Doing Business in Seattle Really Sucks

Trying to get anything done in Seattle is impossible. I mentioned the service ethic - a non-existent one - and this relates to business in general.

Inherent laziness, stupidity, sense of entitlement or just arrogance leads to interesting encounters in the business world.

Take "biznik" it started here by a couple of individuals who felt networking the old fashioned way was just too inconvenient. Getting dressed in clothes and going out, shaking hands, speaking and well having social skills was too challenging. So they formed their version of the BNI pyramid scheme called Biznik.

It attracted the conventional Seattle slacker types - solo - entrepreneurs that they renamed "solopreneurs", fringe folks and some legitimate business people who thought hey this is free and not as scary as LeTip or BNI. Well many were members of those scary cultish groups so they used this as an opportunity to recruit new members.

Biznik modeled after Facebook or MySpace was too cool for school and you "friended" your network members, wrote acclaims, starred or commented on articles. Points are awarded and if you do a lot and of course are also willing to pay additional money you would be placed in a premium location on Bizniks first pages. WHATEVER.

Then there are conventional networking events from the Chamber of Commerce to of course the GSBA a LGBT networking version of the chamber.

What you get are people who sit there enjoy the drinks and the socializing and then you never hear from them again unless they want YOU to do something for THEM. There is never an opportunity to collaborate and work together its what you can do to make their life easier. I am amazed at how difficult it is to even make appointments for simple services. Even Yelp lists dozens of complaints regarding Doctors and Dentists who seem to make every request a challenge.

I recall a conversation with an Architect who was on a project in San Francisco and he complained about the work ethic that he found there. They started at 9 or earlier and often worked late. He was often required to provide daily updates and information and felt really put upon. He commented that here he felt "less pressure" and did not have to worry about his daily accountability on a project. GREAT.

I have dozens of examples first hand of being hauled to meetings and going nowhere fast. I am aggressive, assertive and intelligent. And that brings the conventional Seattleite to their knees. They cannot handle the direct inquiries and expectations that in most other cities are simple expectations of work.

Work in Seattle a dirty word. Which goes well with the standards of hygiene here. But that is for another Sucking post.