Hi, its that time of year when I feel like giving back. I've been in the game for 18 years, both US and UK. Sales, IB, Quant, even did a stint at an FO. So I'm running a Q&A for the next 3 weeks, ask whatever you'd like.
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If you had to do it all over again, what would you have done differently?
I try to not think about that, cause its not a productive question. Life can only be lived in one direction.
But to answer your questions, I would have taken more risks earlier, learnt how to sell, persuade and network sooner, I would have set big goals earlier, I would have been more strategic.
All of which is hard when you're younger, cause you are just living day to day.
Really appreciate the insight here, as well as the AMA.
Could you expand on the risks you would have taken and what you would've learned about selling/networking? It would be very helpful to have a more concrete understanding of risky opportunities you may have passed up, and the specific sales and networking related soft skills you wished you had honed earlier on. Much appreciated!
Risks I would have taken: 1. I would have invested in my own skills more, rather than just doing my job. But plan how to get better every month. 2. I would have looked at the faster growing parts of the firm, and moved there faster and the same geographically. 3. I would have thought more on the extra work I can do, the deals I can bring in, the opportunities I can create for the team.
In terms sales and networking, here's my view: 1. People seem to think that selling is bad, and it can be depending on how its done. But I think everyone should know that they are in sales. We all have to sell other people on our ideas and view points. So I'd embrace that and get better at it. 2. Presenting, persuasion and sales is critical to working with humans. More and more jobs will be automated, but convincing and persuading humans is harder, because humans aren't rationale creatures that just look at facts, so human relationships is a simple place to build a moat around your life from the tech onslaught. 3. The biggest idea in sales and networking is this: what can you do for the other person. How can you add value. Make it all about them.
Any advice for someone in their late 20's who's been "in the game" for 6 years or so now? 3 years as an analyst at a BB, just made AVP in private equity... I'm happy where I currently am but sometimes worry I am becoming "comfortable" and I wonder if I shouldn't be taking more risks. I am an immigrant and am making 10x what the average adult in my family back home makes, so in my mind that's a huge barrier to trying something else. I do enjoy the work, mostly because it's challenging and because I get a little high just thinking about how well off I am compared to 10 years ago.