347: Focus On The Value That You Can Deliver with Marcus Olson

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Marcus Olson, who discovered his love of technology by disassembling and reassembling computers salvaged from a shuttered Black & Decker office. He also taught himself Basic so that he could create his own, simple text-based games.

He is now the CEO and Founder of Pliancy, a technology-enabled professional services company that helps growing start-ups scale their corporate IT.

Marcus talks about why we should always focus upon the driving value behind the companies we work for. He also discusses the value of being prepared and showing up entirely, so that opportunities can be taken.

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

 

TOP CAREER TIP

Focus on what the value is that you drive for the companies in which you work. Often, people fall into the trap of loving their product because they love it for themselves instead of identifying the need it can serve.

 

WORST CAREER MOMENT

Marcus took a job at the government that paid okay, but the prospects were dull, and it did not allow him to follow the pursuits that interested him.

 

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

After leaving a company, many of Marcus’ clients followed him, who advised him to begin his own consulting firm, which was the ignition beneath his second chapter in life.

 

THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T

The IT departments are slowly driving the success of companies in general, and so are slowly becoming more and more integral to conversations about growth and direction.

 

THE REVEAL

What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? – After receiving a computer as a gift, Marcus realized the potential of taking something apart and putting it together again.

What’s the best career advice you received? – Be authentic.

What’s the worst career advice you received? – Don’t take risks!

What would you do if you started your career now? – Figure out how to get a job at a technical organization a lot earlier.

What are your current career objectives? – Focusing on the progression of others.

What’s your number one non-technical skill? – Communication.

How do you keep your own career energized? – Keep being uncomfortable and putting yourself out there

What do you do away from technology? – Spending time with dogs, architecture, design, art and other creative outlets.

 

FINAL CAREER TIP

If you show up with your whole self and you’re passionate about what you do, then opportunities will present themselves and you’ll be in great shape to take advantage.

 

BEST MOMENTS

 

(8:27) – Marcus – “Ultimately, technology needs to serve a goal”

(15:06) – Marcus - “If you do what you love, the money will follow. If you do it long enough, more money will follow”

(20:07) – Marcus – “We’re seeing a shift, year over year, of the importance of the IT department in helping drive success for companies”

(26:02)– Marcus – “Do it for an exceptionally long time and be authentic while you’re doing it”

 

ABOUT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS

Phil Burgess is an independent IT consultant who has spent the last 20 years helping organizations to design, develop, and implement software solutions.  Phil has always had an interest in helping others to develop and advance their careers.  And in 2017 Phil started the I.T. Career Energizer podcast to try to help as many people as possible to learn from the career advice and experiences of those that have been, and still are, on that same