Muse About Current Expertise

[vocals]

Thanks in Advance Everyone

Here is the setup. I currently work from home and have done this for 4 years now. In effect I am liberated. I work as a project manager for a software company and we sell software that runs the entire business from end to end. Like an ERP system. Our customers are small to medium size service organization such as HVAC Companies, Electricians, Plumbers.

Although I am not crazy about the job the software is actually pretty good. Would it be unethical if I were to create a blog or create an ebook about how to choose the correct software for your business? Would I need to be upfront about who I work for?

I am not really passionate about this muse but I feel that it will help me get traction to do other things. I guess in effect any action is good action. Anyone else had a similar experience.

Thanks

[AlexMoen]

Keep in mind that a step in any direction is not necessarily progression.

But, I do not see anything necessarily underhanded about creating that blog, unless you have a contract that explicitly states that you should do otherwise (or if you're stealing away your current company's clients somehow).

However, it also sounds like you could care less about this idea, honestly. Not only that, but a blog is a tough thing to monetize for many people, and is not a muse path that I would recommend to a newbie.

[vocals]

Thanks for the feedback Alex. You are correct. I would not charge up a hill and die for this idea. The business startup books I have read over the years tell you "Do what you know". My business dream has always been a traditional start up with an office, employees etc.. After I read the book I realized that my "dream" would cause me to be stuck in one place all day long and probably work more than I do now. Yikes!

[Simon_Vanuatu]

you specifically asked an ethical question and it looks like Alex gave an ostensibly legal answer. Alex's answer was important - if it's stealing work from your employer or otherwise in breach of your employment contract don't even think of it.

Outside of law there's a huge ethical gray area and I propose a simple test: ask your manager's permission. If you are reluctant to do this, close your eyes and imagine your manager (and his/her manger's) face when they find out what you've done. If they are going to be pissed, then I would say that you have answered your ethical dilemma.

I think the answer may rest on how your propose to monetize your blog and what conflict this may create with your current employment.

cheers
Simon

[AlexMoen]

If you only "do what you know" then you'll never be able to get anywhere that you couldn't before. Sure, it can help to have some part of the company touching on familiar ground. But, the fact of the matter is, unless you've run your own business, you're going to have to learn a new set of skills. And, even then, if you want to grow the business you'd still have to grow your skill set.

Perhaps create a company that does software for a different niche (outside the HVAC, electrician, plumber area you mentioned earlier). Or, perhaps you're more of a manager- take that skill set to put together a solid team. Or, maybe you're really good at making things run more efficiently, or customer service, or... you get my point.

I think you just need a solid brain storming session, and then just throw yourself in the deep end and don't turn back.

[vocals]

I didn't know, what I know today, until I was forced to figure out what I wanted to do with the rest of my life about 15 yrs ago. I have been in the business ever since. I don't see myself in this line of work 5 years from now.

I am going to take Alex's advice and do some serious brain storming.