From those in the trenches: These business leaders share the best business and career advice they’ve received.
Recently, we reached out to the experts to uncover the best business and career advice, and their responses are pure gold.
From focusing on core purposes and embracing continuous learning, to mastering the art of managing up, these nuggets of wisdom offer powerful, real-world strategies. You’re sure to find something to inspire you.
The insights aren’t just theoretical – they come from people who have been in the trenches and know what it takes to succeed.
Saptharishi (Saptha) Suresh
Director and Buyer’s Agent: Tenant to Owner
The most valuable advice I ever received was to focus on the core purpose behind my work. For me, that meant truly understanding why I became a buyer’s and renter’s agent at Tenant to Owner. This introspection wasn’t just about securing homes for clients; it was about empowering them to achieve long-term financial stability. This fuels my passion, especially during challenging times. Knowing my purpose allows me to be a fierce advocate for my clients, whether they’re tenants seeking a dream home or first-time buyers navigating a competitive market.
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Glenn Yee
Chief Executive Officer: Robot My Life
Whether you operate your own business or lead a team as an employee, you are probably focused on driving performance, as it is correlated to either business or career growth.
In an age of endless data, what do you focus on to make a difference?
One of the best pieces of advice I was given was, “What gets measured gets done.” Meaning, what are the key numbers that relate to your business and what is the story the numbers tell?
You don’t need to be an accounting expert, for example, a simple ratio of marketing spend to sales can quickly highlight risks and opportunities. Most important of all, it can highlight issues or opportunities in real-time, not a month later.
As a mentor once said to me, “You never drive a car forward-looking in the rearview mirror.”
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Jess Patman
Shore Operations Manager: Wildlife Coast Cruises
Along my professional journey, I’ve come to firmly believe that continuous learning is vital for advancing both one’s career and business. It’s not merely a stepping stone to progress; rather, it’s a driver for professional development and innovation, irrespective of your career position or title.
You will find that in today’s rapidly evolving landscape, where technologies move quickly and industries undergo constant shifts, adopting a mindset of continued learning is crucial. This ensures adaptability and relevance amidst the ever-changing demands of the industry.
Personally, I embrace this concept in my professional life. I actively engage in courses, conduct online research, participate in industry workshops, and seek guidance from mentors. These endeavours open doors to new perspectives, broaden my skill set, and sharpen my problem-solving abilities.
Throughout one’s career, setting aside time for learning is the most reliable path to achieving sustained excellence. Investing in learning is investing in future success.
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Andrew Wilkinson
Managing Director: Venn Brown
I don’t remember ever being given any great career advice. One thing I wish someone had told me is that if you want to accelerate your career progression be proactive in managing your relationship with your boss. When you start in a role, meet with them and ask them how you can excel in the role. Follow this with regular 3-to-6-month catchups to track and get feedback on your progress. Tell them where you want to be in various time horizons, including role, skill set, experience and salary, and ask them how you can get there. Finally, ask them how they want you to report to them. If your manager knows you will tell them of any issues or delays, they will know they don’t need to keep track of you, and you’ve just taken a significant responsibility off their plate, which is incredibly valuable.
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Genovieve Grouios
Director: Linear Abacus®
The best business advice I received was from my mother, Rosemarie: “Don’t forget to enjoy the journey that you are embarking on, for the process is just as important as the destination.”
As the director of Linear Abacus®, a mathematics education company which I started from the ground up, this wisdom has been invaluable.
Building a business requires immense dedication, perseverance, and making difficult sacrifices. It’s easy to become overly consumed by the myriad demands of running a business. So, when I think of these words it reminds me to pause, take a breath, and savour the experiences along this path and remember why I started this journey in the first place: to help children learn mathematics with meaning, and develop their knowledge and confidence to have greater opportunities in life. Witnessing the positive impact of our work, like students thriving with our resources or grasping new concepts with beaming excitement, I know that all the hardships and efforts were worthwhile. It’s these moments of enlightenment for students that make this endeavour truly rewarding.
So, remember to look up from the grind periodically and enjoy the journey you’ve embarked on, for this is what makes your pursuit meaningful and fulfilling.
The post Expert opinion: The best career advice you’ve ever received? appeared first on The Big Smoke.