Lifetime at Work: Career Advice Podcast

Episode 28. Investment Banking is one of the most intense place to start your career, but every year thousands of new recruits join the junior ranks of banks from Goldman Sachs  to Merrill Lynch to Greenhill to a tiny boutique nobody has heard of. They work all night on powerpoint and excel, pitches and models, selling companies and raising money. The experience is amazing, but everyday is intense.

In this interview we dive deep into the true life as an investment banking analyst. Throughout the episode host Greg Martin shares what it was like in the mergers & acquisitions group of a major Canadian boutique, while Linda Wan shares her experience with a large global bank.

The interview goes beyond the comps, slides and deals into the ups and downs, career meaning and the doors that open after accomplishing two great years. If you’re interested in a career in finance, are curious about what investment bankers do every day or have ever felt like you spent too much time at work, this is a great episode for you.

Key Takeaways

• Investment banks help advise companies on strategic decisions and in raising capital, while an analyst performs lots of analysis and creates presentations to communicate ideas to clients (the decision makers)
• The emotional and mental toll of working 14+ hour days is intense, while certain mental strategies will get you to overcome the idea of an all-nighter
• Compensation is a large appeal to the job, typically starting around $150,000/year and going up
• Many banks in the industry are missing out on developing good talent right from an analyst, and instead burn them out and hire MBAs
• Part of the motivation that gets you through is the team environment (many others are doing it), but also the amount you learn, the gratitude and accomplishment of doing good work
• The thought of quitting can happen often, but most of the time doesn’t seem like an option
• Keys to getting on a recruiters good side are solid grades, making a connection with the interviewer and asking good questions
• The industry experience is unlike most other careers, as is the access to board of director meetings, CEOs and top level executives from early in your career (early 20s)
• There are many paths and career doors that open after completing 2 years as an investment banking analyst including private equity, corporate strategy, asset management or even working at a startup

Episode 28. Investment Banking is one of the most intense place to start your career, but every year thousands of new recruits join the junior ranks of banks from Goldman Sachs  to Merrill Lynch to Greenhill to a tiny boutique nobody has heard of. They work all night on powerpoint and excel, pitches and models, selling companies and raising money. The experience is amazing, but everyday is intense.

In this interview we dive deep into the true life as an investment banking analyst. Throughout the episode host Greg Martin shares what it was like in the mergers & acquisitions group of a major Canadian boutique, while Linda Wan shares her experience with a large global bank.

The interview goes beyond the comps, slides and deals into the ups and downs, career meaning and the doors that open after accomplishing two great years. If you’re interested in a career in finance, are curious about what investment bankers do every day or have ever felt like you spent too much time at work, this is a great episode for you.

Key Takeaways

• Investment banks help advise companies on strategic decisions and in raising capital, while an analyst performs lots of analysis and creates presentations to communicate ideas to clients (the decision makers)
• The emotional and mental toll of working 14+ hour days is intense, while certain mental strategies will get you to overcome the idea of an all-nighter
• Compensation is a large appeal to the job, typically starting around $150,000/year and going up
• Many banks in the industry are missing out on developing good talent right from an analyst, and instead burn them out and hire MBAs
• Part of the motivation that gets you through is the team environment (many others are doing it), but also the amount you learn, the gratitude and accomplishment of doing good work
• The thought of quitting can happen often, but most of the time doesn’t seem like an option
• Keys to getting on a recruiters good side are solid grades, making a connection with the interviewer and asking good questions
• The industry experience is unlike most other careers, as is the access to board of director meetings, CEOs and top level executives from early in your career (early 20s)
• There are many paths and career doors that open after completing 2 years as an investment banking analyst including private equity, corporate strategy, asset management or even working at a startup

Episode 27. Keynote speaker and author Chris Clews is the guest. Chris grew up in the 80’s and has gained over 20 years of experience in corporate marketing. His book series "What 80’s Pop Culture Teaches Us About Today's Workplace" merges together these two worlds he knows very well.  

We’ll hear from Chris about the highlights and struggles of workplace culture through the lens of 80’s culture. He also shares important (80’s-related) lessons that can help you no matter what industry or organization you work in.

Key Takeaways

• Chris draws on 80’s culture because even years later its authentic influence remains
• 80’s pop culture was about experimentation and valuing what people actually wanted
• 80’s music and movies were based largely on simple stories and character development
• Through a variety of movies including Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, The Goonies and Coming to American (among others) we learn:
  • Entrepreneurship has no guarantees—no matter how great you feel your business is
  • True leaders share the stage of success; rulers keep others below the stage
  • Encouragement doesn’t cost a thing, and you can do it every day
  • Saying “I don’t know” is okay and can display strength, confidence, and character
  • Often disengaged people are actually smart people—you can’t judge a book by its cover
  • Inclusivity is crucial in the workplace and may reveal hidden capabilities within the team
  • Helping others to help ourselves
  • Confident people question themselves; Arrogant people question others

Episode 27. Keynote speaker and author Chris Clews is the guest. Chris grew up in the 80’s and has gained over 20 years of experience in corporate marketing. His book series "What 80’s Pop Culture Teaches Us About Today's Workplace" merges together these two worlds he knows very well.  

We’ll hear from Chris about the highlights and struggles of workplace culture through the lens of 80’s culture. He also shares important (80’s-related) lessons that can help you no matter what industry or organization you work in.

Key Takeaways

• Chris draws on 80’s culture because even years later its authentic influence remains
• 80’s pop culture was about experimentation and valuing what people actually wanted
• 80’s music and movies were based largely on simple stories and character development
• Through a variety of movies including Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, The Goonies and Coming to American (among others) we learn:
  • Entrepreneurship has no guarantees—no matter how great you feel your business is
  • True leaders share the stage of success; rulers keep others below the stage
  • Encouragement doesn’t cost a thing, and you can do it every day
  • Saying “I don’t know” is okay and can display strength, confidence, and character
  • Often disengaged people are actually smart people—you can’t judge a book by its cover
  • Inclusivity is crucial in the workplace and may reveal hidden capabilities within the team
  • Helping others to help ourselves
  • Confident people question themselves; Arrogant people question others

Episode 26. A 40 year legal career is an incredible thing. Our guest this episode is Bill Ainley. Bill worked for decades in the world of law, mostly in corporate M&A. Right out of university, he joined a firm called Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg and became the head of M&A. After 40 years, Bill retired. He now sits on the Origin Merchant Partners advisory board. 

In this episode, Bill dives into his career and shares the aspects he loved about working in M&A at Davies and the key reasons he found working in corporate law fun, exciting, and empowering.

Key Takeaways

• When Bill started at Davies, there were 19 lawyers. By the time he left, there were 245
• The key aspect that led Bill to stay for so long was the team atmosphere at Davies - for Bill, the longer you stay in law the more exciting it gets
• Involved in some of the largest transactions in Canada
• Davies emphasizes empowering its young lawyers early in their career
• One of Bill’s mentors taught him to be a duck: paddling furiously underwater but appearing calm on top
• There are fantastic lawyers in every firm—you can differentiate using interpersonal skills
• When hiring new lawyers, Bill tried to look for creative individuals with life experience and introspective qualities
• Feels he was lucky to have the career he did and accomplished everything he wanted to in his career

Bill’s Background

• Holds a BA and LLB from University of Cambridge and a BCL and LLB from McGill University
• Had a successful 40-year career at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg and played a role in some of Canada’s largest and most significant transactions
• Retired from his career after 40 years

Episode 26. A 40 year legal career is an incredible thing. Our guest this episode is Bill Ainley. Bill worked for decades in the world of law, mostly in corporate M&A. Right out of university, he joined a firm called Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg and became the head of M&A. After 40 years, Bill retired. He now sits on the Origin Merchant Partners advisory board. 

In this episode, Bill dives into his career and shares the aspects he loved about working in M&A at Davies and the key reasons he found working in corporate law fun, exciting, and empowering.

Key Takeaways

• When Bill started at Davies, there were 19 lawyers. By the time he left, there were 245
• The key aspect that led Bill to stay for so long was the team atmosphere at Davies - for Bill, the longer you stay in law the more exciting it gets
• Involved in some of the largest transactions in Canada
• Davies emphasizes empowering its young lawyers early in their career
• One of Bill’s mentors taught him to be a duck: paddling furiously underwater but appearing calm on top
• There are fantastic lawyers in every firm—you can differentiate using interpersonal skills
• When hiring new lawyers, Bill tried to look for creative individuals with life experience and introspective qualities
• Feels he was lucky to have the career he did and accomplished everything he wanted to in his career

Bill’s Background

• Holds a BA and LLB from University of Cambridge and a BCL and LLB from McGill University
• Had a successful 40-year career at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg and played a role in some of Canada’s largest and most significant transactions
• Retired from his career after 40 years

Synopsis

Episode 25. After a short hiatus from the podcast, we’re back with David Rosell for episode 25. David’s entrepreneurial journey began when he was 15, and he’s now the Founder & Chief Prosperity Officer at Rosell Wealth Management. He and his team help clients learn how to manage their money in the most beneficial way possible. 

Today, David shares more about the businesses he’s created in his life and the lessons he learned along the way. He also discusses why he chose a less traditional career path and decided to follow what he was passionate about—and why you should too.

Key Takeaways

●       We don’t learn core financial lessons in school. We learn them from our parents.

●       Following your passion instead of sticking to a typical career path can make you a better person to be around.

●       Money is intended to give you freedom, and sometimes it can support happiness too.

●       The tougher and more disciplined you are on yourself today, the better off you’ll be in the future.

●       Instead of retiring as young as possible, David wants to follow his passions independent of a paycheck.

●       If you can follow your bliss and trust your gut, you can find what you’re truly passionate about and increase your potential to generate a higher income.

●       When you’re planning for retirement, you need to account for inflation.

David’s Background

●       Started and grew his first company as a teenager and sold it 10 years later.

●       At 19, he started funding his IRA and learning about finances.

●       He’s the Founder & Chief Prosperity Officer at Rosell Wealth Management.

●       David has written books such as “Keep Climbing” and “Failure is Not an Option” as resources for those who want to learn more about money management. Learn more here.

Synopsis

Episode 25. After a short hiatus from the podcast, we’re back with David Rosell for episode 25. David’s entrepreneurial journey began when he was 15, and he’s now the Founder & Chief Prosperity Officer at Rosell Wealth Management. He and his team help clients learn how to manage their money in the most beneficial way possible. 

Today, David shares more about the businesses he’s created in his life and the lessons he learned along the way. He also discusses why he chose a less traditional career path and decided to follow what he was passionate about—and why you should too.

Key Takeaways

●       We don’t learn core financial lessons in school. We learn them from our parents.

●       Following your passion instead of sticking to a typical career path can make you a better person to be around.

●       Money is intended to give you freedom, and sometimes it can support happiness too.

●       The tougher and more disciplined you are on yourself today, the better off you’ll be in the future.

●       Instead of retiring as young as possible, David wants to follow his passions independent of a paycheck.

●       If you can follow your bliss and trust your gut, you can find what you’re truly passionate about and increase your potential to generate a higher income.

●       When you’re planning for retirement, you need to account for inflation.

David’s Background

●       Started and grew his first company as a teenager and sold it 10 years later.

●       At 19, he started funding his IRA and learning about finances.

●       He’s the Founder & Chief Prosperity Officer at Rosell Wealth Management.

●       David has written books such as “Keep Climbing” and “Failure is Not an Option” as resources for those who want to learn more about money management. Learn more here.

Episode 24. Adrien Beyk is an engineer and entrepreneur on a mission. Instead of a down payment on a home, he started a business and never looked back. 

The company he created is working hard to revolutionize socks and gloves, with an app that controls their temperature. But, his goals are beyond that. He thinks you don’t learn enough with a typical degree at university and the true way to get ahead in the world is starting something and learning by doing. The world is moving too fast and all the knowledge is right there, but how you learn it makes all the difference.

Technology and engineering should be about being different, thinking in new ways and changing the way we do things. This episode is all about that. With host Greg Martin, Adrien discusses his philosophy on how to combine your passions and love to make money and enjoy what you do.

Episode 24. Adrien Beyk is an engineer and entrepreneur on a mission. Instead of a down payment on a home, he started a business and never looked back. 

The company he created is working hard to revolutionize socks and gloves, with an app that controls their temperature. But, his goals are beyond that. He thinks you don’t learn enough with a typical degree at university and the true way to get ahead in the world is starting something and learning by doing. The world is moving too fast and all the knowledge is right there, but how you learn it makes all the difference.

Technology and engineering should be about being different, thinking in new ways and changing the way we do things. This episode is all about that. With host Greg Martin, Adrien discusses his philosophy on how to combine your passions and love to make money and enjoy what you do.