Life of Riley

suits

One of my favorite blogs to read is that of Mark Cuban. He is a brilliant mind and is unafraid to speak his mind on any subject he so chooses. I find his commentary on sports to be insightful, his ramblings amusing, and his posts on business and life to be motivating.

Well, I was browsing through some of his old postings the other day and came across this one about why he doesn’t wear a suit anymore. I really enjoyed the post and I feel pretty much the same as he does about suits and ties at work…they are an outdated nuisance in most instances. There is no need for suits and ties in most workplaces where a majority of the work being done is either entirely online or via phone and not face-to-face. The person on the other end of your email or telephone call wouldn’t know the difference if you had on a suit or were sitting in your underwear…so why not let employees be comfortable?

However, I think there are some instances where a suit is needed. Based mainly on tradition and custom, there are many people that expect certain people doing certain jobs to wear a suit to work. I think that there is a certain level of respectability and comfort that comes with people in suits and ties. They look important. They look like they know what they are doing. Whether or not they are important or really know what they are doing, it is important in some instances for a person to convey this image.

The three sectors that immediately come to mind where appearing important and knowledgeable is necessary are politics, law and finance. Would you trust a lawyer in a pair of sweats to get you out of that speeding ticket? Would you trust him to explain that mortgage to you? Would you trust your financial future to a man in shorts and a tee-shirt? Not that politicians are trustworthy, but one without a suit is certainly suspect.

It is important that the people you are serving trust you to do a job. The near instant image of a lawyer contains a suit and a briefcase. (Now that I write that I wonder how much of the word ‘briefcase’ comes from lawyer court briefs…) The image of a successful stock broker contains an expensive suit, a clean cut, and a nice car. As outdated as these images may be, they persist and it is necessary to fit within the stereotype in order to compete in these sectors. People want to hire what they imagine and expect…and in some sectors that includes a certain dress.

Aside from the conveyance of an image, there is also the impact on the employee. Again, with the same three sectors I can think of a myriad of examples. I don’t know if suits really make people work harder, but I think that the argument can be made that dressing down can lead to a more relaxed view of the tasks at hand. You don’t want your lawyer lounging in his office when your statute of limitations is about to run. You don’t want your broker sitting idly by while that stock you wanted to sell plummets. You don't want your politician to miss that vote that would have brought some 'pork' to your city. So, the argument is there that suits may be a necessary evil…in some circumstances.

That being said, it is the job of management to ensure things get done as needed. Suits shouldn’t motivate employees…management should motivate employees. You shouldn’t have to tie a knot on someone’s neck to get them to work harder…there are so many other ways to do so.

As sad as it is, suits are a necessary evil in many circumstances and I don’t see them going anywhere. I do think, though, that as we continue to progress to a more digital, less ‘personal’ society dress standards will continue to relax. Personally…I cannot wait for that day to come!

**AFTERTHOUGHT** This morning, as I got ready for work, I went to put on my socks and realized a missed a huge pet peeve of mine when I wrote this. Dress socks suck. I cannot stand the way they feel on my legs and it drives me nuts that all dress socks are made to be pulled at least up to mid calf. I always roll my socks down so that they are just above my ankle...enough so there is all sock when sitting but still low enough that they don't bug me. Someone needs to start making low rise dress socks...I know that I am not the only one with this issue. Just another problem with being required to dress up for work.

continuing education

Yesterday afternoon I was "lucky" enough to experience my first continuing legal education seminar. It was entitled "Packing Your Parachute: Preparing for Law Practice Risk." It was put on by my firm's insurance company and was a prerequisite to obtain a premium discount. There were a few different topics, most of which don't apply to my everyday work-life, but there were some points that do apply. The problem, however, is that they use the most absurd, once-in-a-lifetime cases to get the point across. The cases are, more often than not, so far fetched that you never think something could happen to you. The speaker was a little over the top, but he was really passionate about the topic and made a very dry subject easier to sit through.

But, after spending three and a half hours sitting in a hot, stuffy room filled with lawyers, listening and learning about law practice risks, my thoughts once again turned to all of those people that don't have to sit through such torture, but should have to. Lawyers, accountants, doctors, teachers...it may make sense to require continuing ed to maintain licenses in the respective fields. It keeps professionals up with the times and keeps them involved in their professions. But what about those people that really run the word? Politicians, CEOs, executives, etc. These people are lucky enough to attend 'conferences' that are often held in exotic locations and amount to little more than vacations with a couple meetings dispersed throughout.

I have said before that it is a necessary evil to require licenses in some professions, and a disappointment that licenses are not required in many others. The same thoughts apply to continuing ed...it is a necessary evil in some professions, but it really should be a requirement for many others...

testing, testing, 1, 2, 3...

So I sit here at work today with the bar exam still looming large above my head. I sit here having taken the NYS notary exam yesterday. I think of all of the tests that some people must take in order to get where they are and all of the 'tests' that are never taken by others.

Think about it...really think of all the professions that require an exam to be licensed. A lot of these exams are more than necessary, but some are utterly stupid. I mean, I wouldn't want an unlicensed doctor performing surgery. But a license test to cut hair or apply makeup?? An exam to verify identity? Come on...

But here is what gets me...no tests (formal at least) are required to (1) run a company, (2) be a politician, (3) run the country. These three come to mind because they are probably some of the most important people in the world today. Companies impact our everyday financial world; politicians impact our personal freedoms and rights; and, well, the president & other high-level executives impact the national atmosphere (social, political, and economic), as well as the global atmosphere. Why no test here?

There are so many brilliant lawyers who can't practice b/c they don't test well and there are so many bad, idiotic lawyers who can practice b/c they do test well. I am sure this is true with doctors, dentists, and other professionals as well.

I wonder how many top business executives, entrepreneurs, and politicians would be where they were should they have had to take a test...

Monetizing Study

It has been a while since I was last able to sit down, collect my thoughts, and post a semi-coherent thought. It has been a rough few weeks for me with finishing up classes, getting through finals, and then planning for graduation. This past weekend was absolutely great as we welcomed Darren & Sherri and Caroline's parents for the weekend. We also had a great graduation/housewarming party.

Now that I am finished with school I have a long road (short actually) ahead of me to the bar exam at the end of July. With only a few months to go I have a whole lot of studying to do...this should be fun!

Now, the real purpose of this post...along with a few other things I have going I want to attempt to become a professional student for real. It has long been a joke that I am already a professional student, but I am more of an amateur as I am still footing the bills. I am looking to find a sponsor for my studies or multiple sponsors for that matter. I am still putting this whole idea together, but I welcome any input, contacts, etc. that could help me to become the first (as far as I know) professional student.

Of the many ideas I have had to make this work, I was thinking of creating a daily 'uniform' (think NASCAR) with my sponsors on it that I could wear to school on a daily basis. I'd be willing to be the subject of some study, research, etc. Someone could write a book or base a movie off this. There are so many ideas I have...I just need the right contact to make this happen...

It was a huge joke that I would be going to med school next...I don't know about that, but I would like to go somewhere...

Done?!?!?!

Well this is it. After a few hours of researching, reading, and typing I just submitted my last exam for law school. So now, after three years I am officially done with work. Now I just have to sit back and wait to see if I passed. I have a lot of mixed emotions right now...shock, awe, terror, happiness, a lot of proud...and I am sure that they will sort themselves out eventually. But for now its time to sit back, relax, wait for grades and graduation...

Maintaining Motivation

I took my last exam this afternoon...the second to last thing I need to complete before being conferred all the rights and privileges that come with having a law degree. If it is anything like all of the other rights and privileges that I have been conferred all I am looking forward to is a lot of student loan debt to pay off! But it is exciting nonetheless.

But along with winding down with school comes a total loss of motivation...remember the so-called senioritis? Couple that with the slow times I am facing right now with 4anagent and the 80 degree temps outside and it is a wonder how I even find myself in front of the computer right now (it's raining outside). But when I take a second to look back and reflect on how far I have come in the past three years...and more importantly the last 5-6 months...I am able to maintain focus and drive even though I am not running like crazy.

Not being so busy has had its upsides though. It has given me time to reflect on things, ponder where I want to go, how I want to get there, and what to do about it. Once I am able to fully comprehend what all of my thoughts mean, I will surely share.

It's Over...Almost

So yesterday marked another milestone in my own life...the end of law school classes. I have mixed feelings about this as they have been such a huge part of my life for so long. Now I look forward to finishing up for real...exams and all...and graduating. I really am shocked that I've made it this far but it's kind of cool that I did. Oh boy...on to the bar exam.

Finishing Up

As I am finishing up the semester all of my procrastination is catching up with me...in a BIG way! I am not surprised, as I usually wait until the last minute to get things done...though I surely waited too long this time to write this paper...

The paper I wrote was about Internet gambling and government regulation. It was a fairly interesting subject, but one which I really don't care about. I had my period when I would throw down bets here and there, but I have lost interest in it. I prefer the track... The paper did really bring to the forefront that no matter how hard it tries, the government really has no control over the internet and its contents...at least not yet.

Now it's back to business...class today and tomorrow...exam Thursday, take home due by Thursday, and then final exam of my law school tenure comes on the 10th...I cannot wait!

Business Plan Competition

Well, the notification date has come and past. I haven't heard anything, so my assumption is this is where it ends. Although I didn't win (or even advance for that matter) I did manage to get my business plan rewritten. The rewritten plan has allowed me to begin approaching outside investors for 4anagent, which I really wasn't about to do with the initial plan that I had. I'm just hoping that turns out a little better for me...

The Analytical Entrepreneur

I am currently sitting in my real estate transactions class and I cannot stop reflecting on a conversation that I had early this afternoon with one of the school's administrators. (For those who don't know, I am in my final semester at Albany Law School.)

The reasons for the meeting are complicated, so I'll leave it alone. As the meeting was winding down the it was asked of me if I found it difficult to ever get things done after attending law school. He proceeded to explain that he had always thought about doing his own thing, but after analyzing the situation he always managed to talk himself out of it.

So he asked me if, after nearly completing my legal education, I found it difficult to make decisions. He was asking me if being an entrepreneur was more difficult because of the way I was taught here. I've been thinking about this non-stop since it was brought up.

It made me think of something that Darren said to me the other day. It was something about entrepreneurs intrinsically being risk takers. How you can't fret the little stuff and still succeed. I tried to find the email but I can't find it...if I am way off he'll let me know. But he said this to me because I was starting to worry about some small details that he didn't think were issues.

In law school I am taught to approach with caution. Don't do anything until you have figured out what you have approached, circled it a few times, looked it all over, and figured out the consequences that may (or may not) occur. Essentially you are taught to beat the proverbial dead horse.

Lucky for me my attention has been elsewhere for the past few years and I have missed most of these lessons. I still have that notion inside to either jump over, walk around, or plow right through many of these obstacles I am faced with...most of the time.

So now I am wondering if you can be too analytical and still be an entrepreneur.  I know I am taking this to extremes here, but Richard says he is too analytical (thanks to law school) to jump on an idea. Darren is saying to not analyze so much. It makes me wonder what makes for the right mix...