Posts from Ryan Long

Form follows function: In every room, ask, “Is the room functional? What is the best way to make this room work for ____?” I’ve been in many Vector offices where the room size, the posters on the walls, or the furniture set up wasn’t the best way to utilize the space. Often, managers give ...

First impressions Whether you like it or not, people judge based on first impressions. Your recruiting assistants work hard to get applicants scheduled. So make sure your receptionist area looks professional and legit. Go outside and walk in as if you are an applicant. What is the first thing an ...

It’s late spring and the smell of summer, sales reps, and CPO is in the air! For brand new managers, one of the first things you need to do is set up your office space so that you can start running interviews. If you’re like most young business owners, you’ve never put an office together at all. ...

Every year in the early spring, the Girl Scouts come out to peddle their little boxes of goodness … I mean, cookies. They stand in their uniforms outside of grocery stores at the tables and in wee voices ask, “Do you want some cookies?” And I always, always, always, say “NO.” What a mean lady! ...

Savings. Money. Future. Sometimes those are heavy words. As a management candidate, there are probably a lot of questions swirling through your mind. Money should be one of them. You keep hearing words like “start up” and “withholdings”. Why do Vector managers spend so much time talking about ...

Photo credit: Jonathan Van Matre Undies for a Good Cause “Why is she always in her underwear?” “Well, let me tell you …” Yep, that was a conversation about me between my roommate and a mutual friend. I later laughed and joked that I’m only in my underwear in public one day a year, for a good ...

1. Even though it’s a short-term gig, you’ll learn a lot: how to be a team player, how to help others, how to work with others, how to be self-aware. 2. Trophies matter in the moment, but not after they’ve gotten dusty on the shelf. 3. Most people don’t do it forever, don’t go to the pros, and ...

From an early age, I was taught that giving back to others is one of the greatest joys in life. My mother has always espoused that your life's work should have significant impact on the lives of others. It amazes me how giving back becomes contagious. One act of giving inspires others to do the ...

When you eat healthily, you feel better. Everyone knows this but not everyone follows it. With summer right around the corner, everyone starts to focus on eating healthily and working out to be ready for the summer. This is something that I've been focusing on as well. After eating healthily and ...