is the most powerful.

Finding a way through the red tape

Over the past six months, I have been working on getting Adin Circle accepted by Augusta County and the Virginia Department of Transportation. Adin Circle is a residential street within Silver Ridge Subdivision. This road was constructed four years ago, but is only now being accepted into the road system.

Here are my lessons learned:

1. Get a very clear understanding of what the government wants before you start. Know who the players are and what their role is in the process.

2. Find out what all the fees are. You would be surprised how many secret fees pop up during any acceptance process.

3. Determine the payout and release of any surity bonds. With bonds, you can set them up a number of ways. For small bonds, it is often best to post a Certificate of Deposit with an escrow agent (attorney or bank). This way, you are getting the little bit of interest on the money.

4. When you get comments back from the agency, be sure the information is in writing. Never go on the verbal comments of a government employee. These people like paper and if it isn't on paper, it didn't happen.

5. If you are working with an engineer, surveyor or contractor through the acceptance process, be sure to specify that you are hiring them to get acceptance by an agency. Then get a price for them to reach that acceptance. Paying by the hour will kill your budget since you will never get it right on the first step.

6. Unlike the real world, working with government agencies is seldom negotiable. The rules are the rules. Don't look to get any breaks. Treat the entire process as professionally as possible. Remember the government employees really don't care about your timeline or budget. All they are interested in is being sure they do their job by the book. Keep that in mind and your frustration level will drop considerably.