Lessons Learned in My Career Jim Borchers BYU- Idaho Business Summit March 27, 2003

Career Overview n Prior to Mission - KBCI -TV Asst. Producer n After Mission - Mobile Home Manufacturer; Freight Company Dock Work n Media / Photography Company n Marketing / Consulting n Idaho Dept. of Commerce n Blue Cross Of Idaho n Xerox Corporation

What do I do? n Find and Identify Business Problems n Act as a Business Problem Solver - “Consultant” n Call on “C” Levels - CEO, CFO, CIO, CTO, CMO n Present to Senior Management Teams n Manage teams of professionals in IT, Information Management, Document Management fields n Develop “solutions” made up of software, hardware, and services

Prior to Mission n Prepare to Serve n Prepare Financially n Work Full Time n Go to school n Prepare Spiritually – Institute – Ward Mission Splits

Lesson #1 - Serve a Mission! n Lesson Learned - “There was no penalty for serving an honorable mission.” – Better Prepared to Study – More Mature – Mission Habits Last a Lifetime

Lesson #2 n Do not delay getting your education – Get into school as soon as you can after your mission – It will never be easier than it is now – Get as much education as you can – Try to work as you go to school - try get experience as you learn – Serve in the church

Lesson #3 n No one is more interested in your future than you. – You are the steward of your future – Find others that are interested in you - your family, friends, business leaders

Lesson #4 n Set your standards and live them – There is no reward in compromising your standards to “get ahead” - you won’t in the long run – Honesty and hard work pay off but... – Life is not fair. We knew that when we came here. Sometimes others with other standards do win - in the short term.

Lesson #5 n Be financially conservative. – Do not live above your means – Pay your tithing – Save - you will be old someday – Do not try to keep up with anyone - there will always be those who have less and those who have more

Lesson #6 n Take the “Men in Black” approach - – Stick your neck out - sometimes it might sting but it will grow back! – Stretch to see what you really can do – Try things both in and out of your career path – Not everyone will be “entrepreneur of the year”

Lesson #7 n Never burn a bridge – You may end up working for that person – You may need that connection again n Always build bridges – Meet those who have done what you want to do

Lesson #8 n Timing Plays a Larger Role Than You Might Think – Be prepared when the time comes! – Sometimes timing is on your side - sometimes it is not.

Lesson #9 n Real freedom is having choices – The more options you have the easier it is to move when and if you need to – Prepare for the next step (job) – Never stop learning

Lesson #10 n Know yourself – After a while you get to know what you really enjoy doing – Even if you find a job you enjoy there will be things you don’t enjoy – The grass is not always greener on the other side – If you don’t enjoy your work - change you or find a new job

Practical Lessons n Understand Money and Finances – Learn about the market – Invest do not speculate – There is no free lunch n Talk to your customers – it is the only way no know what they really think n Be Leader not a Manager – set an example – set the standard n Don’t try to go it alone – Two or three heads give you more ideas – We are people first then employees

Other Thoughts n Give back to the community n People will work miracles if they think they will be successful n “Your next success is only on the other side of fear.” Remember the death-o-meter! n Learn how to find your cheese - regardless of where it goes n “It does not matter what you do as long as you do it well and are worthy of a temple recommend”

Remember who you are! Q & A Jim Borchers Manager, Advanced Solutions Xerox Global Services