Episode 173 - Surrounding Yourself with the Right People
Posted on 20 August, 2009 at 13:45 PM There are already 17 Comments

About the Show

Whenever we have set out on a new 'mission' (sport business etc.) we have always entered with an open mind and in a space where we could learn as much as possible.

During our time as racing drivers one of the best in the business used to mentor us. Now with the web and even themes we have been fortunate enough to have become friends with a pretty knowledgeable and experienced group of people.

Even with Marc's cycling he has managed to learn from riders who have cycled in the Tour de France (not bad hey).

So in our mind we have seen this pattern and decided that it deserved it's own couch session. In this episode we speak about the importance of getting good people around you so that you can learn as much as you can.

It's about find people who have the same values/interest as you so that the friendship is real and not just some façade which you use and abuse. The more genuine you are the more you will learn.

Check out the vid and let us know your thoughts!

PS. Follow us on Facebook, we are posting more and more content on there everyday which you will find very useful.

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User Comments

John Turner    20 Aug, 2009 15:11:25 PM

Just discover this show about a month ago, shows are always extremely honest! Good job!

David Perel    20 Aug, 2009 15:18:25 PM

@John - Thank you!

Rachel Bastarache    20 Aug, 2009 15:29:33 PM

Good advice on surrounding yourself with likeminded people! There's a proverb along those lines: 'As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens another."

One thing I've noticed is that sometimes, it isn't always you doing the surrounding. There have been times when other people have come along and decided that they wanted to mentor and teach me. I would have asked them at some point, but on occasion, my mentors have "beat me to the punch" and stepped in without my asking! Be on the lookout for those people. Sometimes they see some potential in you and your ideas that you yourself don't see.

Excellent point about the Facebook fan pages!

Nice to see "From the Couch: Old School" return! Hehe! :)

Dave    20 Aug, 2009 15:33:11 PM

Good advice on surrounding yourself with the right people.

Also, agreed on the Facebook fan page potential. It's huge.

David Perel    20 Aug, 2009 15:38:54 PM

@Dave and @Rachel - I wrote a post about the FB pages on We are not Freelancers. Check it out:

www.wearenotfreelancers.co.za/view_item.cfm/title/facebook_fan_pages_are_they__the_way_forward

Rachel Bastarache    20 Aug, 2009 15:53:41 PM

@David Thanks! I tried to find that the other day and couldn't . . . for some weird reason. Thanks for posting the link.

Rob MacKay    20 Aug, 2009 17:39:40 PM

You guys are right again... it also benefits both parties...

Marc, iPhone is prob your best bet to be honest... get with it brudda... Oh and you seem to have a smudge under your nose, were you drinking hot chocolate before the show?

David Perel    20 Aug, 2009 17:45:00 PM

@Rob - LOL dude, brother Marc has decided to grow a mustache! We are digging it at Obox HQ :P

Rob MacKay    20 Aug, 2009 20:37:37 PM

@David and I thought he just hadn't washed properly...



... love ya really marc ;)

Chris    20 Aug, 2009 20:48:39 PM

Another great show. I must admit that the old style of from-the-couch definitely still has some great appeal, but the new format is great too.

Also, just wanted to say that you guys really nailed it on this one. I think it's something we all think about when discussing our "interests" with others. The biggest thing I find is that you always have to an open mind to the people you meet because you never know what you might learn from them, even if it doesn't have to do with your skill set and maybe it's more of a life lesson. Just like gathering inspiration, it can come from anywhere at anytime.

Great show. Well done!

Marc Perel    21 Aug, 2009 09:41:36 AM

@Rob - Yeah, I told you I had no water pressure at home! Haha.

The tache is a test run for Movember (Moooovember, everyone must grow a mustache)

Alex    21 Aug, 2009 10:18:38 AM

Absolutely agree. It's a maxim to live by. Remember kids: "If you lie with dogs, you will get fleas". My cat taught me that, btw.

Rex Stevens    21 Aug, 2009 11:52:06 AM

Marc, i just got a G1 which is on Google's Android platform and while its still doesn't have near as many good apps as the iPhone i think its getting there and we are going to see a lot more developers producing for Android. Just my 2 cents.

Oh and love the stache, you should check out this page from the "LessAccoutning" guys...

lesseverything.com/staches

Heather    24 Aug, 2009 20:18:30 PM

I've also been very hesitant to switch over to an iphone as I've been a huge blackberry fan for a while now. I do think the BB is lagging behind in terms of apps and being as developer friendly as the iphone seems to be. Have you thought about the Palm Pre?

Rachel Bastarache    24 Aug, 2009 20:31:29 PM

I've got the iPhone, and I have not been disappointed with it. I'm disappointed with AT&T, but that's another issue. The phone has worked great, the apps available are very handy, and when it comes to the possibility of development, I think the Apple SDK offers a stable platform.

I nearly got the Google phone (the G1), and I think it would be a great alternate if you don't want to go with the "rest of the crowd". From what I've read about the Android platform, it looks promising when it comes to app development, and plus its open sourced. You can't go wrong with that!

Marc Perel    25 Aug, 2009 09:36:35 AM

Thanks for all the phone advice peeps :D I'll keep you all updated as to which option I go for in a months time.

Andrew    26 Aug, 2009 01:39:40 AM

I also definitely agree with being open-minded when networking with others, whether it be done on the Internet or real face-to-face interaction. I enjoy the conversations I have with just about everyone from all walks of life. They do not necessarily have to share the same interests or passion as I do just like Chris was saying because I can learn from just about anyone.

A practice that I am trying to master is stripping away all titles from each person I meet. Regardless if the person is a CEO or an intern, I want to be able to interact with both on the same level, neither one below or above one another. Unfortunately, it's easier said than done because the majority of people that I know favor people who are more "accomplished" or "recognizable".

Anyway, one last thing. I've noticed that whenever I am totally in the present moment at an event or wherever, the most wonderful, like-minded people enter my life from literally out of nowhere. By being aware of what's happening around me, everything seems to just fall into place...it's amazing!