Back to Basics: Bartering
For centuries, over 6,00 years to be specific, bartering was a way of life before the invention of paper money. People would exchange goods and services for things that they had need of. Kings would exchange land for loyalty as part of the feudal system. Farmers would trade crops in exchange for other commodities, services or tools. Bartering was a way of life. In modern society this form of trading has not been as prevalent as in times past. However, times are changing. With the recent events surrounding our country and more specifically the wildfires in L.A. there is a need to rebuild.
How can we rebuild when we have lost everything? How do we even begin to start over?
Picking up the pieces is no easy task, people have lost homes, memories, livelihoods and so much more. These are definitely trying times. We often forget that WE are our greatest asset. The skills, expertise, wisdom and knowledge that you have amassed over the years can never be taken away from you! This is where creativity, innovation and ingenuity becomes a tool in the rebuilding of your life, your business and your future.
Bartering can be a powerful tool to get things moving in the right direction. Your skills set can be a crucial element in rebuilding your community, one family at a time. The same goes for the tools, skills, goods and services that you may need to accelerate the restoration of your life. Mutually beneficial relationships can be invaluable when done correctly.
I’m sure you’ve heard the slogan, “your word is your bond”, it means that what you say, you will deliver on! In the days when bartering was a way of life they relied heavily on personal promises. Today we “trust but verify” and do a bit more to ensure that everyone holds up their end of the commitment. Contracts are often used when doing business because they are legally binding, meaning that they are enforceable in a court of law. Having such a document in place protects both parties involved and is an extra incentive for each party to follow through on their commitment. If you plan to seek out bartering opportunities at minimum both parties should fill out an Memorandum of Understanding, an MOU. This is a legal document that can be made binding if both parties agree. An MOU clearly defines the terms in which you will be collaborating, deliverables and the length of time the partnership will be in place, thus giving you a framework for moving forward.
It’s time to rebuild, you may not have all the resources needed but someone does. There is no need to wait to get started, you can begin today. For my free MOU template click HERE.
