By Matt Heinz, President of Heinz Marketing
“How I Work” is one of my favorite recurring features in Inc Magazine as well as via Lifehacker’s This Is How I Work Series, and recently several sales experts (including Anthony Iannarino, Dave Brock and Trish Bertuzzi) participated as well.
Periodically moving forward we will feature a new B2B sales, marketing or business leader here answering what have become the standard “How I Work” questions. You can catch up on everyone we’ve featured thus far in the “How I Work” series here.
This week I’m excited to feature David Kinard, VP of business development at Physician’s Insurance. David has a done some amazing things in the past few years, in addition to driving a meteoric rise as a sales & marketing executive. For years David has been involved in leading the Seattle chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA), has been an adjunct faculty member of the MBA program at Seattle University, has hosted the Marketing News Podcast for the AMA, and in 2011 won the Marketing Legend Award.
Oh yeah, he also knows American Sign Language.
David, suffice it to say, gets stuff done. Here in his own words is how he does it.
Location: Seattle, WA
Current computers: Dell Latitude E7240 (super lightweight, thin, long battery)
Current mobile devices: iPhone 6
What apps/software/tools can’t you live without? Audible, Sonos, Rhapsody – I am always listening to something (music, podcast, book, interview). I also love Microsoft’s One Note – huge improvement in the way I organize my thoughts, content, and notes.
What’s your workspace like? I am a neat freak so everything has a place and everything is in its place. That said, my office is filled with Diet Coke bottles from around the world or that have unique shapes/sizes/designs. I also keep a bunch of toys and tactile things to keep my brain creative. Most people who visit my office think of it as an oasis as I use indirect lighting and color to keep things comfortable but stimulating.
What’s your best time-saving shortcut or lifehack? My nighttime routine is really helpful as it is the precursor to having a great next day. I lay out my clothes at night for the morning, I plan ahead for breakfast and try to get up earlier than I need to so I start out the day ahead of the game. I also like to cook and keeping your knives sharp is essential (applies to your life, too).
What everyday thing are you better at than anybody else? Making things fun. Life is too short to hate what you do, or who you do it with. Not a meeting goes by where people aren’t laughing. I do my best to interject enjoyment and joy in almost every situation.
What’s your favorite to-do list manager? My Office Depot signature series ruled notebook and a Microsoft Word document I update each week. I am a certified 7 Habits of Highly Successful People trainer and have spent more than 20 years using the Franklin Covey methods. Though they have taken different forms over the years, I still follow a 6-step process each week (connection with my personal mission statement, identify roles, identify goals, plan weekly/organize daily, exercise integrity in the moment of choice, evaluate and learn).
What do you listen to while at work? Depending on my mood you could hear anything from Disco, Classical, Standards, Jazz, Pop, Country – or a playlist of all the above. I crank tunes through my Bose speakers (I am a bit of an audiophile) and when working after hours or on the weekends, I play it loud!
What are you currently reading? Book four of the Game of Thrones. Just finished Old Mans War. About to start the British versions of the Harry Potter Series – I try to keep my personal reading light and entertaining as so much of my professional reading is heavy stuff.
What’s your sleep routine like? Sleep when sleepy, productive when not.
What’s the best advice you¹ve ever received? Two items: “There is no measure to what someone can do if they don’t mind who gets the credit.” And, “if it’s worth doing at all, it’s worth doing well.”
Anything else you want to add? I think we often forget the WHY and focus on the WHAT. I’ve found that taking time to center and figure out what makes the fire in my belly burn, and then fueling that fire with the right stuff has led to regularly feeling really blessed and happy. Plus, each night before I got to bed I try to journal 3 things that I am grateful for – this keeps my head in the right place.
Fill in the Blank: I¹d love to see BLANK answer these questions. Authors Chip or Dan Heath, Martin Lindstrom, and entertainers Ellen DeGeneres and Cate Blanchett.
