Orlando Industry Highlight Non-Profit Volunteers
Interview by Chris "Chip" Redmond with Transworld Business Advisors Orlando
Orlando SCORE
3201 E. Colonial Dr, Fashion Square Mall, Suite A-20, Orlando, Florida 32803
Retirement for some is a chance to relax take time to relax and take a step back from their careers. Some have learned so much during their journey that retirement gives them a chance to teach and guide younger generations. Many organizations would not exist without the amazing volunteers who give their time and expertise. So many times, it is always smarter to get guidance from someone who has been there done that. Non-Profit organizations get stronger with the help from it’s mentors and volunteers, SCORE in Orlando has some amazing entrepreneurs both current and retired. Our young entrepreneurs and start-up companies need people to gain knowledge and tips from, and thankfully we have volunteers in our community that are currently giving up their time to share the knowledge that they have.
This week we interview: Joseph Simmons with SCORE Orlando. Joseph is a leader and mentor at SCORE Orlando who is in a stage of giving back after he has worked for many years. In his past Joeseph was a sales and marketing executive with a focus on sales and leadership coaching. SCORE is a nonprofit association supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the tireless contributions of more than 12,000 volunteers nationwide that allow us to deliver our services at no charge or at very low cost.
What are you most proud of from your career, or is this time giving back your proudest time?
Joe: I am very proud of my journey; my dad was a minster and mom was a domestic. Think about it, my dad watched a man on the moon, didn’t have much, but we had experiences. I have had and continue to have a wonderful life for both my career and family. I had a chance to touch some amazing people along my journey and for that I am thankful. I love hearing stories from people and helping them with what I have learned over the years. I am proud of my entire journey!
What was your turning point into sales?
Joe: I was always in sales. Over time I just got the chance to perfect my craft by listening to others before I spoke.
What key points of advice can you give a salesperson?
Joe: It’s ok to be solid! Being solid is you still doing well at your job. To make it to the top and get awards is extremely difficult and most people do not understand the extra effort that it takes to be in the top percentage of organizations. Being solid requires you still to be very good at your job.
What do you think is the biggest mistake that younger people are making?
Joe: Looking at the big hit and shooting for the moon, when you should be shooting for the corner. The corner gives you an achievable target. Most of us need to understand that the small wins are good for our confidence and that they actually pay the bills.
What was that technology that was a game-changer for you?
Joe: The cell phone helped us to create mobility. That freedom gave us that chance to break away from our cars and offices. Younger people are now on their phones for much longer periods of time and communicate in many ways. It’s not just one form of communication nowadays it’s many at the same time.
What channels do we need to learn because times have changed?
Joe: We are still communication we just need to learn different social media platforms because being connect to clients is still valuable. You need to learn what your customers are using, listen to them then be open to new ways that we can use our phones to be valuable to them.
Video conferencing is big right now due to Covid-19, will it continue moving forward?
Joe: We are slowly moving more towards virtual. Someone will break through the crowd eventually and get virtual to the mainstream. If it can be perfected at an affordable cost it will be the way forward, but until then it’s safe to say that video conferencing is here for a while. Virtual will eventually move us to a brand-new world.
What social media tool do you see as a game-changer?
Joe: LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok…our attention spans are now shorter and getting even shorter. Can you get your message across in 30 seconds? If not, you better figure out a way to. The platforms that use video are changing the way we do business and how suppliers are trying to market to us. Some platforms are doing well because they are giving us that message quickly and accurately. You might not like these sites, but they are only getting more popular.
What classic techniques or social curtsies would you like to see come back?
Joe: There are certain fundamentals that will never change. Listening and observing will never change but we may be doing those differently nowadays. We will just have to learn how to change the way we do them, we are still doing them. If you are not observing and listening, your missing out. People have forgotten the understanding of a relationship. Listen and remember points from your conversations, people appreciate when you personalize and remember facts from conversations. I think we are starting to lose a focus on education, this is starting to slip in the lower levels of our system.
What is your favorite Pizza Restaurant? Who has your favorite pizza?
Joe: Pizza hut! It’s simple and I know what I am consistently getting. Ok second part to that, what is the one place or thing you go across town for. Me and my wife love a Cajun dish at The Cheesecake Factory. We both enjoy it!
Do you think that younger generations misunderstand relationships?
Joe: I think that all ages do. People haven’t taken the time to build up relationships like they use to. Integrity, Trust, and Respect should be a part of all our relationships. You should ask yourself, are you talking about these things or are you doing them? Are you being the same as the next guy? If you do these three things, you will tend to know where they stand. Currently, we do not have the same accountability in our relationships. I don’t think we “own” our relationships anymore and we need to spend more time on them.
What Florida startup are you most excited about?
Joe: I’m sorry, but I can’t answer that.
What industry or company would you like to see move or come to central Florida?
Joe: I would like to see someone like a google or an amazon, something that can move the needle to bring up the average salary. We have an income gap here in Central Florida. I would like to see a technology company that can have a base then create a large local support network of local businesses. The future of the state relies in our kids and how are we going to move to a higher level. It starts with education
If you had a chance to have coffee with anyone alive or dead who would it be?
Joe: Arthur Ashe. Why? We grew up as contemporaries! I would be fascinated to learn what it would be like to be the first one like he was. We have similar backgrounds, lived in similar areas, I would like to learn about how he lived and to learn stories on how he grew up. I would be excited to talk with him about the parallels of our lives and to see how he really thought. I think his creative side was amazing many people do not know about his life outside of sports. Did you know he was a photographer? He was not the greatest he lived his whole life in the middle! Remember that you’re still doing pretty good if you’re in the middle.
Best quote from our talk:
- All you know is what you see! You never know what happens in the background and you never know how much effort is going on in the background. It’s ok to be in the middle.
- Many are called, but few are chosen.
I would like to thank Joe for his time! I could listen to his stories every day! All volunteers are never thanked enough for what they are giving back.
Joe Simmons
Orlando SCORE
3201 E. Colonial Dr, Fashion Square Mall, Suite A-20, Orlando, Florida 32803
SCORE is a nonprofit association supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the tireless contributions of more than 12,000 volunteers nationwide that allow us to deliver our services at no charge or at very low cost.
Our Mission:
Grow successful small businesses across America, one business at a time.
FAQs:
What is SCORE?
The SCORE Association is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth, and success of small businesses nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the Small Business Administration.
Who are SCORE’s mentors?
SCORE Association volunteers serve as “Counselors to America’s Small Business.” Working and retired executives and business owners donate their time and expertise as volunteer business mentors and provide confidential counseling and mentoring free of charge.
Transworld agents volunteer our time at many organizations as we feel that we should be giving back to our community!
Please contact Chip if you have any questions about Transworld or the services that we offer.
407-326-6990 or chrisredmond@tworld.com
From business brokerage to mergers and acquisitions; I am your business sales specialist.
