The
eorgetonian G
November 4, 2015 Volume CXXXV Issue 8
GC alumnus speaks on core competencies
Last Tuesday, alumnus John Finney spoke to students about success after college By EVAN MOORE Opinion Editor At 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, John Finney came to campus to speak about his business success and to give a brief seminar on how he was able to be so successful. Finney graduated from Georgetown College in 1989 with a double major in French and Business Administration. While at Georgetown, he played football, was the President of Pi Kappa Alpha, and was the State–Wide Vice President for Young Republicans. He became involved with student government as well. Finney started the event with the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. Despite the extreme heat of Asher 112, all of the over 50 students in attendance rose. Sophomore Matthew Feltner said, “It was nice to start it off that way. It really showed us where his priorities are.” Now, Finney currently owns several businesses. One in particular researches terminal illness, particularly cancer and Alzheimer’s, among others. He also owns an international media company and
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an insurance brokerage employment opportunity. company, which is currently They include leadership, the only business in America acumen, knowledge of the to sell insurance and guarsubject, judgement, organiantee insurance for customzation, initiative and puncers when they are between tuality. Everything comes insurance providers. from these, and more, basic Finney then focused on skills. It is our duty to work how to be a better businesscontinually to better these person, and he started with skills within us; that is a a reading list. The list feagiven. tured many colloquial and “An interview can be The Georgetonian/ ABBY SMITH exoteric titles, but the pages Finney shared about how his expe- over in three minutes. They that topped it was “How to riences can help students be suc- may still ask you questions, Win Friends and Influence cessful. but their mind is made up,” People,” a common business Kinney said upon introducbook. Finney stressed his love through? Ten percent? It’s ing the topic of interviews. All for this read time and time actually closer to five percent.” questions must be answered again throughout the lecture. He also put a great amount with what he calls a STAR, He even recommended read- of emphasis on the college which stands for Situation ing it at least once every year, experience. Over and over, Task Action Results. Give to look at it with new eyes. he repeated the phrase, “and the interviewer the situation “This is a must read. You must you’ll find this at Georgetown or task that was presented to read this book,” he said when College.” He asked us 4 ques- you, what you did about it, introducing the list. tions: What are you going to and what the end result was. In fact, he praises the book be when you grow up? What Within the STAR, include how so much that he uses it as his are your goals and dreams? your Core Competencies comown guide for other people. He adamantly believed that pleted the task or resolved the Whenever anyone asks him Georgetown College was the situation. Answer the interfor business advice, he always perfect environment for us to viewer’s underlying question, requires the individual to read answer these questions with “How did you resolve that “How to Win Friends and confidence. particular problem?” Influence People” and write a Finney advised us that His main business and three to 10 page paper on it. interview advice stemmed at the end of the interview, He said, “Out of 100 people from the idea of Core Com- ask the interviewer if you’ve I ask to do this, how many petencies, which are simple answered all their questions do you think actually follow skills needed in nearly every well. If they say yes, ask for
the job immediately. “Proclaim your desire for that specific position.” If they say no, however, retreat back to your Core Competencies, and answer their questions specifically gearing them towards your skills, using the faithful STAR system. Once you’ve done so, ask for the job. Do not accept a “flimsy excuse” for them wanting to wait to make a decision. Make them give you the job then and there. In closing, Finney declared a warning of “false STARs,” stories people tell that either don’t add up or don’t matter. If someone tells you what they did without saying the end result, don’t hire them. Require all of it. Also, he added to keep all answers positive and truthful. Don’t say your favorite class was an easy one; say, rather, it was a class that challenged you. John Finney’s objectivist approach to the business world, having the mindset to go out and take what he believes is rightfully his, has given him mountains of material success. Finally, he said, “Whatever you want to be, start your journey now.”
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Wallace Station is a Kentucky restaurant treasure page 7
Georgetown Toyota to build 1st U.S. made Lexus line page 3
Women’s soccer to start postseason page 4