“I help the first- or second-year financial advisors keep track of the people they call,” Zach explains.
“In our business, you have to make a certain number of phone calls, you need to meet with a certain number of people,” says Luke. “Zach has a system that he plugs all the information into.”
ot only does Zach help keep his coworkers organized and efficient, but he keeps them motivated, too.
“He really lifts up the office,” says Luke. “There’s a lot of rejection in our business, and it’s good for our advisers to interact with someone who has different experiences in life and to quit feeling sorry for themselves.
“One of the worst things that people can do in our business is approach our clientele with their mind already made up about how the meeting’s going to go or what’s going to be important to the client,” Luke continues. “Our job is to understand people before we jump to conclusions. Having a diverse workforce breeds that open perspective.”
Don’t miss the boat.
Luke wishes more employers would follow Northwestern Mutual’s lead; he encourages them to “look at Northwest Center like any other employment service. “The boat’s getting missed,” Luke emphasizes. “The stories coming out of Northwest Center show how profitable these relationships can be, like any other good employee-employer relationship. You just have to find the right person.”
As for job-seekers, Zach’s advice is the same as his work philosophy: “Just be yourself,” he says, “and work hard.”
Northwest Center is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization. We envision a day when all people have the same opportunity to learn, work and enjoy a fulfilling life. From birth to retirement, we support people with disabilities.
This story was originally published as part of Northwest Center’s 50th anniversary project: 50 Stories Worth Sharing