Some rules don't change in the rhythm of business or being a professor at Tufts!

-A semester is 13 weeks long. 
-Minus 2 exams results in 11 weeks of content. 
-Experts like David Meerman Scott shown here.
-I teach working with 6 projects from real companies.
-40% of the grade comes from the company VPs.
-Every semester ends with "The 3 Rules of Jack"

This semester I just added a 4th Rule following my own rule of breaking some rules!

Rule #1: Always stay connected!

This rule is actually about being much more than just "being connected".  To connect is easy: you can talk to someone, add them to your LI or Instagram or see them occasionally at work or in the classroom.  Rule #1 is about being actively connected by phone, on social, and with an occasional F2F.  These are those individuals that you connect with for their guidance or to just ask questions of since you're comfortable with being able "to just connect" since you respect their experience, and you want their advice. That same relationship applies to those individuals connecting with you at any time for guidance, advice and for other connections that you may know.  Always Stay Connected is Rule #1.

Rule #2: Always push to learn more!

60+% of my marketing and sales students go on to get advanced degrees-typically MBAs, 5%-8% law degrees, 3-5% as docs or dentists, and many others obtain advanced degrees in various realms of research.  But this rule is more general and does not necessarily focus on an advanced degree although I do push on that a lot. This rule is about being a constant reader or signing up for a professional class in cooking or carpentry or money management...whatever it is that keeps one's mind actively engaged.  Not only does it make for a more interesting person and relationship, but there's lots of science here that clearly states that the very process of continuing education extends a healthy life.  Continuous learning is Rule #2.

New Rule #3: Always Pay Back!

My classes focus on detailed content, building new processes and tech applications with a strong focus on discipline and metrics.  They require considerable 2X-3X team time every week outside the classroom. The payback that I provide in addition to the grades are life lessons and the ability to kick open lots of doors which lead to solid jobs in Sales & Marketing. Always being available is my own payback to my students for their hard work!

Similarly, this new rule strongly recommends to my students to do something as a volunteer to pay back to their community or their specific advocacy to make a difference in the lives of others while gaining different perspectives for their own lives  Where work may have a singular focus every month and every year, being an actively engaged volunteer and personally giving back to that cause opens up a much wider horizon with very different perspectives and connections than just the actual work.   Active engagement as a volunteer in any community is my new Rule #3. 

Rule #4:  Break Some Rules 

This rule applies to breaking out of the norm and the "Expected-to-Do". There's no better time to do this than between the ages of 22-30 before kids, mortgages, and promotions. In my own case, it was the Peace Corps teaching in Northern Tanzania at Kilimanjaro.  One of my very bright and most engaging alums, interning in a Tufts alum's highly respected Boston PE firm, decided to quit and then spent two years as a school guidance counselor in a tiny remote Alaskan fishing village before applying to grad school.  Arthur, another alum, traveled the world for 3 years earning money as a video blogger before starting his custom van company in Brooklyn.  Another was a Miss America finalist and is now a commercial organic farmer supporting her family and focused on giving back to her community.  And Nick quickly left his first job in corporate America to move into becoming a national celebrity as Farmer Nick.  Plus a few hundred other very entertaining examples. 

So, break some rules ...just not the big ones!

Just a minute to wish a very heartfelt warm and wonderful Happy Thanksgiving to you and to your families and friends!  I'm always extremely focused on my work and teaching since I love what I do, but I also understand that family comes first, and there's no better time of year than this week to make that the priority! 

Also, since we now are looking at the final 16 real selling days of the year, this Friday's a great time to take an hour out and run through your sales playbook of what those final 16 days should look like.

Enjoy the holiday, and please be safe!

-Sales-Marketing Productivity
-Tactical Business Planning
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Professor of the Practice
Derby Entrepreneurship Center@Tufts
Call me:  617-504-4222