Are you available?

Firstly, let’s learn that the very word ‘available’ used to mean beneficial. As time passes by, definitions erode from their original formation and wear new uniforms; available now simply means to be accessible. The reason I bring up the etymology of the word, besides my fervent infatuation with all things nerdy and historical, is because I feel we have forgotten the value of just being available and in business this is a costly, loss of memory.

Recently, I watched a short news clip about an obscure man in an even obscurer part of Scotland who happens to be the voice behind many famous TV commercials and shows both here in the UK and overseas. His decibels and timbre have been delivered and transported to over 300 million pairs of ear drums. He has an in-built studio nestled in his cottage in the isles among pastures green where stars are solely seen in the sky or on Sky. How has he become the go-to guy for blockbusters and chat shows? He says the secret to his success is merely being available more than the next person.

As well as television work, he has appeared in a trailer for the Star Wars franchise, and also played a villain in a video game.

He added: “The trick is to just be available.”

(From https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-46100326 )

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