Make people smile
Ending the year with lots of unknowns, yet here’s 5 things about white-collar work that haven’t changed ...
1️⃣ “Make people smile,” is the #1 unwritten job responsibility that will help you find success. Sure, in Design, Marketing, or Product jobs you need to be smart and capable, yet let’s go with the assumption that all applicants can do the job. Yet not everyone is someone you want to work with again. Be the Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Florence Pugh, or Tom Holland of your team.
2️⃣ Fastest way to increase your salary is to leave. Loyalty and (the false promise of) security costs you money. Always has, always will. Businesses are mercenary and it’s okay for you to be as well. Companies are buying your time, which is THE most precious, non-renewable resource—so how much is your time worth?
3️⃣ Corporate life is cyclical.
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A): Typically linked to boom times, yet also to tech and regulatory shifts. Right now for chip makers it’s the former, hence Nividia buying Groq, yet in Hollywood it’s the latter and everyone fighting over Discovery-Warner Bros.
Layoffs: Sometimes it’s less about profits and more about pleasing shareholders, especially when it’s a trend. Companies cut employees and the share price goes up.
Startup > Growth > Maturity > Renewal or Decline: When applying to a company, give thought to where in the corporate business cycle a company is as it might hint if a merger, acquisition, or layoff is coming soon.
4️⃣ Networking is about building trust, not loose connections. Whether online or in person, there’s a business group for everything, so find a few groups that align to career goals. Start with one and dedicate 1-hour per week for at least 90-days to see if you gain traction. If not, then move onto the next group on your list. Just like the real world, you’ll have to find your people.
5️⃣ Every company claims they want innovation. In actuality, they want predictable results with no surprises—especially if they’re publicly held. When interviewing, show how you can bring predictable results that either increase revenue or save the company money.
Out of these, I'd say #1 is the most important as Life Advice as well as Career Advice.
Keep on smilin' ...
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