My week in Ohio--reflections...

One of my favorite parts about life is how un-expected it is. I know that the more you are forced out of your comfort zone, the more you progress.

When it comes to business, I have always been on the outside looking in. How do large, successful companies make their money? What are the strategies they implement to succeed? This week I had the opportunity to closely interact with the executives of a highly successful business. I gained so much knowledge from my short encounter with these talented and very experienced people. Things like how to make a business function properly and with efficiency was never something I thought to be able to experience first hand. In retrospect I see how God has abundantly blessed me. He has blessed me not only with opportunities to travel, receive an education and come to know myself, but now with a great job. I'm excited that this is a job that stretches me, allows for me to think outside the box, help others, problem solve,  teach, and most importantly, be taught. I'm fortunate to have this chance to continue to learn and come to know myself more and more each day. 

Casey in action...

So there you have it. I took a new job at Vivint as a corporate trainer. As a corporate trainer, I have the responsibility to specifically train newly acquired Channel Partners. Although I didn't get a degree in business (and I have MUCH to learn), a large part of my job will be spent in a teaching capacity. I couldn't be more thrilled!  Last week I jumped right in, and spent 6 days at a training in Akron, Ohio. (Yes, that’s right, home of Lebron James and the Christmas story house...)  The training was with our newest Channel Partner.  

A great place to visit with amazing people to work with

             

           Vivint Sales team!  Me on the left and Casey the other channel partner trainer on the right 

Take-aways from my week in Ohio:

 (random & in no particular order…)

• If a trainer is passionate and energetic, they can easily influence others
• You cannot give knowledge, knowledge is only gained if the teacher has enough belief to spark the desire to gain that knowledge in the student. That knowledge is then gained through personal experience
• Leadership requires preparation, flexibility & humility
• A leader is able and willing to adapt to meet the needs of the trainees
• In order to be effective at anything, you need to be in the proper state. If you’re not in the right state, simply change it. Change your state by changing your physiology. Only then, can you move beyond settling for mediocrity. (Tony Robbins)  

• A key to leading others lies in constant high affirmation
• Always celebrate others’ successes
• People need to be given immediate feedback
• 3:1 principle -start with 3 celebrations then move to the helpful hint
•  Sales is about effective communication
• People buy from who they like and trust
• Discover their need + your product = sale.
• Helping facilitate enough discussion that the product virtually sells itself
• Cannot be ego-driven, must be skill-driven

    A few Extras

   To be frank, there isn't a whole lot to see in Cleveland, but we did make it to the "must-see's"... 

1. The home of Lebron James 

2. The house from A Christmas Story

THE leg lamp. 

3. The Melt bar & Grilled

 Apparently this restaurant was on Man vs. Food a few years back ( disclaimer: I did NOT do the Melt Challenge.)

check this out though haha pretty repulsive...