Your Name (optional):

Don Corbett 

Male/female:

Male  

City:

Unionville

State/Province:

Ontario 

Country:

Canada  

Industry:

Telecom

Company (Optional):

Contour Telecom Management

Job:

Senior Executive Sales 

Education:

BA University of Toronto, 23 years in sales,17 of which have been telecom and the other in health and fitness.  

Training/experience required (years, other jobs):

Always taking courses on sales, time management, technology and business.

Explain what you do:   

I seek out prospective clients ( usually Fortune 500) that could benefit from our telecom management services.  I call on CIO, CFO level management and work with a company to establish a business case for "outsourcing" a major component of their telecom management.  

What kinds of things do you like about your career?

It is varied day to day.  The circumstances of each sale are different. I am constantly learning and being challenged beyond my comfort level. I can work from home and enjoy more time with my family and working out.  

Why should kids choose your career path?

Sales in general is always part of any job.  We all have to sell in some way or another Direct sales like I do, requires discipline, strong nerves, tenacity, research ability,

networking, PATIENCE, PATIENCE, PATIENCE and knowledge.  Before anyone

gets into high ticket sales, they need to get a strong education or background, in the field they chose.

What would you recommend career wise and how should kids approach/develop their preparation for a working life?  

Learn how to learn.  Learn to love to learn.  Get a post secondary education.  Work at varied jobs if you have no real direction.  Test the waters.  Be prepared to take a grunt

job.  Talk to people that you admire and try and shadow them.

Lessons learned: If you started all over again what would you do differently?  

Perhaps I would have spent some more time getting a higher learning degree such as an MBA or gone through for Law.  Again, It was hard to ignore the opportunity to work.  I did finish the last two years of my BA while I was working during the day.  This was hard.  I think I

did this for the financing.  I never took out a student loan and therefore, graduated debt free.  I probably would have followed a few passions such as acting and teaching if I were to go at it again.  My feeling is that there is still much time and I am always open to change.  

A favorite anecdote, phrase, or expression relating to business that inspires you:  

the ten most powerful two letter words: If it is to be, it is up to me.  

Other suggestions or relevant information you would communicate to kids regarding careers in general:  

Follow your heart.  Find your passion.  Be ethical, responsive and caring in all your business endeavors and "luck" will come your way.  Find yourself a MENTOR.