MacKenzie Gilmore is the 2012 Chair of the Metro EDGE Regional Action Committee. She was in the City Council Chambers during the March 6 meeting and shares below what it was like to be there.  

Last night I had the opportunity to be a part of a public forum that has the potential to help move our region forward. The Sacramento city council met to vote on moving forward with the next phase of an Entertainment and Sports Complex (ESC). I had never attended a meeting like this before and was surprised to hear that I should arrive around 4:30 for a 6:00 meeting. But when I arrived the lobby was already swimming with people, both for and against the proposal. A sea of white shirts with “5 VOTES” printed on them, people in business suits with leather portfolios, and a woman behind me in tie dye and Birkenstock’s. The excitement and tension in the room were palatable. Individuals filed out forms indicating their desire to speak, and people waited patiently as the line steadily grew out the door and down the street. As the time drew closer Kevin Johnson appeared, thanking the crowd for their participation and shaking hands (including mine!). Finally we moved thru security and into the room.

First up was a presentation from City Manager John Shirey walking us thru the term sheet, a working outline of how the partners, the City of Sacramento, the Kings, and AEG Facilities, would work together for design, cost sharing, revenue participation, and a host of other topics.

Next came the opportunity for public comment. Those against the proposal discussed the fundamental objection to using public funds, belief that we should focus exclusively on being the State Capitol, and a desire to put the matter to a public vote.

The people who came to speak in favor of the measure were staggering. The vice mayor of Rancho Cordova came with a resolution from her city council asking for support of the measure. Metro Chamber chair Stan Van Vleck asks the members to “take a risk”. Legendary announcer Lee Perkins (Kevin Johnson was taken aback when he came forward) said we need to do this to “see the twinkle is kid’s eyes at events”. Scott Vandenberg, general manager of the Hyatt Regency discussed the power of drawing in convention business, Mike Ault from the Downtown Sacramento Partnership spoke of the ability to create more connection within the region, and Mike Testa from the Sacramento Convention and Visitor’s Bureau considers this a “transformational project (that will) enhance the city’s identity”.

Others suggested we can strive to be “more than just a city in between San Francisco and Lake Tahoe”. The president of the Stagehand’s Union asked that we consider the creation of jobs. One fan was wearing a classic Kevin Johnson Phoenix Sun’s jersey .  One put on a hard hat and broke into singing “We can Build This Dream Together”. 

Our Metro Edge Chair, Sean O’Brien said the new facility would be “a catalyst for change” and reminded them that “in 5, 10, 15 years, we will be the leaders of the region…We can’t afford to lose young professionals to other cities.”

At this point it’s pushing 9 PM. Nor council members are asking clarifying questions on the term sheet and their final statements. Although each member starts off my saying they will be brief, none speaks for less than 10 minutes.  Finally, just after 10 PM, it came time to cast the votes. The tension in the room rose dramatically, despite the late hour. Council Member Rob Fong made the motion to vote and one by one the City Clerk called the members’ names and the votes were cast. Angelique Ashby, “Yes” Sandy Sheedy , “No”.  Steve Cohn, “Yes”. Rob Fong, “Yes”. Jay Schenirer, “Yes”. Kevin McCarty, “No”.  Darrell Fong, “Yes”. Bonnie Pannell, “Yes”. All eyes are on Kevin Johnson as his name is called, he leans  back in his chair and called out “YES!” and the room erupted. Mostly in cheers.

This is a step forward – not a binding agreement. But as an EDGEr I was so proud to be a part of the process to determine the destiny of our region.

If you’re interested in joining the Metro EDGE Regional Action Committee, email MacKenzie here!

Elise Crispen, who by day works for Sacramento’s own 3fold Communications, is member of Metro EDGE’s events and networking committee. She recently wrote a blog for 3fold about her experience as a young professional and they’re letting us “borrow” it for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!

Having recently embarked on my professional career, I must say work life is very little of what I expected – in a positive way. Landing the job I had always envisioned was exhilarating, but I have to say my preconceived expectations of the cut-throat business world would keep me awake at night.

I soon realized though, the dog-eat-dog environment I was expected to reluctantly assimilate into is actually a lifestyle choice and not the only way to make a successful living. Don’t get me wrong, as a former NCAA Division I athlete, competitive spirit runs through my veins and “better, faster, stronger” is always the mantra, but an intense corporate culture is not a universal standard. It is possible to feed off the energy of your co-workers, to support and be supported, and to foster the healthy optimism essential to happiness and productivity. Phew! Huge relief!

Aristotle had it right when he said “the more you know, the more you know you don’t know” and this became apparent rather quickly. There is a confidence and momentum that comes from mastering college — academically, socially and athletically — and this energy and drive you feel as a college student ready to graduate and take the world by storm, can be hard to uphold in the next stage of professional life.

Our imaginations and passions to succeed have been cultivated for years by inspiring professors, other ambitious students and supportive parents who themselves make climbing the corporate ladder look easy (if this doesn’t sound like you in your college years, it’s okay, it’s a millennial thing).

But the reality is the workforce, or “real world,” is a different breed of motivation, knowledge and experience. You realize you’ve barely scratched the surface of what it means to be well-informed and ultimately your academic experience and accomplishments are overshadowed by the portfolios and brain-trusts of your professional co-workers. The reality of being a rookie in the workforce is a very humbling experience.

But, amongst feeling new and inferior, don’t let yourself fade into the background. Use this opportunity to remember as a young professional, we are far from unnecessary or useless in the work place. We are self-expressive and very well-connected (most likely due to growing alongside our social media culture). We believe there must be a solution to every challenge and with some direction we will self-start and use our resources to find the answer. We are eager to learn and not afraid to ask questions when we don’t understand. We are technologically savvy and justifiably skeptical. We bring a fresh perspective, a clean slate and an enthusiastic attitude — we get after it. We may not know it all, but we catch on quickly. Besides, we live in a digital world where nearly every answer can be found at a touch, swipe or click.

Each young professional’s experience varies, but the thing we can all agree upon is the future of professionalism currently lies in the hands of myself and millions of others like me. Keep an eye out for our growing presence and influence because, ready or not, we are here.

2012 is off to a great start!  We hope you enjoyed yourself at our first In The Mix of the New Year.  With over 120+ YP’s in attendance we packed the house and sold out our first mixer of 2012!  A big thank you to The Porch Restaurant and Bar for hosting our group and providing the tasty southern treats.  Were you able to talk to the life coach about setting (and accomplishing) goals for the upcoming year?  Did you pick up some skin care and healthy eating tips too?  Did we convince you why Metro EDGE is the best place for Young Professionals to be?  We hope so!  From all of us on the Events & Networking Committee…  May 2012 be your most prosperous, successful, and empowering year yet!

At Metro EDGE, we know true mentors are hard to come by these days and that our members are eager to learn what it takes to be successful. Words of Wisdom is a new series featuring some of Sacramento’s brightest CEOs, executives and leaders sharing their advice with the region’s young professionals. Flip your brain over to sponge mode and soak this up.

Roger Niello
CEO, Sacramento Metro Chamber
RNiello@metrochamber.org 

What are some things you wish you’d known as you embarked on your career:

1.  In hiring, try to find people better than you.

2.  As a manager the best way to implement an idea is to identify a champion and get him/her to believe your idea is theirs.

3.  The most effective debater is one who understands the opposing position as well as the opposition.

Did you have a mentor? If so, what was the most important piece of advice they gave you?

1. In business, my Father.  Particularly valuable advice was: 1) Work harder than anyone else.  2) Treat people fairly.  You may be able to take advantage of someone, but probably only one time and at the expense of all future business.  3)  Assume is spelled ass u & me: if you assume, you make an ass out of you and me.

2. In politics, Dave Cox.  He always had lots of good advice, but probably the best was that you just have to show up!

How did/do you handle work/life balance?

I try not to bring work frustrations home and I find exercise to be a good diversion from pressures.

Do you have any suggestions of books, articles, websites, etc. that might help a young professional?

Biographies of great people give valuable insights into success.  I also read the Wall Street Journal and The Sacramento Bee, particularly the editorials so that I regularly get opinions from the right and the left.  Two great periodicals are The Economist and The Harvard Business Review.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell the 40 and under business professionals in our region?

You will likely have more than one career so always keep your options open and your eyes open for new opportunities.

Kelly Brothers, Partner and Financial Advisor with Genovese Burford & Brothers, sat down with Metro EDGE during the latest EDGEucational Forum to chat about financial planning for young professionals. The biggest takeaway? Just get started! “Do it yourself or, if you’re not comfortable, work with an advisor to make sure you’re doing it right,” said Brothers.

In this video clip he tells the group of what he likes to call “The Starbucks’ Savings Plan.” :: Kelly Brothers :: The Starbuck’s Savings Plan

Other financial planning tips from the presentation/round table discussion included:

1. You have to take charge of your retirement. No one is going to do it for you.

2. When picking a 401(k) plan, diversification is the key :: “Don’t bet it all on red.”

3. Target-date (age-specific) funds are a good option.

4. With your 401(k), always match the employer match – make it a habit.

5. Morningstar is a great resource for research.

Brothers stressed taking action … not letting your retirement planning wait for another day or another person to think about. There is no one-size-fits-all solution either. There are many options for retirement and you can customize based on your unique situation. With a little legwork, you can get ahead of the game and gain perhaps the most precious commodity of all … a little peace of mind.

2011 Executive Insight event was simply amazing! We’ve heard from many attendees about the value of the advice they got from the speakers. One of the executives in our incredible line-up, Becky Johnson, Director of Public Affairs for Siemens, shares what she told attendees in the guest blog post below.

I had an absolute blast chatting with many EDGErs at the Executive Insight event. It was an honor to be among such an esteemed group of leaders.

Those with whom I met personally received a handout I hastily put together in a jet-lagged haze, and here are some of the highlights from that piece – as well as a few other nuggets that may enlighten you.

1. Be brilliant on the basics, and stand out for the right reasons

Be on time and be prepared. Plan your schedule backwards, and always add extra time for traffic and parking.

Review the agenda and associated materials in advance and raise any questions ahead of time to make the most of your meeting time – as well as to avoid surprises.

When running a meeting, have a distinct purpose and well-defined agenda with clearly articulated goals. If it’s simply a routine recitation of what everyone is doing, have each person update his / her projects on a shared site.

If you want to stop for coffee but aren’t confident that there’s enough time, keep on moving. It’s better to show up on time and under-caffeinated than to send the message that your triple shot espresso was more important than your meeting.

Speaking of caffeine, I’ve noticed the ubiquity of energy drinks. It may sound nitpicky or odd, but be aware of the image you’re conveying by having one of these cans in a meeting. Consider drinking something more mainstream, or if you’re hooked on the stuff, pour it into a different container, like a coffee mug.

This can be so hard to do, but it’s so critical. Put the mobile device away. Be present in your conversations, and be a good audience member, without the distraction of your phone or tablet.  I have been guilty of this in the past, and it was when I started giving presentations on regular basis that I realized how much people are distracted by technology.

Most of all keep in mind that you’re not expected to know everything. Asking questions or for clarification is not a sign of weakness.

2. Look the part

Invest in the best quality that you can afford.

Ignore what the size label says inside a garment, and buy the garment that fits well, then tailor down if needed. If you’re tugging or pulling at your clothing, then you’re wearing the wrong size or the wrong style for your body type.

To make your machine washable clothing last longer, avoid using the dryer. It is your enemy. Drip dry, and invest in a garment steamer (more gentle than an iron).

If you think you can get one more wear out of a garment that needs to be cleaned or repaired, the odds are you can’t. Wear something else.

3. Asking for referrals or a “pick your brain” meeting

Having been a person looking for work and with a mortgage to pay, I empathize with the challenge and frustration with playing the waiting game. I know how important it can be to have a foot in the door.

Be clear on what you’re asking so you make the most of others’ time.

I can’t count how many times someone has asked me, “Do you have any job openings?” Invariably, I will ask what type of work, and the response is, “I don’t know – anything.” As much as I care about that person and wish the best for his or her success, I can’t read minds, nor do I have the time to research the person’s career history, education, and interests. A good approach is to check out an employer’s website, make a note of the positions that interest you, then ask your contact if he or she has any tips.

If you’re referring a friend to someone you know in that friend’s desired company, ask that person first if it’s OK for you to refer your friend.

When asking for an informational meeting, consider visiting that person at work, or propose an early morning coffee or breakfast. It’s often impossible to get away for lunch, and evenings are often occupied with civic activities, family time, or business travel.

4. Find what works for you

What works for some may not work for you, and you likely don’t agree with all (or perhaps even most) of what I’ve outlined. This is based on my own trial-and-error experience and observations.

I am more productive having learned how to mind map.

The Harvard Business Review publication and website are of most value to me to learn more ideas.

Using a professional stylist has saved me time and money, as I only buy now what I know looks and feels good. I use the services of both The Stylist Online and Stephanie Cumberland.

This video has been around for a while, but I only recently discovered it. It speaks to me. You may not agree with each of the concepts presented, but I’m confident you’ll get at least one good tip. (Note: There is one fleeting moment of not-suitable-for-work material, as there are two profane words in a movie clip within the video short just past the two minute mark, so use your headphones.)

As I summed up at the event, you’re of the generation that’s so interconnected, and you’ve been raised to have a strong sense of community. Those of us who are a few years (or decades) older than you can benefit from your knowledge, so let’s keep this conversation flowing and learn from each other!

At Metro EDGE, we know true mentors are hard to come by these days and that our members are eager to learn what it takes to be successful. Words of Wisdom is a new series featuring some of Sacramento’s brightest CEOs, executives and leaders sharing their advice with the region’s young professionals. Flip your brain over to sponge mode and soak this up.

Della Gilleran
Principal, Marketing by Design
della@mbdstudio.com
 

What are some things you wish you’d known as you embarked on your career:

These are things I find important. Naming them doesn’t mean I’ve mastered them!

1. [Don’t procrastinate.] Complete (each phase of) your work ahead of schedule. It allows time to incubate, revisit and improve it.

2. Pay attention to red flags (raised by your intuition).

3. Learn about business and money — from bookkeeping to financial statements. Keep your business and personal debt to a minimum, because it becomes an albatross and closes your mind to new options.

4. Remember this version of the Golden Rule. “Don’t do unto others as you would not have them do unto you.”

Did you have a mentor? If so, what was the most important piece of advice they gave you?

I did not have a mentor regarding my career. In life, my ‘mentor’ is my older sister. She mentors me by listening, and absolutely not by ‘giving advice’. Other mentors are individuals (friends, clients, vendors) who have shared issues and challenges they are facing. There are lessons and things to be grateful for everywhere!

How did/do you handle work/life balance?

Not well. Being self-employed, I have always felt compelled to say yes to as much work as I can manage with the resources (talent, bandwidth) that I have available. At each end of the pendulum swing is sleepless nights: a slower workload causes worry about the livelihood of people I care about, and a heavy workload causes worry about overloading staff and harnessing other resources to keep my agreements with clients. The sweet spot, of course, is the middle.

For any working mother/parent, it’s challenging to not feel like you’re doing several things poorly as you hear the ‘tapes’ in your head: “I should be doing XYZ with my kids.” “I should be doing XYZ with my spouse.” “I should be doing XYZ for my business and employees.”

To this day, I don’t relax well, but exercise, physical labor and time with my extended family at our cabin are wonderful ways to replenish.

Do you have any suggestions of books, articles, websites, etc. that might help a young professional?

Without a doubt, learning new things is important. Gaining competence in your field is critical. Gaining wisdom in your relationships with others is essential personal growth. The specifics of how you do that vary for each person by industry, time of life, and frame of mind. Reading magazines and books, learning by hearing and seeing (like field trips) and taking classes are all great options.

I like context for business information balanced with life ideas. A favorite book for life perspective is Kitchen Table Wisdom by Rachel Naomi Remen, who is an oncologist and a therapist. The book is a collection of short reflections about life — written by someone who is helping people face (the possibility or imminence) of death.

Though I am not Catholic or particularly religious, I appreciate the perspective, insights and simple ‘aha’ moments that land in my InBox from ignatianspirituality.com and values.com.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell the 40 and under business professionals in our region?

Everyone is on a path shaped by things you have control over, and things you don’t have control over. Life is a constant process of finding a balance: figuring out what’s working and what bothers you (because it feels like it’s not working); figuring out what you can’t affect (which then requires an attitude shift) and what you can affect (which requires useful action); figuring out what’s important to you in how you are in the world — as demonstrated by how you spend your time, treat others, and collect things (possessions, recognition).

Metro EDGE is made up of some pretty amazing people. Among our members we have those who run successful businesses, those who do amazing things for charities, and those who make climbing the corporate ladder look easy. What we all have in common is the desire to actively make Sacramento the best it can be. An empowered under 40 population is a great means to that end so we are asking our members to share their insights with their fellow Metro EDGErs though a new blog series. From how to make successful cold calls to what to (or not to!) wear to the office, over the next several weeks we will share the knowledge of our members to help make you, along with our fair city, the best you can be.
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When it comes to business and entrepreneurship, one can never underestimate the power of image.  The impeccable style sense of a man is able to boost a first impression during an interview, lend credibility to a sales pitch, and transform doubts of a venture capitalist into a sense of expectancy and excitement.  Given the importance of presentation, we should all seek to continually improve our appearance while doing business.

It’s all about the details

We must keep in mind that every minor detail is important to our presentation and can make a significant contribution toward the overall look.  Below, we will examine a few of the details involved in men’s fashion and the sartorial appearance.  With consideration of key style elements, we can make our image a success and avoid the haphazard approach to our wardrobe.

Fit

Perhaps the most important aspect of your presentation is the fit of your clothing.  The fit of garments will define the overall shape and silhouette of your body, and can flatter just as easily as it can damage.  Here are a few key elements of proper fit:

Jacket length – Should fall between the thumb joint and tip of thumb when arms are relaxed, depending on preference and body type.

Jacket sleeves – Should be cut at the break in the wrist, creating a clean definition to the hand.

Pant waist – Should be cut tapered enough to avoid the gathering of waistband when wearing a belt.  And never wear pants that are too tight in the waist.

Pant length – Should be cut with a moderate break at front hem (A ‘break’ is the subtle folding of the pant leg above your shoe, and allows the pant to relax at the knee, giving shape to the leg).  The slimness of pant will affect the length required to achieve a break.

Shirts – Should be cut tapered through the stomach.  Armholes should not be too deep.  A more fitted shirt will flatter the upper body proportions and hide wrinkles in fabric.

Styling

This is the fun part.  Garment styling is what will identify your individual sense of style and personality.  Examples of styling include: jacket lapel type and width, single-breasted vs. double-breasted jacket, two-button vs. three-button, jacket center vent vs. side vent, flat front pants vs. pleated pants, spread collar vs. pointed collar, etc.  Here are some general rules to styling that should be considered:

Wider and shorter body shapes – Avoid high jacket button closures.  Choose a two-button closure, which will reduce the stomach area and maximize the chest and shoulder proportions.  Also, opt for less of a break in the pant length and choose a generous flat-front pant to avoid the blossoming effect of pleats around your seat.  Shirt collars should generally feature a medium point length without too much spread.

Taller and slimmer body shapes – Most jacket button closures will work.  If possible, choose a cut of jacket that will give definition to shoulders and shape to the chest.  Maintain a break in the pant leg.

Accessories

How a man accessorizes his look will truly set him apart from the others.  Accessories give the extra pizzazz to make the outfit interesting and unique.  Consider an assortment of leather bags or briefcases to compliment your look.  Or perhaps consider a cordovan shoe to contrast the expected and subtle nature of the navy suit.  Maybe choose to wear an overcoat and scarf to protect your jacket from the rain while adding a sartorial complexity to your appearance.  If a wool hat does not fit your preference, try a stylish umbrella.  A lapel flower or pocket square could be the added detail that brings you attention.  It all comes to balance.  Make sure your accessories balance themselves, and don’t overdo it.

Maintenance

All garments should be pressed (or steamed) and free of wrinkles.  A good drycleaners will save you the time and hassle of ironing maintenance, but you should use caution in selecting your drycleaner.  They are not all created equal.  Suits should be dry-cleaned no more than 5-6 times per year.  The cleaning process is not completely healthy for the wool fibers.  Feel free to have your suits steam-pressed as often as you like.  This process will give your suits a fresh appearance without any potential damage to the garment, and is also less expensive than a cleaning.  Shirts should be laundered without the use of starch, which creates permanent wrinkles and interferes with the texture and drape of the cotton fabric.

A well-dressed man can approach any situation with improved confidence and resolve.  Not to mention, a compliment on appearance is a great start to a conversation.  Before you show up, be sure that you deserve the compliment.

Ryan Hammonds is a designer and consultant with R. Douglas Custom Clothier in Sacramento.

B Street is offering Metro EDGE members a special offer on their Saturday at 9pm Subscriptions! They have 5 shows left in our Mainstage season and Metro EDGE Members would be entitled to see all five on Saturdays at 9pm for the discounted rate of $50. The subscription would start with seeing 2009 Tony award winner, God of Carnage. Additionally, subscribers are entitled to the following perks: preferred seating, ability to re-schedule without a fee, personalized show reminders, and discounts on tickets for friends. All you have to do is mention your a Metro EDGE member! For Tickets, call (916) 443-5300.