The Armchair Economist’s Apprenticeship is a weekly series documenting my progress throughout my journey in the apprenticeship module of the Praxis program. I’m currently a market research analyst apprentice for a non-profit (my position is subject to change depending on the needs of my employer). At the request of my boss, I’ll be keeping the details of my employer under wraps for the time being.
Week 17: August 24, 2020 – August 28, 2020
What I’m Learning:
One cool thing I learned at work last week:
I learned how to process payments through PayPal Here, which is an app similar to Square.
One cool thing I learned outside of work last week:
The United Launch Alliance (ULA) rocket, the Delta IV Heavy has three massive boosters and it’s one of the largest rockets in the world. Most space rockets only have one or two at most that store fuel in them but for Delta IV Heavy, it was carrying a large payload (shipment) consisting of spy satellites and other classified equipment. Hence the need for three massive boosters to carry all that equipment into orbit.
ULA is another competing space company separate from NASA and they’ve been around since the first space missions in the 1960s. In fact, they were the first to send the first American in space.
Last week, there was supposed to be a Delta IV Heavy launch but it kept getting delayed and eventually canceled due to technical issues like a pneumatics module (a device that uses pressurized air to move mechanical parts) issue and an engine that wouldn’t ignite properly during the countdown. You can see the aborted mission below.
What I’m Creating:
One example of how I created value at work last week:
Last week I was on a live recording of a podcast for work. It was actually sprung on me and a bit of a surprise since I was only given a three day notice to prepare for it. My boss invited me on the panel with three other speakers, himself included, and we had a casual conversation about current events relating to economics and politics.
Imagine being given three days to prepare to speak in front of a crowd of 120 people and having no idea what to discuss. No pressure.
But now I can officially say I have proof that I’m able to work under pressure.
What project I’m currently working on at my BP:
I’m still working on a marketing plan with my coworker and setting more defined deadlines once we figure out when our tech guy can get our platform up and running with the necessary content.
I’m also working on a side project of how our mentorship guidelines will look like. The founder and I are collaborating on what the rules and expectations should be for the mentees and mentors.
What I’m doing to become a better version of myself overall:
I’m constantly searching for ways to create value for my Business Partner like offering to plan more events for them.
Weekly Monday Workshop:
What Praxis Monday session did you attend last week (ie. what was the topic & who was the guest)?
Public Speaking with Matt Beaudreau, founder of Acton Academy Placer.
What was your favorite highlight from the session?
He didn’t have a slideshow when he was presenting and his reasoning was this; it would be distracting to have one and it forces the audience to focus on him and what he has to say. Matt also said how a slideshow can backfire and lower the quality of your presentation, therefore only use it when you need it like presenting research or facts and figures – things that need visualization.
What was your biggest takeaway from that session?
1. Organization is 90% of the work when preparing for a speech.
– keep it as simple as possible
– who is your audience? Were they forced to be there because their company made them attend or did they come on their free will?
– think about whose end goal matters. Figure out what your audience will takeaway.
2. What’s my message?
– what are my 1-2 takeaways/actionable advice at the end?
– relax when you deliver, it’s easy to not notice you’re speaking fast because you’re nervous.
– who do I need to be so the audience can connect with me? Be yourself but choose a part of your personality that relates to the audience.
– dress for the part
3. Understand humor
– don’t try to use humor if you don’t understand how to relate with your audience because it needs to be relevant to both you and them.
– it can easily backfire especially with inside jokes.
– don’t be a poser
4. Find common ground and get it out there ASAP
– if you’re talking to an individual and you had time to research their background, find something you like about them that you relate to and immediately bring it up when you meet them.
– doing so increases your likability.
– basically be relatable
5. What are my key stories
– stories are more relatable than facts and logic
– don’t try to copy someone you’re not, e.g. if you’re giving a presentation in an economics seminar don’t try to be a famous economist. People want to listen to your story, not some rehashing of a famous economist.
6. How you say something is more important than the words you use
– actions speak louder than words
– how you frame an idea speaks louder
– relax and slow down, pauses are ok
– don’t worry about sounding smart just be genuine and yourself
– be self aware of the inflections in your voice
7. Be compelling
– genuinely care and know about the topic you’re discussing
How do you intend to apply that takeaway to your life?
To my surprise, I was already doing the above during my first public speech last year. I even opened with humor and thankfully it didn’t backfire on me because I made it relevant for everyone.
This past weekend, I was at a seminar and had to speak. I didn’t know what I was going to say so I just found common ground that everyone can relate to and showed my genuine self.
Several individuals came up to me afterwards and said they loved my talk and agreed completely with me.
What was the exercise assigned by the guest and what did you learn from it?
Watch comedians to learn confidence and delivery.