Empowering Mid-Senior Managers: Career Transition Expertise from a Former Industry Executive
Editor’s Note: SRTully & Associates is a boutique consultancy lead by its principal and founder, Steve Tully. Steve enjoyed a long career in the action sports world having served in senior leadership roles for the Raisin’s, Roxy, Quiksilver, Vix, and Neff Headwear brands. Today we feature a Q&A with Steve to explore how he serves mid-to senior-level managers as they navigate their professional careers.
Q: Give us a little background on how you got started in your professional coaching practice and why you chose to focus on this niche?
After retiring from full-time work about a year ago, I recognized that I still had a strong desire to remain engaged professionally. With my newfound free time, I naturally found myself offering guidance and support to my adult children, friends, and former colleagues within the consumer products and action sports industry as they went through various career transitions. As I continued to assist them, it became evident that this particular area of coaching was underserved in the market. Motivated by this realization, and by the current state of the action sports marketplace, I made the decision in January of this year to formally redirect my consultancy towards helping individuals navigate their professional careers, focusing specifically on the action sports and consumer products niche.
Q: Share with us some specifics on how you help your clients.
When advising my clients, I start by focusing on the essential building blocks of their career journey. This includes refining their LinkedIn profile, resume, cover letters, and, most importantly, crafting a compelling elevator pitch. I’ve found that having a clear and concise elevator pitch is crucial, as it enables friends, relatives, and colleagues to better assist them in their career pursuits.
For instance, I share my own elevator pitch as an example: ‘I specialize in helping mid-to senior-level managers navigate career changes, transitions, and new roles.’ This succinctly conveys my expertise and target audience.
Beyond these foundational elements, I provide guidance on various aspects of professional development. This includes coaching on effective interviewing techniques, honing communication skills, and mastering salary and compensation negotiations. I also offer insights into benefits negotiations and other related topics. I also advise my clients on how to manage their expectations and to properly interact with professional recruiters.
My ultimate aim is to equip my clients with the tools and strategies needed to confidently pursue their career goals, whether it involves making a smooth transition to a new role, seeking advancement within their current organization, or exploring new opportunities in the dynamic consumer products and action sports industry.
Q: You’ve mentioned that you also advise your clients after they’ve landed a new role. Tell us about this part of your practice.
Supporting clients during their transition into a new company is a critical aspect of my practice. Starting a new role can evoke feelings of anxiety and uncertainty as individuals aim to make a positive impression while avoiding hasty decisions. It’s essential to identify who is supportive within the organization and who might present challenges. Striking a balance between achieving early wins and avoiding potential missteps that could tarnish their reputation with the new employer is crucial.
During this initial 90-day journey, I guide my clients through specific steps designed to help them navigate this critical phase in their new role. By providing tailored advice and strategies, I help them build a solid foundation, establish productive relationships, and align their objectives with the company’s goals. Additionally, I offer valuable insights on how to effectively communicate with colleagues and superiors, identify opportunities for growth and contribution, and set realistic expectations for their early accomplishments.
Ultimately, my goal is to empower my clients to make a smooth and successful transition into their new position, fostering a confident and impactful presence within the organization from the outset.
Q: What’s the one thing you would advise those who find themselves contemplating a job change?
If someone finds themselves contemplating a job change, my number one advice to them is to ‘Play Offense!’ This means taking proactive steps to prepare for the transition. Instead of waiting for opportunities to come their way, I encourage them to invest in themselves and be proactive in their job search.
The key is to get ready and stay prepared. This involves dedicating time each day to research potential career paths, explore different opportunities, and actively network. Utilizing platforms like LinkedIn can be a game-changer, as it is a powerful tool that recruiters often turn to when seeking candidates for job openings.
By adopting this proactive mindset, individuals position themselves for success in their job search. They gain a competitive edge by staying ahead of the curve, showcasing their skills and experience, and demonstrating their eagerness to take on new challenges.
Ultimately, playing offense empowers individuals to take control of their career journey and opens a world of possibilities, leading to more fulfilling and rewarding professional opportunities.
Contact Steve via LinkedIn or learn more at srtully.com.