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Shawn, President at EXCION Corporation dba Suite Answers That Work: Advize Career Interview
This interview with Shawn, President at EXCION Corporation, offers a compelling glimpse into the world of cloud-based business solutions.
From an accounting background and early exposure to IT at American Express, Shawn's career path showcases the power of combining seemingly disparate skills.
With a focus on team development, sales, and continuous learning about technology, Shawn's role involves everything from early morning client meetings to HR and billing.
The biggest challenge is sales, but the flexibility and constant evolution of the technology industry are major perks. Those who thrive are unafraid to ask questions and admit when they don't know the answer.
A key lesson learned is the humility of recognizing how much there is still to learn and embracing failure as a path to growth. Entry-level candidates can consider call center technician or business analyst roles.
Most impactful for Shawn was the teamwork emphasized at WP Carey, demonstrating the value of collaboration and contributing even without all the answers, a sentiment that surely benefits them as President at EXCION Corporation.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Shawn Eckert
President
EXCION Corporation dba Suite Answers That Work
Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey
Keller Graduate School Masters in Business Administration (MBA) - Finance & Masters Certificate Project Management (MCPM)
Accounting
Technology
Consulting
None Applicable
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Career Path Of A President At Suite Answers That Work
While studying accounting at Arizona State University, Shawn interned at American Express Companies, gaining early exposure to IT functions while helping manage corporate card systems; this experience led to a post-graduation role in their corporate audit department, where Shawn continued to work with technology, specifically around accounting and business systems, despite having an accounting background. Shawn eventually became an entrepreneur in the cloud-based space, noting that they are "on [their] second round of doing that."
Main Responsibilities of a President at Suite Answers That Work
As President of EXCION Corporation, Shawn focuses on team development through "mentoring" and improving their ability to manage projects and understand customer needs. In addition to guiding the team, Shawn, as a small company owner, is heavily involved in "sales" and business development, identifying new leads, converting them to customers, and creating initial project plans for the team to execute.
A Day In The Life Of A President At Suite Answers That Work
As President at EXCION Corporation, Shawn's day as a founder often begins with "early morning meetings" catering to East Coast clients due to the Arizona time difference, showcasing a dedication to customer support; later, the focus shifts towards "sales and business development activities, HR functions, [and] billing functions," revealing the diverse administrative responsibilities inherent in running a small business.
Most Important Skills For A President At Suite Answers That Work
Shawn, President at EXCION Corporation, emphasizes that "continuous learning about technology" is crucial, alongside practical business experience gained over time. Shawn notes clients respect Shawn and the team more because "we've done their job before in some capacity," highlighting the value of real-world business acumen in Shawn's line of work.
Favorite Parts Of Being A President At Suite Answers That Work
Shawn enjoys the flexibility afforded by leveraging technology like Zoom in client engagements, allowing for a better work-life balance. This role allows for work to be completed "throughout the day or various times" rather than adhering to a rigid traditional office schedule, which is advantageous.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A President At Suite Answers That Work
Shawn, President at EXCION Corporation, finds the most challenging part of the role to be sales, specifically the "process of cold calling or reaching out to people you don't know" due to a dislike of interruption, a feeling that is projected onto the sales aspect of the job. With a background in accounting and operations, putting oneself "into a sales mindset" requires stepping outside of a comfort zone.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Technology Industry As A President
Shawn at EXCION Corporation enjoys the evolution of technology in the industry, contrasting the past of installing software on individual computers with the current cloud-based environment where everything is "online all the time, always available", allowing for work "anytime, anywhere". Shawn's accounting foundation provides a unique perspective on how technological advancements have reshaped the industry.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Business Solutions, According To A President At Suite Answers That Work
Shawn from EXCION Corporation believes those who thrive in the industry are "not afraid to ask questions," specifically drilling down with multiple layers of "why" to understand the real reasons behind client requests. By being willing to ask questions and admit "sometimes I don't know the answer," one can visualize better solutions and create opportunities for clients to do things differently.
What a President at Suite Answers That Work Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Entrepreneurship Industry
Shawn learned that being an entrepreneur means "you do everything," from janitorial duties to accounting, especially when starting a business without external capital, requiring an immense level of commitment and wearing "a lot of hats" until the business grows enough to hire help. The most difficult element of the role is the need to "do a hundred percent of the work" without resources and support at the start.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Business Analysts
Shawn suggests that entry-level candidates should consider call center technician or business analyst roles at larger companies, or junior-level systems/business analyst positions at smaller organizations like EXCION Corporation, where "aptitude and attitude" are valued over existing skills. According to Shawn, the key is the "desire to learn" the soft skills required for client interaction, documentation, and facilitation.
Significant Career Lesson From A President At Suite Answers That Work
Shawn, President at EXCION Corporation, highlights the humbling yet crucial lesson that "I know a lot less than I think I do," emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and embracing failure as a stepping stone for improvement, advocating to "fail forward" to learn and grow. This perspective underlines the value of practical experience and iterative improvement in Shawn's career, even with constant access to information.
College Experiences That Helped a President at Suite Answers That Work Succeed
To prepare for a successful career, Shawn worked in college, taking on roles outside their comfort zone to "think outside the box" and problem solve, gaining valuable experience dealing with clients, employees, and understanding business systems, which ultimately provided the flexibility and real-world understanding needed to thrive in larger organizations. Even seemingly "menial" jobs taught Shawn the importance of adhering to established structures and rules.
What It Is Like to Be a President at Suite Answers That Work
Shawn found that WP Carey's focus on teamwork, through large classes and group projects, was the most impactful experience; this fostered a sense of balance and the realization that "I have something to contribute, even in times when I may not know the right answer," a sentiment that surely benefits them as President at EXCION Corporation.
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