Oct 19, 2020
“If you can get better at knowing people, understanding people,
taking care of people, you’ll be a better salesperson.”
This week, we welcome Jason Smith, former U.S. Air Force Captain,
sales expert, keynote speaker, business coach, trainer, and
military veteran community leader.
Jason joins FourBlock founder Mike Abrams to discuss his own
transition struggles, address the negative stereotypes associated
with sales careers, and share expert insights & actionable advice
for veterans looking to start a successful career in sales or
become a better salesperson.
Jason is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, serving on
active duty for four years and reaching the rank of Captain. Jason
left active duty unexpectedly due to medical reasons and
transitioned into a role as a manufacturing process engineer at
General Electric.
Jason’s Enterprise Sales career began with Red Hat Software as a
new business development rep in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia.
Since then, he has driven sales and developed business development
plans for IBM and Fiserv, where the strategies he designed and
executed consistently yielded revenue attainment in excess of 300%
of target while creating multiple loyal reference clients for his
companies.
He founded CIGRIE, LLC in 2016 as an alternative to traditional
strategic consulting for small businesses in Atlanta. In 2018
CIGRIE was selected as an affiliate of ASLAN Training &
Development, to deliver their 23-year training curriculum to major
Enterprises globally for companies like, SolarWinds, KVH, FLIR, and
American Airlines.
Jason serves as a City Leader for Bunker Labs, a national
non-profit supporting veteran entrepreneurs. For the past three
years, he has also served as a Career Readiness Instructor for the
Atlanta cohort of FourBlock, providing career transition training
and support for veterans.
ABOUT US
Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace.
General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat.
But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.
FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.
Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, FourBlock founder, director of the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration, and author of two military transition books. He’ll be representing the military transition perspective.
Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey will be representing the civilian perspective of this issue.
Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/
Over 77% of FourBlock alumni stay at their first jobs over 12 months. Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate.
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