One Gen-Y Perspective...

The Importance of Time

2009-10-19T15:19:00.003-05:00

With my recent career change, I am now presented with a problem of scheduling my day. Formerly I didn't have to think too much into my schedule. 7:30AM up until 5:30PM was covered every day, Monday through Friday, so the only scheduling choices that needed to be made were the weekday PM hours and then how I was going to spend my weekend "free time."

Now that is all gone. Not only do I not have a large chuck of my waking hours predetermined, but there is also not the inherent priority of work hours over social hours or sleep hours. Yes, I still have to work, but no, I do not have to be at a desk before 8AM Monday through Friday. I still schedule appointments, but they are just as likely to be on Saturday afternoon or 6AM on a Tuesday as they are to be during traditional working hours.

I now have to think about my schedule from a whole new light. We have all heard the idiom that time is money. Especially with a commission based job, if I am not working, I am not making money. In a motivated person, this leads to a feeling of "always on" or at the very least feeling guilty for taking personal time when you should be working. I have a few solutions that I am working through and will revisit in the coming months, but will outline here:

1. Operate off of a task list - regardless of the hours spent on a given task, or hours in an office (or at a coffee shop/desk), it is still important to make sure that work is being accomplished. In the corporate environment I kept a list of things that I needed to do every day and then another list of projects and milestones to stay on track and then a third list for personal to-do's outside of work hours. Now that I don't have set work-time versus me-time, I have let the lists blend together. I put a greater emphasis on setting the priority of the list now because I do know that my time is valuable and I do not have the natural stop/start divides inherent in a natural work day.

2. Stay on task - as a natural extension of the task list, there is this self discipline component that needs its own subheading. I have a tendency to half-complete #1 on the list and let my eyes wander down to #3 or #4 and get distracted at completing the task at hand. If #1 is a phone call I'm not excited to make and #4 is to set my fantasy football roster, it isn't hard to see why I might pass the priority I set and take care of #4 first. But I know it is bad, and continued success as a salesperson is dependent on my sticking with completing tasks with the highest priorities.

3. Recognize the scheduling component - some tasks are time independent where as others have an associated time component. I can balance my checkbook at anytime where if I need to schedule a showing, I will be at the mercy of the property owner's schedule AND the client's schedule. All that means is that scheduling priority takes places with the most stringent scheduling needs first and sometimes a task that is more important but with greater scheduling flexibility can get pushed further down the priority list addressed above.

4. Play around with productive times - I know that I am most productive with certain tasks at certain times of the day. I can knock out emails and paperwork type stuff first thing in the morning, where as I tend to zone out on that type of work around lunchtime. I am dynamite on phone calls or in meetings around lunchtime or early afternoon, but talking is the last thing I want to do first thing in the morning. You get the idea though, I am more productive on certain tasks as certain times of the day, so I try my best to plan my daily task list around those productive times.

This is a quickly-hashed-out list, but the ideas are legit. There is a huge learning curve staying active and productive when every minute of the week is "my time" versus the combination of "company time" & "personal time." Now it is all about finding the balance on my own.

Sales Goals - Build the Pipeline

2009-10-12T12:26:00.004-05:00

Success in my new career will depend greatly on me improving my sales skills. I have a certain relatability with people, but know that I need work closing the quick sale. My strengths come from getting to know a client, likes and dislikes, and method of approach necessary. I am not hyper-aggressive and have had success in the past when I am heard out in a calm manner versus shouting out my 30-second elevator pitch before getting a door (or phone) slammed in my face. Building a pipeline for future sales allowing for more of a 'slow-burn' sale is the key to future success in this industry.

I don't want to scream out lies and exaggerations only to have my follow-through and reputation based on something that came out of my mouth when I was trying to not get hung up on. Because I know my relative strengths and weaknesses, I am working to build up the parts of my sales pitch that I can control. I may not always be able to control a first impression based on a phone call or chance meeting, but I can improve that initial impression when found through my company website, social networks, or even prior client referrals & past experiences. I know that a polished image and solid information to get through some of the more challenging sells that will lie in my future, so being educated and presentable is also a must-do for improving my sales game.

Buyers what to be informed. I need to be the reliable source to give them that information. Until I can build up a respectable amount of personal referrals and work/deal experience highlights, I will need to project an image of that knowledgeable source that they crave. In order to make that happen, I am currently working on improving my profile in the 'Meet our Agents' section on the company website. The goal is to stand out in a good way with an accurate and warming description of who I am and how I can bring the experiences I do have to the table. The next piece is to reach out via other social networks (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc) and utilize networks that have already been built to further my professional profile.

The third phase is the most important; turn those new acknowledgments of what I am doing now into bonafide new sales. New referrals and further sales come directly out of this phase, building on itself, so converting the new acknowledgments into the initial sales needs to be the focus of the next few weeks. This is the first time in my sales career where my target market is easily relatable to where I am in life. I can gain clients by going out to a party, bar or other social event, point them to the website in addition to a quick overview of what I do then focus on closing a sale from there.

Everyone needs a place to live. My goal isn't to find everyone a new home starting from the time our paths cross. The goal is to have them think of me the next time they need a new place to live, knowing that I am relatable and will be there to answer questions, consult them on their needs and get the job done. The goal is to build the pipeline...the goal is the 'slow-burn.'

New Mission...

2009-10-08T13:51:00.002-05:00

I need a chronicle of my life and now is a necessary time to start (finally).

I recently quit my day job as an Operations Manager with a quickly growing logistics company to try my hand at real estate (and subsequently as a bar/restaurant employee). There have been times over the last few weeks where I have wondered what the f@#% I just did giving up a steady paycheck to chase a dream. Answer at the moment is that I have no idea. I just need to trust that I made the right decision for me and move on from here.

Now this isn't meant to be some running diary type blog about my daily waivering on a made decision. I am just writing to chronicle an interesting time in my life. I am reading a lot, trying new things, meeting a ton of new people, and finally perusing a career that will benefit me long-term as opposed to collecting a paycheck at a job where I don't envision a fulfilling future. This forum will focus on things that interest me. There will be some personal comments on the ongoings in my life, but mostly I'll just focus on current events, real estate/sales stuff and generalities of being a 26 year old guy living it up in Chicago.

Enjoy!

Picture of Me

2009-06-12T12:56:00.000-05:00

Getting Mobile Blogger up and running!

Another Shot

2009-06-08T22:24:00.002-05:00

It has been awhile since I have been active here. I think I went about the thing all wrong. I was trying to get some well-thought-out pieces together and better market myself online, but lost the real intent. That real intent was to THINK and to WRITE and to PUBLISH.

I had a whole list of half-thought-out post idea that never made it to this site and realized that this blog should be about me. It shouldn't need to be contrived and I shouldn't need to be frozen by the notion that something I might write would be sub-par, I just need to get it out there.

So anyway, here is One Gen-Y Perspective, Part 2. I will still work on throwing in a few links and some well thought out pieces, but will also bring the focus back to the original intention. That original intention was to get my thoughts out there, as half-baked as they may be. So starting now, there will be more frequent posts. I will mix it up with links and pictures and random thoughts; and short bursts and Twitter postings redone and comments on news happenings. I hope it will be interesting and I know it will be constantly evolving.

I hope you enjoy!

President Obama

2009-01-20T09:05:00.003-06:00

Today is a historic occasion. At noon Eastern, Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. Aside from the obvious implications (new President, black man in the White House, Bush is gone, etc.), there are many other aspects as to why this has been such a historic occasion:

Obama, like no other person (President or otherwise) that I can remember, has the ability to inspire. More citizens than ever got involved in the election process right through to the turnout expected today at the inauguration event.
Washington has been flooded with not only people in town to see today's inauguration, but a whole slew of events through the entire week. HBO even broadcast a star-studded concert event to celebrate the occasion. You can still watch 'We Are One' here.
Obama's campaign raised unprecedented amounts of funding through not only inspiring the "traditional" donors, but also making it possible to donate small amounts through his website.
Obama treated his Presidential campaign just like an advertising campaign... and it worked! He understood that in order for his message to be heard, that it had to be out in the open where people would see it. Just comparing campaign websites was enough to know which candidate "got it" and which one was clinging to ways campaigns have always been run.
Obama's election strategy clearly identified the significance of non-traditional media in the election process. The fact that he had a social media toolkit and that his facebook wall now has over 500,000 posts are only two examples of how Obama has embraced the technology of a new generation.

Now I can only hope that Obama will continue to embrace creative solutions and forward thinking to improve on our nations problems. I, along with everyone present in D.C. today, and others everywhere are excited for this new day in American history. It truly is a historic event. Good luck, Mr. President.

Winter Fun - Game Night

2009-01-18T19:03:00.005-06:00

The Chicago winters are cold, wet, snowy, sloppy and generally miserable. This year even more than most. I am still pretty new to the city, but am used to the snow. It is the new lifestyle of walking to work in the wind and slush covered sidewalks that takes its toll over the long winter. Although it is still important to get out during even the coldest months (and I will save winter fashion in the city for another post), I will instead present...

Top 5 Game Night Games - winter 2009 edition
...for those nights when its just too damn cold to go outside!

1. Wii Bowling -- many Wii games are great for groups (Rock Band or Guitar Hero also come to mind), but none take the cake quite like the simplistic genius of Wii Bowling. It is bowling in your living room. Can't get much better than that. Just don't be like this guy.

2. Risk -- in all the ways that Wii is new and innovative, Risk is classic and simplistic. It is the game of world domination that your parents used to play. If that steers you in the other direction, don't let it. Risk is a great game that will provide a full evening of enjoyment for you and a table full of friends.

3. Mafia -- for a slightly bigger party, Mafia is the way to go. Mafia is a game of deception where you can even get away with killing your friends! I have found that you can get by with 8 people, but 12 seems to work best, as long as participants stay involved.

4. Catch Phrase -- also great for a slightly larger group, Catch Phrase is the perfect game to bring out the creativity in your circle of friends. There are many other options for word games, but Catch Phrase rises above them all. All you is needed is the unit itself! It spits out all of the clues and even keeps score, so no need for additional props!

5. Monopoly -- classic. Monopoly is maybe not the best game, or even the most fun, but there is no denying that a game closet is not complete without it inside. Monopoly is a must-have option for any game night, and although it might not be the most exciting, you will rarely have a bad time with this stand-by.

Now the trick to a solid game night is to get people to come to you. It is winter, and the point of a game night is to not have to go outside. Most games listed above are perfect with just a handful of players, so you only need a few brave souls to head out in the cold for a great night. If you really feel bad, as host you can provide the beers.

Have fun and stay warm!

THIS is Why I Started Blogging...

2009-01-13T15:25:00.005-06:00

There has been a great debate going on back and forth over the last few days between two of my favorite Gen-Y bloggers. It is a perfect example of why I (finally) started blogging.

The Initiator

It started last week when Monica O'Brien over at Twenty Set authored the post 'Exposing the Hidden Truths and Empty Promises of Blog Networks.' This post struck me on a personal note, because I was inspired to get into blogging by the people over at Brazen Careerist and envisioned that in the near future I would (will?) apply to the network. I don't know exactly what I would hope to get by joining the network, but I do (did?) want to explore what a blog network geared towards a person like me has to offer. As an admitted blog lurker (hat tip to Nisha Chittal), I was under the impression that Monica was employed with Brazen Careerist, so was intrigued to say the least by what looked like a sudden change of heart.

I don't feel that it is necessary to get into a full analysis of Monica's post (you can read it here), but I do want to point out how a great discussion was started by taking a controversial position on a topic that hit home with a lot of people. As of now, Brazen Careerist has hundreds of bloggers and what I would guess are thousands of readers. Regardless, something obviously rubbed her the wrong way for her to swear off of all blog networks, especially when I was under the impression that she was an employee.

The Response

The great thing about Monica's post is that it garnered a huge response (see her comments section) and inspired a counter-argument post by another favorite blogger, Rebecca Thorman, over at Modite. Rebecca's post (here) doesn't discredit anything Monica said, but also was not shy about pointing out the benefits of blog networks in a very contradictory way. Rebecca's post also generated some nice comments, both on her own blog as well as on the argued upon blog network. The point of all of this is that it is possible to have an intelligent conversation with two well-thought-out, yet differing viewpoints that inspired a great discussion among many people.

The Outcome

I have since commented on both posts at Twenty Set and Modite, where I never would have in the past. Great discussion on an interesting topic intrigues me and was a main reason for starting this blog. I only hope to take the lead of those before me and get my thoughts and ideas, controversial or not, out in the open.

So a big thank you to Monica and Rebecca and everyone else out there that is courageous enough to get the discussion ball rolling!

I Know What's 'G'!

2009-01-11T22:16:00.003-06:00

Last week while watching some BCS football games was the first time I saw this commercial. In case you haven't seen it, the commercial is a 60 second clip narrated by Lil Wayne and features a camera panning over a large number of sports stars ranging from Michael Jordan to the Jabbawockeez (of America's Best Dance Crew fame). The clip seems very cryptic in that it isn't really about anything, but figured they would hit me with it towards the end of the game. The followup never happened, and I didn't think about it again until yesterday.

I was flipping through a magazine and came across a bright neon yellow page with only the letter 'G'; the same 'G from the commercial earlier this week. Again, I thought it was an interesting ad campaign, but placed it aside figuring I would be amazed in a few weeks when they really hooked us in with another commercial. Then I saw the commercial again tonight. Still confusing, but this time I happened to be by my computer. As Google is a wonderful thing, I now know that 'G' is Gatorade.

So after giving myself a little pat on the back, I found myself disappointed. "What do you mean that 'G' only stands for Gatorade?" I was intrigued by the commercial. There was obviously some star power behind the ad, so I guess you can say that I expected more than a sports drink. Maybe an athlete-funded charity, or a new music/sports/entertainment television station. But no, just Gatorade re-branding itself.

Although I will give them props for a creative ad campaign, really, what are they doing?! The campaign was clearly designed to get people talking...

"What IS 'G' anyway?

"I don't know! but there sure are a lot of stars in that ad, and Lil Wayne's voice is so hypnotic!"

...but when were they planning to throw out what they were actually selling. As I said before, I had to go online to find out all about this 'G'. All I have to say is that the Gatorade website didn't show up in the first 5 pages of results and I gave up looking after that many clicks. I did eventually find what I was looking for through a description on the YouTube video, but how hard would it be for them to link the commercial searches to their corporate site?

In my mind, it is irresponsible to let people find out this way. If you want a cryptic campaign to leave a longer impression, you should still take ownership of how it is revealed. Right now, there are a few videos and blogs throwing around everything from how it is a great new campaign to how Lil Wayne is quite literally a 'commercial' sellout. If I were responsible for how the brand is being handled, I would think they would at least like to guide the conversation. Between personal blogs and Twitter and all the other chatter out on the web, how come I could not even find the Gatorade website by searching for their own ad campaign?

All I am saying is that in this day and age, you have to remember that you can have a great campaign, but that just throwing up a website is not enough. Once you actually make it to the Gatorade website, they have a nice little setup, but the problem is that I lost interest 5 clicks into my Google search so never got there. Instead I started reading up on how Lil Wayne is, or is not the best rapper alive. I hardly think that is the conversation 'G' was meant to inspire.

New Year, New Goals

2009-01-08T20:42:00.000-06:00

Many people take this time of year to set up resolutions for the coming months. Some decide on ambiguous goals like losing weight, being more pleasant around coworkers or family, or even to take more time to themselves. The problem with those resolutions is that they leave too much wiggle room and rarely end up sticking for the long term. On the other hand, some people take resolutions more seriously and spend time thinking of more clear, attainable goals and the steps needed to get there.

I originally was part of the first group, in that my resolution was to make myself more marketable. I do not necessarily want a new job just yet, but I would be a fool to not keep my options open in these economic times. I realized quite quickly that there was no possible way I was going to make myself more marketable without a clear plan and more specific set of goals. So here they are, my goals for 2009:

Start a blog on work and life as a 20-something. (I don't know just yet where the discussion will be focused, but I do know that it is just as important to start. I will let current events and other interesting readings/discussions dictate where this goes until I can get together a more precise mission statement.)
Post 2-3 times per week. (This is the real goal, as it will force me to think of material that is interesting an engaging that will hopefully inspire conversation.)
Link said blog postings to a website. (www.patricksullivan.me) (The website will also have my resume and a link to social network sites where I can be found so that I have a central presence on the web and get my personal brand out in the open.)
Gain 20+ readers within 90 days. (I want to be a part of the conversation that I see going on with peers in my generation, but can't do that without some help.)

I hope that these concise goals will allow me to start conversations and gain a little recognition in topics that interest me and the other young working professionals of my generation. I feel that it is important for both my personal and professional development to get this blog going and gain a few contacts in the process. So, here is to the New Year, and I will see you soon!