44-Year Electrical Industry Veteran Shares Advice On How To Make Your Job Your Career
- March 10, 2022
- Best Practices
- Electrical
It was October 17, 1978. I was 18 years old, fresh out of high school and just walked through the doors of an electrical distribution company. Forty-four years, eight U.S. Presidents and 11 Star Wars movies later, I am still working in electrical distribution. As my retirement draws near, here are a few important things I have learned over the years.
Embrace Change
In life and in business, change is constant. Over my career, my role has changed from delivery driver to inside sales to solution consultant. How we do business has changed too. When I started, everything, from order entry to managing inventory, was written and archived on paper. Now, customers can place an order online and have it pulled from a warehouse without contacting a single person.
The change has been a lot to keep up with, but every one of those changes has brought an opportunity: An opportunity to learn, an opportunity to improve and an opportunity to succeed. Be an early adopter of change, and embrace the changes.
The forethought of leadership and the willingness of employee-owners to embrace change and do things differently drives Van Meter’s success and continues to push the industry forward. In 40 more years, the industry will look drastically different, but with an open mind, the growing amount of technology and information and a willingness to learn, I am confident you will be well-equipped to handle the change.
Create Value by Thinking Ahead
Each day, it is important for me to create value for my company, my customers and my vendors.
For example, most of my time in the industry has been spent helping customers with industrial networks, and one way I try to provide value is by thinking long-term. It is my job to pause and look at the big picture. Instead of developing a band-aid solution, I focus on designing a plan for getting the customer to where they want to be five or 10 years in the future.
Planning ahead for industrial networks is like building a house. You need a roof before you start shingling, and it makes no sense to build a two-bedroom house if you are planning on having five kids. In the same sense, it makes no sense to plan your network without having a plan and considering your long-term goals and vision.
This does not just apply to houses or networks. It reflects life as well. Instead of rushing to “fix” problems with the first possible solution you come up with, you will add more value if you think ahead and consider your goals for the coming days, months and years.
Be One Team with One Dream
I am thankful I started my career as a delivery driver and worked my way up through several positions because it has helped me recognize the value in every role. I believe you should see every person you work with as your partner. They might do something different, but they are important and valuable just like you.
For example, sales and leadership roles are important, but if they miss a day of work, business typically goes on as usual. On the other hand, if a delivery driver does not show up to work, it is pandemonium. It is trouble. It shuts things down. I am thankful that at Van Meter, we are all owners and know that every member of our team creates and drives our business success.
Be respectful. Be kind. Care for your coworkers and your team. Consider your teammates valuable and add value for them. My last day of work marks 15,865 days of continuous employment in electrical distribution. I hope you find these tips useful, so one day you can look back on your career and be as grateful as I am.

ARTICLE BY:
TIM GEISE
EMPLOYEE-OWNER, SOLUTION CONSULTANT