Making Me Marketable Memories
It's less than a year to graduation. What would you wants someone to tell you 25 years from now if you had the opportunity to start fresh today?
Reflection.
Introspection.
Speculation?
Thinking about what you would have done differently makes getting caught in a trap of regret easy.
Should I have taken that internship?
Should I have worked for a corporation?
Should I have taken that risk when others told me no?!
The consideration between regret and reward depends upon your worldview of decision-making.
A life with fewer obstacles is a simple way to live.
A life filled with more decisions, risks, and rewards helps you lead a more fulfilling life where you can make a positive impact on others.
As an entrepreneur, professional speaker, and commercially published business author I have taken many risks that have taught myself and others valuable lessons. You learn how to accept rejection. You learn how to accept what you cannot control. You learn rewards come with persistence.
Last week I was invited to return to the University of Missouri-Columbia to speak to the Trulaske College of Business. I also volunteered to be a professor for a day for a class on Global Marketing and serve as a panelist for the Making Me Marketable business conference held on campus.
This post highlights some of the takeaways, questions asked, and follow-up answers as promised in hopes of inspiring the next generation of business leaders to go on and do amazing work.
In the global marketing session, I shared my journey in entrepreneurship and how I built a globally recognized brand. This process can be used for anyone, at any stage of their career, and used to create a business doing what you love.
Here are the three questions to ask/answer.
What do you love?
Your passion fuels behavior. Right now you might enjoy playing video games with your friends and that’s cool. Right now you might work at the school helping other students with their favorite activities, hobbies, and special interests. Doing what you enjoy most allows you to tap into the persistence required to learn new ways of getting better at what you love and overcome obstacles along the way.
What can you learn?
Learn as much as you possibly can about the things you love and the skills required to become the best in your field. Read as many books as you possibly can. Listen to as many audiobooks as you possibly can. Take as many online courses as you possibly can. Listen to as many podcasts as you possibly can. Attend as many conferences as you possibly can. Find as many people as you can who believe in you and your ability to succeed despite the mistakes you are guaranteed to make over time.
What can you give?
When you acquire knowledge and skills, develop a positive attitude, and demonstrate your skills with practice, you can serve in ways others cannot do for themselves. Your personal development becomes a superpower that helps individuals and organizations improve the way that serves others. This makes you incredibly valuable. Donating your time to organizations is a great way to master those skills because it gives you a safe place to practice. There will become a point when others will ask you how much you charge.
Q. What is the best book you have ever read?
A. Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People. Your ability to build relationships is one of the most critical skills you can develop and master over time. When you think about building relationships, find ways to add value to the other person. Can you make time to listen to the other person without judgment? Can you recommend a product or tool that will help? Can you suggest a book or resource? When you add value to another person, you deposit in a “relationship bank account” that builds over time.
Q. What are the best sales books you have ever read?
A. I would read everything by Mark Hunter. Mark’s approach to prospecting, creating business value, and forming relationships are extremely valuable. If a career in sales is your path, make it a point to read as many books even if some offer conflicting points. You develop your style and what works for you but first you must master the fundamentals from those who have had success in the past.
Q. How should I negotiate my salary right out of school?
A. You can't negotiate a salary when you don’t have a proven track record. I had to give a 50% referral fee for my first real estate deal. My commission was split again with the buyer’s agent and again with my brokerage. I earned the 17% commission and learned how to sell multifamily properties as my first hands-on, real-world real estate course. Had I tried to negotiate, I wouldn’t have made any money, wouldn’t have had the experience, and wouldn’t have had the confidence to take my next client on.
What are some ways you stay ahead of the competition?
Outlearn the competition. I have taken Kobe Bryant’s approach to becoming a Hall of Fame basketball player in learning. Learn in the early morning, morning, afternoon, mid-afternoon, early evening, and late evening to perfect your craft and do that consistently over ten years and you will become one of the greats. For the last few years, I focused on my son’s childhood development. He’s starting fourth grade having skills they don’t teach until much later in school. He’s typing 25 words a minute, has a YouTube channel, testing above grade level in most subjects, and has 75+ hours of community service. He’s well-prepared because of the deliberate focus invested in his learning and development. Instead of watching another movie or playing another game, open up a book or take a course to help give an extra edge.
What is the biggest choice you have had to make?
Choosing a life partner that shares the same personal values. As you get older and stay consistently focused on your work, there are existential pressures that force you to make decisions and compromises that might conflict with your values. If I had the chance to find the right person for me, I wouldn’t have compromised my values for the sake of having a partner.
How can I become a professional speaker?
Join Toastmasters and give as many presentations as you possibly can. I read my first professional presentation from a piece of paper without looking up. I didn’t even know you could make a living from giving a presentation until someone asked me how much I charged. If you can earn money from delivering 20 paid presentations in a year, you can join the National Speakers Association to learn how to build a business from speaking.
What should I put on my resume?
I’m not exactly sure. I haven’t been good at writing resumes in my career because as an entrepreneur you are constantly selling yourself, being interviewed by potential customers daily, and developing skills that don’t follow a linear career path. You don’t need a title to become a community leader except if you are writing a resume. That’s why I’m not the best person to answer this question.
Can you make introductions to others in your professional network to help me get a job?
It depends. Referrals are not given. They are earned. You must do the work required to earn trust. Others will not tell you the work required to earn the referral. You must research information about the referral source, ask questions that show you are interested in them, and offer ways to be helpful. If you want a referral to someone from my network, at least have your resume ready. Be specific in what role you want and be honest with your intentions. If you don’t do this work in the initial stages and do not follow up on time, you might not have the same referral opportunity again.
How can I market myself to get a new job?
“Making Me Marketable” isn’t really about me. It’s about marketing and serving you.