I actually wanted to do the book review today but I’m at a client right now so I’ll do it tomorrow when I actually have the book on hand!

Instead I will tell you how I “got” this current client. It isn’t 100% official yet but the story is a great example of reciprocity at its full power which I strongly believe in.

So what is reciprocity?

 

Okay okay I’ll tell you. 😀

This is the definition from Merriam-Webster.

1: the quality or state of being reciprocal: mutual dependence, action, or influence

2: a mutual exchange of privileges; specifically: a recognition by one of two countries or institutions of the validity of licenses or privileges granted by the other

Wait what?

Lets go with the second one and I’d like to add 1 thing to the definition to make it my definition. I don’t see it as a mutual exchange. The exchange will take place, yes. But that’s not why I do it. I exchange my privileges almost in an altruistic fashion. But I trust that I’ve gained enough karma points and that in some way or form I will get helped when I need it. Not necessarily by the same party.

I can already hear you think “So tell us already will you!”

So when I was still in my day job I suggested we started giving presentations and get customers through that channel. Do some meetups and invite people. They liked the idea but there wasn’t really any follow through.

I decided to just do it myself and take 2 other developers with me and we gave a talk at an existing Meetup group in Amsterdam. We did get time from the company to do the preparations during office hours.

We created an awesome beer iOS app in front of an audience. I got some really positive responses although I don’t think it could have been that good since it was the first time. Anyway we did it for free and two companies got some nice exposure because of it.

One other thing you need to know before we can continue. I play football twice  a week in The Hague with a lot of expats. Will get relevant in a minute. 🙂

On LinkedIn I got a message from someone telling me he heard about the Beer app presentation and asked me to do a talk on iOS like a week and a half in advance.

So I told him lets do it! But I don’t have much time because I’m going on a workation in two weeks.

Funny thing was I didn’t know that I actually knew this guy already from the expat football. We actually already talked that week on the field 😀

I did a presentation where I created a small app that takes pictures, shows them on the screen, ability to draw mustaches on people and share them on social media. What else do you need on your phone?

Then I took off for the cruise.

When I got home he suggested me to a colleague of him if I wanted to be the Lead iOS developer on a potential new project by a known Dutch entrepreneur.

That’s where I am right now. We’re doing a workshop with the entrepreneur in an hour hoping we’re getting this project. Will keep you posted on this.

When I just arrived here I met some people that I saw at the mustache building evening as well and they asked me if I’m willing to work on a project for the biggest Dutch airline company. So new doors opened yet again. The floodgates are open ?

So giving for the sake of giving is really paying off. I wasn’t expecting something but I kinda knew it would bring good things.

I’ve had to deal with a lot of crap the last few years so let the good times roll!

The upward cycle has been initiated 😀

Money time!

Day 13 balance:

Expected expenses today:
Very little again

Expenses yesterday:
Personal:
€ 9,98 had to buy some gloves and a small bag. It’s getting cold here in The Netherlands.
€ 5,50 some coffees (was my turn to pay)
Business
€ 0,00

Expected income today:
Nothing

Income yesterday:
€ 0,00

Wallet:
€ 1,15

Current balance personal account:
€ 44,40 – € 15,48 = € 28,92

Current balance business account:
– € 36,22

Total:
– € 7,30

– IRS: € 46.534,16
– Business: € 22.016,58
– Personal: € 8.609,99 – € 22,41 = € 8.587,58

Total Debt:
€ 77.138,32

Balance day 13:
– € 77.145,62

€ 5.204,60

Cheers,
David

Currently reading this financial book:

The Total Money Makeover: Classic Edition: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness

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