5. Expand your network. Not that I don’t think that your college buddies are smart or competent and would make for great business partners. But I also believe that a diverse team, with multiple points of view and levels of experience is great for business. And what a better way to find a business partner than through working with someone and finding out if they bring out the best in you—or the worst?
6. Establish relationships with suppliers. Similar to meeting colleagues who could be good business partners, working within an organization is a great opportunity to kick the tires of suppliers. I’ve made it a habit to stay in touch with the ones who deliver high quality in a timely manner (with a smile) and at competitive prices.
7. Try before you buy. As an employee, getting regular income, you have less financial pressure. That’s why you can expose yourself to a few industries and roles before locking yourself into a business or industry. Trying several roles is a great way to learn more about what you enjoy, what’s important to you and what you’re great at—before you risk your own capital in a venture.
8. Get ideas. I’m not advocating that you snatch ideas from your employer, but I do suggest that you keep your eyes open. It’s quite common for employees to spot something their employer needs, be it a service or a product, and then turn around and make them their first client. Be open to possibilities, I say.
9. Learn some tricks. As someone in your twenties, the likelihood is that in your first few jobs you’ll be among the youngest one in the team. Although I do not believe in idealizing people or in giving credit based on seniority, I do believe that as a rookie, you stand to learn from those who have been around the block a few times. I’ve personally found that whenever I’ve shown respect to my older colleagues, that they have been forthcoming with their tricks of the trade. It’s then been a matter of keeping what works and ignoring the rest—respectfully please!
10. Learn what NOT to do. Just as an employer does things right—after all they are making enough money to pay your salary—they also have room for improvement. Learn from their weakest links. But do me a favor—do not dwell on their mistakes. There’s nothing more short-sighted than an employee who focuses on what their employer does wrong. Learn as much as you possibly can from your employer—the good and the bad.
11. Save, save, save. An almost guaranteed paycheck is one of the perks about working as an employee. The trick then is to keep your eye on the ball and save as much of your salary as you possibly can. Granted, wearing designer clothes and owning the latest model toys is a lot of fun, but neither one grows your seed capital for a future business.
I’m not trying to be a party pooper by suggesting that you go about being an employee in a deliberate way. Rather, I believe in making the party work for you (and me) and not the other way around.
By Silvana Avinami for Damsels in Success
