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The story of an accidental career
- 1. The story of an accidental career why you don’t need to join the rat race (if you don’t want to) Chris Philipps Co-Founder / Managing Partner
- 2. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career • Chris Philipps, Co-Founder / MD at PHILIPPS & BYRNE • Tech advisory and leadership development for startups • Tech Due Diligence for VCs • 100+ Tech DDs, 150+ startups worldwide • 20 years in Tech: Dev, Web Operations, QA, Interim CTO Hi!
- 3. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career Why this talk?
- 4. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career I. My father Why this talk?
- 5. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career II. Because we met so many scared young people Why this talk?
- 6. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career Why this talk? I have to study the right thing I have to get my degree fast I must not quit I must not fail I must pursue my career I’m 30. I must become team lead now Must be popular Must earn money Must fulfil expectations Must have a title I must have the best grades I must work at a well-known company I must finish school with 18 I must do internships at the right companies I must spend a semester abroad
- 7. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career
- 8. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career If I don’t do everything right, I won’t make it
- 9. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career You know what?
- 10. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career 3 different career stories
- 11. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career Inga Bergen, CEO Magnosco • Started as: Apprentice travel management assistant, Raver ;) • Now: CEO of Magnosco, one of the leading people in digital health in Germany • Her story: Studied Political Science, worked in India and Turkey, worked in sales/BD, first CEO position in a Health Tech company and rebuilt the company successfully. • Advice to others: “Allow yourself to develop truly originary thinking” Advice to younger self (1999): “If there is an opportunity: TAKE IT!”
- 12. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career Lars Jankowfsky, CEO NFQ Asia • Started as: Mechanical Engineering Student (Drop-out) • Now: Founder of NFQ Asia (around 180 people) • His story: Was a geek in private, accidentally became software developer; went bankrupt with his first company; co-founded Oxid and Swoodoo (sold to Kayak) • Advice to others: “Become very, very good at one thing that you really love” Advice to younger self (1999): “Kauf die Domains, Du Depp!” (“Buy the domains, stupid!”)
- 13. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career Chris • Started as: German Literature Student (Drop- out) • Now: Founder of Philipps & Byrne; one of the European experts for Tech DDs in startups • My story: University drop- out after 6 semesters; only excited about internet and startups; became Fachinformatiker, started my own company; went back to startup scene, became CTO and advisor; started Tech DDs because I ‘thought they are interesting’ • Advice to others: “Be always true to yourself; that’s the most interesting thing about you” Advice to younger self (1999): “Take more risks. Stop overthinking. Follow the energy!”
- 14. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career None of us followed a typical career path
- 15. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career • Listen to your gut feeling • Follow you interest / curiosity • Allow yourself to make mistakes (and learn fast!) • Be persistent (not always but when it counts) Common Patterns for Success
- 16. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career • Develop meta-skills • Be the first to provide value • Get a mentor • Get a tribe Common Patterns for Success
- 17. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career It’s the most important step in the entire process Define “Success” - for YOU!
- 18. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career Start with values Define “Success” - for YOU!
- 19. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career Audience: What are your values? Define “Success” - for YOU!
- 20. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career • Authenticity • Achievement • Adventure • Authority • Autonomy • Balance • Beauty • Boldness • Compassion • Challenge • Citizenship • Community • Competency • Contribution • Creativity • Curiosity • Determination • Fairness • Faith • Fame • Friendships Define “Success” - for YOU! https://jamesclear.com/core-values • Fun • Growth • Happiness • Honesty • Humor • Influence • Inner Harmony • Justice • Kindness • Knowledge • Leadership • Learning • Love • Loyalty • Meaningful Work • Openness • Optimism • Peace • Pleasure • Poise • Popularity • Recognition • Religion • Reputation • Respect • Responsibility • Security • Self-Respect • Service • Spirituality • Stability • Success • Status • Trustworthiness • Wealth • Wisdom …. Pick three:
- 21. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career “Career” Values Define “Success” - for YOU! Career Values
- 22. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career “But this is not what I’ve been told!”
- 23. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career • Impostor Syndrome (and not talking about it) • Limiting belief systems • Living other people’s idea of success Anti-Patterns
- 24. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career • Impostor Syndrome (and not talking about it) • Limiting belief systems • Living other people’s idea of success Anti-Patterns
- 25. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career • Impostor Syndrome (and not talking about it) • Limiting belief systems • Living other people’s idea of success Anti-Patterns
- 26. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career • Fear? Growth is always scary. Accept it. A word about fear
- 27. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career Find your Tribe: Icons, Role Models, Mentors, Peers
- 28. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career • Success starts with reflection: “What’s important to me?” • Follow your interest, become really good at it • Look for mentors and a tribe • If you don’t know your vision: explore! Conclusion
- 29. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career Find Philipps & Byrne: www.philipps-byrne.com Find Chris: e-Mail: chris@philipps-byrne.com LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/chris-philipps-a523758/ Twitter: @chphilipps Instagram: @chris_philipps_ Thank you!
- 31. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career Bonus Tracks (aka out-takes)
- 32. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career • Do you have a vision? • If not: Unknown territory - explore with baby-steps • Test, inspect, adapt • Career MVPs • Happiness Index! Use your agile tool-kit
- 33. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career • One of the European experts / go-to people for TechDDs in startups • 150+ startups, 100+ TechDD’s, worldwide • Owner of my own company Now • Interim CTO ( OUTFITTERY, crealytics, Ryte, DailyDeal, …) • Startup mentor for equity • Speaker, author, conference organiser • Not insanely rich but doing well Most importantly: Happy with and good at what I am doing
- 34. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career • University drop-out after 6 semesters of German Literature, Philosophy and red wine :) • No internships, no semesters abroad, no side jobs • Apprenticeship as “Fachinformatiker” at a startup which went bankrupt after 1,5 years (see also: “New Economy”) • 1st burnout right after first startup • Was wondering what to do - had literally NO idea (and was depressed about it) Not quite a by-the-book start…
- 35. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career • “Ich-AG” in 2003; distance between desk and bed: 1,5m • Founded an internet agency because I had no better idea • “New Economy” crisis • Had no clue about business - made more mistakes than I could count • Worked 70 hours a week on Hartz IV level (aka “Lehrgeld”) • Participated in bastard software project from hell™ • 2nd burn-out It’s a long way to Tipperary
- 36. Chris Philipps The story of an accidental career • Pressure • Fear • Discomfort • No time for family, friends, … • High Risks • Continuous self-improvement Disclaimer: Most “success” comes with a price