Jason Dorsey Interview, The Gen Y Guy Explains How to Save Money and Grow your Business

By: Michael Dunlop     Topics: Blog,Entrepreneur Interviews

How to Save Money and Grow your Business

Hi Everyone,

Today at WebMakeMoney.com we are delighted to interview Jason Ryan Dorsey – AKA “The Gen Y Guy and author Y-Size Your Business: How Gen Y Employees Can Save You Money and Grow Your Business

Generation Y—sometimes called Millennials — are the fastest growing segment in America’s workforce. Almost 80 million strong, they already comprise the entire 18-to-32 demographic. Along with their ever-present cell phones and new definition of “business casual,” they bring tremendous potential to the workplace (just ask, they’ll tell you). However, Generation Y’s approach to employment can make them a challenge for managers and executives to attract, retain, motivate, and develop.

In Y-Size Your Business, Jason Ryan Dorsey—The Gen Y Guy®—shows you why embracing Gen Y employees gives you an immediate competitive advantage and positions your business for long-term growth. In today’s economy, the opportunity Gen Y presents has never been more attractive. Gen Y is cost-effective to employ, brings a timely skill set to the workplace, and wants to make a difference from their first day of employment.

Jason has also delivered something like 1800 keynote speeches plus he has appeared on 60 Minutes, 20/20, The Today Show, and The View. Jason is a remarkable young man with a timely message for business owners and entrepreneurs today.

The like the advice that Jason lives by:

You choose the life you live

That pretty well sums up Generation Y.

Enjoy The Interview – and let me have your comments

Best Wishes

Michael

PS: I also loved Jason’s advice for entrepreneurs regarding what to do in challenging time:

Do something every day that moves you forward. Something concrete and tangible. Cold-call people. Write something. Go to a meeting. If you keep focused on moving forward you will eventually get where you’re trying to go.

SPOT ON!

Jason Dorsey Interview

Here’s more about Jason in his own words:

My name is Jason Dorsey and I live in Austin, Texas—home of great live music, excellent queso, and wearing flip flops to fancy restaurants. I’m now 31 years old and wrote my first bestselling book at age 18. Since that time, I’ve written four more books, delivered 1,800 keynotes as far away as India, and been featured on lots of national TV shows. However, I still text message my mom every day.

I was initially inspired to pursue this path by a mentor. He helped me to see that my personal journey overcoming all kinds of obstacles to become a junior in college at age 18, while at the same time finding great mentors and positioning myself for big job opportunities, was something that I should share. He said I should write a book for people my age so they, too, could get a head start on the real world. I listened. I had no idea that the book would turn into a bestseller, lead me to start my own company, and ultimately become a way for me to help business execs all over the world. Now I would say I’m most inspired by helping people of all ages recognize the potential that Gen Y brings to the workplace—and the cost-effective actions employers can take to unlock Gen Y’s workplace performance. It’s cool, because I essentially get to help Gen Y get more of what we want and at the same time employers come out ahead, too.

 

1) You are known as the GenY Guy – tell us a bit more about this title?

This title was the easiest way I could explain what I do. I help people better understand, lead, sell to, and work with Gen Y. Now I meet people all the time who say, “Hey, aren’t you that Gen Y Guy?” The name has definitely stuck.

2)  Do you think that being a good speaker is something you’re born with, or can it be learned?

I think some people have a natural personality for speaking (these are people like me who constantly talk to strangers while shopping for groceries). Ironically, that doesn’t mean you have to be an extrovert to be a good speaker. Many of the best speakers are introverts who simply come out of their shell when given a stage and a microphone. I have also seen lots of people develop their speaking skills simply by practicing (all you need is an audience) and asking for constructive feedback after every speech. I know I’m a much better speaker now than I was thirteen years ago. Some people think that my style is entirely natural, but it’s actually me trying different things 1,800+ times to see what really works for my audiences.

3) Can you share some of the biggest lessons you have learned personally and as a business as things have grown? If you were to start again, what might you do differently?

If I were to start again I would have asked more questions about how to build a business that lasts for a long period of time. I simply had a dream and started doing what I thought was necessary to move forward. While this took me to a certain level, I eventually realized I was doing a lot of things the hard way. I finally went to my mentors and advisors and asked, “How do I grow my business in a way that gives me more control over my lifestyle yet allows me to make a bigger impact?” Some of the best advice I ever received, and continued to receive, was from other entrepreneurs who had already struggled with this same question and found their own set of answers.

4) What next for you? Where do you see the business in say 5 years time?

My focus now is leveraging the message and methodology in Y-Size Your Business. I believe the information in this book can profoundly impact the success of business that employ Gen Y. I now spend most of my free time (i.e. Airplane time) thinking about how to take my message to a more meaningful level. My hope is that in 3 – 5 years I will be helping people without having to actually show up—that way my wife can finally get me to mow the yard. Then again, maybe I should keep speaking…

5) You have really built a niche for yourself as a generational expert, being featured in Fortune, on 60 minutes an other news programs, how important is personal branding and do you have any tips for young entrepreneurs for how to stay true to their brands?

In a business like mine, personal branding is extremely important. For all intents and purposes, I am the business. If your situation is similar, then anything you can do to show that you are a thought-leader will help to build your credibility, visibility, and influence. This could include writing a column, monthly podcast, Twitter, or responding to others who already use these channels. For me, I built my brand by becoming very clear on the results I delivered and focusing all our marketing on those results. If your business is bigger than you, then personal branding is more of a career move than a business strategy. Either way, the more people who have a positive association with you, the more doors will open.

6) Do you have any suggestions for coping with set-backs in business or coping with adversity?

Yes. My # 1 suggestion for dealing with setbacks is to go help someone else. Really. When things seem incredibly bleak go find someone in need and help them. This will shift your focus off yourself, allow you to clear your head, and make someone else’s day a little brighter. This also keeps you from making rash decisions which sometimes make the setback worse. In terms of overcoming adversity, my best strategy is to surround myself with people who believe in me. These are family, friends, and mentors. They want me to succeed not because of any financial gain but simply because they want me to be happy and live my dream. I show the same support toward them.

7) How do you keep your business focus – Do you have any suggestions for entrepreneurs who are experiencing challenging times?

Do something every day that moves you forward. Something concrete and tangible. Cold-call people. Write something. Go to a meeting. If you keep focused on moving forward you will eventually get where you’re trying to go.

8 ) Is there anyone that you look up to and model yourself on?

I greatly respect my parents and grandparents. I strive to demonstrate their unwavering love. In terms of business, my role models are my mentors. They have not only built successful companies, but contributed to the community and taken time to help other people achieve their dreams (people like me).

9) Do you have any favourite business related books that you can recommend to other entrepreneurs?

Absolutely. Here are some of my favorite: Think and Grow Rich, The Little Red Book of Selling, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, The Rockefeller Habits, and The Alchemist.

10) What is the best advice you have ever been given?

You choose the life you live.

11) As someone who has achieved success at a relatively young age, what advice would you give to a Young Entrepreneur starting their first business today?

Focus on learning every single day. As soon as you take your focus off learning and growing you start to get stagnant and lose some of your spark. For me, that means asking lots of questions, introducing myself to people who could help me, reading everything I can get my hands on, and then taking educated risks (and learning from my failures and my successes).

12) What do you like best about the Internet?

It gives me something to read when I’m waiting in line for coffee.

13) What do you like least about the Internet?

Dial-up.

14) Have you any plans (personal or business) that you can share with us about your future plans / goals / lifetime goals?

I am about to go on my first vacation without my cell phone or laptop. I’m nervous and excited!

Buy The Book At Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Y-Size-Your-Business-Employees-Money/dp/0470505567