I'm happy to say that I was able to move forward with a couple of great new projects this week. Interestingly I found that while I was writing up the paperwork for one particular project I was feeling a lot of stress. You'd think I'd be super excited to turn in the paperwork. I realized that I was stressing because it is such a large important project. It contains multiple elements of our expertise that will come together to create a new managed, secure resilient LAN (local Area Network) and WAN (Wide Area Network). What finally put me at ease was looking around the room and realizing what a great bunch of people I work with. What is it that makes a great company? Is it age, experience, maturity, excellent leadership?
After spending time in the ownership/ leadership role and now playing the role of director/employee I've come to appreciate and understand what it takes to create a culture of accountability and teamwork. I've seen that the best leaders allow their employees to take part in strategic planning and taking on big responsibilities. They hold high expectations for learning, execution and respect. Communication must be respectful and well thought out. Most of all I've seen that great leaders have passion for what they do and they are humble about their place in the world.
I look around me now and know that even though each one of us alone would have a hard time with a project of this size, scope and complexity. As a team where we respect and support each other, where we have effective respectful communication, with leadership that is passionate and humble, we can do whatever we set our minds to. I've learned that its not the individual skill that one person possesses. It's the sum total of the power we have to work together.
It's a setting like this where a technical sales/account manager can have success. It's why I settled down finished the paperwork and turned it in. I'm super excited to kick the project on Tuesday.
Have a great Labor day weekend.
~pz
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
One customer at a time
I've been thinking a lot lately about what i love about my job. Essentially I help customers figure out what the right technology is for their business. I sell it to them and then help them plan out their technology budgets and strategy for the future. I've been doing this for over 15 years so why not try something new? Why technology? Why not stocks and bonds or siding or health care? I'm naturally curious and I've had many jobs: bag boy, SA cashier, Bus Boy, Bell hop, Construction, Pizza delivery guy, Telemarketing, Account manager, Post closing loan guy.....o yeah, Computer lab guy at UW Eau Claire. There were others but I think you get the general idea.
I've figured out there are 2 things that make this really fun and ignite my passion for the work. 1. constanly learning new technologies. I get to have my mind and life renewed through consistent growth 2. Shareing them with my customers and prospects in a way that helps them improve their businesses and therefore thier lives.
I recently finished the book "Tipping Point" by Malcom Gladwell http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0316316962/gladwellcom.
The book talks about what makes a market tip. It says that these tipping points are influenced by a few key different types of people. One of the types of people mentioned is a "connector" this person is loosely connected with lots of different people so when they learn about something new that is really great they are able to spread the news about it very quickly and this is one of the elements that causes the market to tip. I guess in some ways I'm a connector. A lot of people tell me they were thinking about calling me but I always call them first....and that they were glad I kept in touch. We are not always talking tech either. I like just keeping up with their lives. I'm facinated with what each individual faces in their personal and professional lives. I think we all have something we can learn from eachother. We can be a blessing to eachother everyday by listening and sharing ideas and encouragement.
I feel like a lot of technology providers are only interested in making their products tip without really knowing or caring about their customers struggle. These companies want to have their customers make an investment in the latest tech solution without any connection to the customers real business challenges and therefore solutions. So, thats why I've landed on the phrase "One customer at a time". I really think what I have to offer is the best. I know we can help our customers. But If I don't truly care about my customers perspective and challenges and I only want to make my month then to me...its meaningless.
I realize I sound a bit idealistic. Trust me....I know the importance of an agressive sales plan and financial objectives that are met and exceeded. I'm all for sound planning and execution. I'm just saying that without the "One customer at a time" approach I don't think technology providers can have long term success. I think the companies that Tip the market are those that know their customers real challenges and address them with cost effective, viable forward looking solutions.
Thanks ~pz
I've figured out there are 2 things that make this really fun and ignite my passion for the work. 1. constanly learning new technologies. I get to have my mind and life renewed through consistent growth 2. Shareing them with my customers and prospects in a way that helps them improve their businesses and therefore thier lives.
I recently finished the book "Tipping Point" by Malcom Gladwell http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0316316962/gladwellcom.
The book talks about what makes a market tip. It says that these tipping points are influenced by a few key different types of people. One of the types of people mentioned is a "connector" this person is loosely connected with lots of different people so when they learn about something new that is really great they are able to spread the news about it very quickly and this is one of the elements that causes the market to tip. I guess in some ways I'm a connector. A lot of people tell me they were thinking about calling me but I always call them first....and that they were glad I kept in touch. We are not always talking tech either. I like just keeping up with their lives. I'm facinated with what each individual faces in their personal and professional lives. I think we all have something we can learn from eachother. We can be a blessing to eachother everyday by listening and sharing ideas and encouragement.
I feel like a lot of technology providers are only interested in making their products tip without really knowing or caring about their customers struggle. These companies want to have their customers make an investment in the latest tech solution without any connection to the customers real business challenges and therefore solutions. So, thats why I've landed on the phrase "One customer at a time". I really think what I have to offer is the best. I know we can help our customers. But If I don't truly care about my customers perspective and challenges and I only want to make my month then to me...its meaningless.
I realize I sound a bit idealistic. Trust me....I know the importance of an agressive sales plan and financial objectives that are met and exceeded. I'm all for sound planning and execution. I'm just saying that without the "One customer at a time" approach I don't think technology providers can have long term success. I think the companies that Tip the market are those that know their customers real challenges and address them with cost effective, viable forward looking solutions.
Thanks ~pz
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