Chad Wiesner
Having recently become self-employed as a sales and marketing advisor, I have learned how easy it was to take a steady salary for granted. After 17 years working in the corporate world, a regular income with benefits was definitely earned but, I admit, sometimes taken for granted. Now don’t get me wrong, I have always counted myself among the lucky ones to have worked for companies that have enabled me to develop my career and grow professionally. I’ve learned a lot about how businesses work and the types of people it takes to make them successful. For that education, I am very grateful.
As an entrepreneur, taking the risk to be self-sufficient and starting something new is, I believe, a commendable career path. I think many people today have either lost sight of, or just don’t have an appreciation for, the contribution that entrepreneurs of all types have made to our province and our country. They are the backbone of our economy.
So, I must say that I was amused (and somewhat bewildered) to hear about a recent poll conducted among university students. The poll revealed that the majority of students graduating expected to make at least $42,000 per year at their very first job, and within five years, expected to be in the $70,000 per year range. Those surveyed also expected to be promoted within a year and a half of accepting their first position. Most polled felt justified in their ambitious expectations as they feel they are entitled to the best jobs by virtue of the education costs they have incurred. Sure, it’s great that these students are so ambitious, and no doubt they are well-educated. However, it does concern me that the majority feel entitled to rapid and lucrative advancement without feeling the need to gain more than a few years experience in the workforce. It also sends a message that many believe they can simply buy their way (via degrees) to success. Education provides a critical foundation upon which one’s career is built, but it’s worrisome that so many graduates feel a sense of career entitlement based on that alone.
So, what does this mean really? I think we need to question whether we are doing enough in our school and university systems to cultivate the skills and mindset required to cultivate a new generation of creative entrepreneurs. In Nova Scotia, and the Maritimes in general, students hear over and over that our huge public debt and high taxes are reason enough for them to cut bait and head West. Our educators need to remind students that creativity comes from within and the education you gain, coupled with ambition to build a career here at home, can make a huge difference to our economy and our future.
So, to all those graduating students this month: forget your entitlements, take nothing for granted and get out there and start something new! You won’t regret it.
Chad Wiesner
Chad has over 17 years of marketing and sales leadership experience with corporate management roles spanning the international export, credit information, manufacturing and telecommunications industries. A collaborative entrepreneur by nature, Chad has successfully developed and executed strategic marketing plans pertaining to branding, communications, product development and sales for both small and large companies. His “real world” business acumen has taken him from the boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies to the docks of multi-national seafood companies. With an eye for detail, Chad has crafted meaningful marketing strategies and communications plans that encompass the essence of the company and the customers it serves.
In a recent conversation with a colleague of mine who owns a small business, he lamented the catch 22 situation of wanting to increase sales and his company’s market share while keeping overhead under control. Bottom line for him was adding a salesperson to pound the streets, or a telesales rep to “dial for dollars”, seemed the safest route to go. The problem is, he noted, there just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day for him to help those salespeople develop a thoughtful sales strategy, let alone craft a comprehensive marketing strategy to guide the company beyond the next Quarter. Keeping customers satisfied, employees paid and servicing the company’s debt were his priorities. For owners of small businesses and start-ups in particular, this is a very common scenario.