Life, careers and entrepreneurship by john fees

Creating a Life, Career & Passion for Entrepreneurship

Your life and career is not a ladder…. It is the sum of your knowledge, passions, skills and networks

John T. Fees - @johntfees / or accessvg.com - November 2011

New Life and Career Model

Knowledge Skills

Purpose

Passion

Pyramid Foundation = Stability Ladders are Unstable

What do you want your life to represent, your greatest values

What do you know? What have you learned – this year, in total

Who do your purpose and passion connect you to = your network

What are your enduring passions?

What do you know how to do? What have you added this year?


As it Applies to Me Entrepreneur

Ø  Previous ASU Student Leader / ASASU / Ø  Search Committee for ASU President Ø  Member of Parliament Intern in UK –

student loan reform Ø  Law School = No / student teaching = No / Ø  Sealy Furniture – in Phoenix learned (3

years / branding / sales / HR) Ø  Volunteered for ASU Alumni Association Ø  Hired by ASU Alumni Association (3 years –

affinity, database marketing, industry knowledge)

Ø  Move to Boston for Wife’s Career – No Business School Acceptance (problem of not sharing my goals)

Ø  Sold myself as an expert to Affinity Credit Card companies – MBNA / First USA

Ø  Hired / Promoted and led Collegiate sales for First USA / Bank One

Ø  Accepted and Enrolled at Harvard Business School –

College / Early Career

Higher Ed

Affinity / Web

Sales / Marketing /

Finance

Value Creation Service

Transformation

Education

P. Policy

New Media

Knowledge Skills

Purpose Driven


Past, Present, Future: Overview

College & Early Career Branding, Affinity Marketing & Education

Boston & Affinity Marketing MBA

Consumer Finance, Affinity Marketing Capital Strategy

Affinity Education Internet Consumer Finance, Internet, technology

Sold Companies Value creation, Enterprise Value, M&A

More Ventures Consumer finance, education and affinity marketing

My Story Through Brands Companies come and go –

Reputations and Relationships Endure.


– Who are you around? – What are they doing to you? – Is that OK?

– Questions from Jim Rohn.

Who are You Becoming

Your friends make you – so choose them wisely -‐ John McCallion (My Grandfather)

Your friends make you – so choose them wisely -‐ John McCallion (My Grandfather)


•  Not dependent on your “day” job – Volunteer for growth – Moonlight, start-‐up, explore –  Take chances

•  A total portfolio will provide lopsidedness and meaning to your life

Developing a Total Life Plan Not just a job, but a passion portfolio


Pursuit Of Passion What do you really care about?

•  Prioritize your passion(s) •  Network to find your passion(s)

–  Follow your curiosities—informational interviews, volunteering

–  Seek mentors

•  Network with your passion(s) –  Easy to do through LinkedIn –  Volunteer – try things

•  Integrate your passions into your life/career –  Develop skills, experiences, resume deliverables


Entrepreneurship •  Mindset •  Everyone can be entrepreneurial – but not everyone

should start a business •  Moral compass required •  Do what you love, the money will follow •  Ideas alone are not sufficient, the ability to attract

and lead talented people to execute on your vision is vital to being a successful entrepreneur

•  Small businesses are great / but high potential ventures are best

•  Choose growth markets John T. Fees - @johntfees / or accessvg.com - November 2011

RESOURCES

•  FlipBoard – for iPad •  Respected Voices on Twitter

•  The New York Times - it is free and it is high quality

•  Harvard Business Review - classics including “Managing Up”

•  Stanford Technology Ventures Web Site – You Tube Channel

•  Wall Street Journal - because your best

prospects do

HABITS

•  Remember the Basics

•  Return phone calls •  Return emails

•  Be on early and always on time

•  Be courteous – ask questions

•  Be grateful •  No Excuse Policy

•  Speak the truth

•  Listen

Shape your world


Careers

•  “There are always those who know how working for those who know why - through history you understand why? –  Success comes from knowing why –  Failure often comes from not knowing

how” • Sam Fees (DAD)

•  You can’t give others what you don’t have


Must Reads •  First Discover Your Strengths – Buckingham •  What I wish I knew when I was 20 - Selig •  The Purple Cow – Seth Godin •  Discover your Career in Business - T. Butler •  7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Covey •  Ship of Gold – Binder a story of passion /

entrepreneurship •  Accidental Billionare - Mezrich Also – Twitter Topics / Individuals -  @johntfees -  @accessventures John T. Fees - @johntfees / or accessvg.com - November 2011

New Life and Career Model

Knowledge Skills

Passion

Build your Pyramid

What do you want your life to represent, your greatest values, your purpose?

What do you know? What have you learned – this year, in total

Who do your purpose and passion connect you to = your network

What are your enduring passions?

What do you know how to do? What have you added this year?

Knowledge Skills


No Regrets! Make service to others, your

passions, and your relationships a priority and success will

follow.

John Kobara, mentor
