3 Back Pocket Lessons I Learned From Vector, by Jon Berghoff
I stole from Vector. Big time. Every day, I walk around with a handful of lessons in my back pocket, which I call on regularly. I picked up these life lessons as a young college student. They were disguised as advice for success as a Vector sales representative. Little did I know they’d pay dividends years later.
Here they are, in no particular order. My first Vector manager and mentor, Dan Casetta, taught each of these lessons to me. When you read these lessons, you’ll probably see it was no coincidence that Dan is a leader of leaders.
1. Your Income Will Seldom Exceed Your Level of Personal Development
Dan reminded me daily that my business, my career and my life would usually reflect the level at which I worked on myself. Simple enough, I thought. Vector became my teacher, my number one tool, for ongoing personal development. The income followed – no complaints!
2. There Is Always A Way
In my role today as the owner of a training company, I see everyday, that the difference that makes the difference is attitude. And the attitude that creates success is an attitude of there is always a way. When everybody else says no – say yes. When others say we can’t – say we can. Vector showed me how to become a solution finder, not a problem dweller.
3. Life Gives To The Givers and Takes From The Takers
The world has a perfect accounting system. I am still amazed today at the power of doing more than we are paid to do. Some would call it a spiritual principle, others would say it’s a great way to live. When we give more value than we ask for in reward, the world pays attention. Vector made this part a little too easy, by giving me a world-class product, with unmatched value.
Leave a comment about the life lessons you’ve learned that are helping you succeed, we’d love to hear from you!
Jon,
Is this coincidence that you send the life lessons you gained from Dan Casetta to me today? I just finished producing a review of Dan Casetta’s chapter “Great Influencers Know What to Say” from the book The Cutting Edge for our Vector/Cutco team meeting tonight and the life lessons are a welcome addition.
From the lessons you share here I like to underline hat the difference that makes the difference is attitude. As I always strive to be successful in every area of my life, I just end up not feeling successful and as result too often not successful in my enterprises and with people. I am reminded and convinced that this is related to attitude. Looking at things and people differently needs a renewed mind.
Thanks, Jon, I love your training. Best to you, Trudy.
Great points Jon; simple and clear. I always say that I earned 2 degrees in University – A film degree from Simon Fraser University and a Business/Life degree from Vector.
There is no way I’d be where I am today, doing what I love, without those early teachings from some great leaders in vector. Thanks for the reminder of that!
Chris
Jon, this is great. I sold Cutco in 1997, it was the best business training i’ve ever had. Chad
I love the lessons that are given by Vector managers and hope to be as great as Dan Casetta one day.
Jon,
As you said Dan is a leader for the leaders. Dan’s advise is always positive and the best you can get. He seems to know everything.
Josh
Trudy, there are no coincidences.
Good for you for being a student! Cheers, Jon
I sold Cutco in college and went through DM training. The business principles I learned from Vector surpass any class I ever took in college or any other life lesson I’ve been through.
Hey, everyone, this is great feedback and and meaningful validation of what we do here at Vector. I love hearing success stories from people who have taken their Vector experience and applied those principles to help them reach their goals in life.
Sarah
I use the lessons learned from Vector managers when I used to work for Cutco at my current job and it’s always good to find more of their secrets to continue to use.
Jon, Great start it really caught my attention. As I used to work for Cutco, I first thought how did Jon steal from Vector? Then I realized you were talking about how great of a learning experience it was to work for them and how things you learn throughout your life can be repurposed to meet almost any need in some fashion.
Jon, I can totally agree. When you are trying to sell things the attitude you have about it makes the biggest impact.
Cutco is such a great company to have worked for. It jumpstarted my career immensely.
Cutco is amazing!
Talk about giving value…Jon, you never stop giving value and having impacted my career with Vector immensely. Thank you, Ray Reed.
Beautiful truths!
Hi, I just started working for vector this week, i had a few concerns about working for vector and who better to ask than someone who has worked for vector before. my concer is that everyone i know keeps telling me its a waist of my time and tallent, that all that will come out of this job is me losing my money. i wanted to find out for myself, so here is my question. Can you really make a living working for vector?
I couldn’t of made it down the Mississippi without Vector, best decision of my life…or fate, i’m not really sure.
Hi Brittany, thanks for your question. People who come to work with Vector Marketing have a wide range of objectives. Some are students working to help offset educational expenses, others are adults with families who want to supplement their income. Still others choose to work with us in a year-round, professional capacity and support themselves through their sales of Cutco. What is your goal? You can talk to your office manager about your desired income to meet your needs, and s/he will help you work out a plan that will get you on the right track to achieving that goal. That said, it’s important for you to understand that, as in any sales position, your income will be dependent on how much work you do. Simply put, the more time you put in scheduling appointments and showing Cutco, the more you will earn.
Hey Jon,
Great points . . . and absolutely true. My income with Vector has grown each year and I give back as much time as possible to others b/c the only reason I am where I am today is the people who gave me their time on my way up!
Josh
I completely agree, Cutco is a Godsend. Not only did I make very good money, but I learned priceless information on sales that continues to help me to this day.
I just received a letter and called up. It seems like an OK thing, since I am looking for some money. Will this further help my career?
Danny, if you want to learn more about how people have applied what they’ve learned through the Vector experience, check out some of the comments from our alumni on the testimonials page. I can tell you that employers are looking for people with good communications skills, the ability interact with a diverse range of people, strong time management and organization skills, and a proven track record of success. These are precisely the types of skills a person can gain through the Vector experience.