Monday, Feb. 02, 2009

20 Under 40 profile: My office is a small SUV

Clay Owens makes good use of the time he spends driving around South Carolina as the district sales manager for Yankee Candle Co. That’s when he does his community work. He talks about how he organizes it all.

When I left New York City and returned home to Columbia more than three years ago, I started working for Yankee Candle and was assigned South Carolina as my territory with 11 stores.

Being in Columbia, I was very fortunate to be in the almost exact geographic center of my territory. From Columbia you can get anywhere quickly on the interstates.

In a busy week, I will spend about 18 to 25 hours in the car. Over a month, I average about 4,500 miles.

That’s a lot of time inside a Ford Escape Hybrid.

In addition to all of the stores and corporate responsibilities, I work extensively with theatrical and charitable groups throughout South Carolina.

A monetary contribution is always welcome, but I find that I can make a bigger impact by planning and executing fundraisers and productions that will raise money for the various groups.

I brainstorm, fund-raise, organize and publicize events for a number of Midlands groups.

My life has become a matter of how I can multitask and make the most of all that time on the road.

As with anything, the foundation for any business and philanthropic ventures is organization.

I am old school. I use lots and lots of paper. Sorry, but having to actually write it down and see it on a pad to remind me — and ultimately to have the satisfaction of striking through it when completed — is just what works for me.

In any case, whether you do it on your iPhone, Blackberry, Day Planner or whatever, just sit down and make a list of priorities.

What do you absolutely have to get accomplished that day?

Whom do you need to call?

What do you need to respond to?

What appointments do you have?

What’s on the shopping list for the day?

I spend no more than 10 minutes actually getting thoughts on paper and then about 15 minutes getting everything I will need for the day or week into the car to have at the ready.

Being able to juggle my work and community life is a big deal.

I travel with two phones — one for business only and the other personal.

When I’m at a store, it’s all about candles.

Only once I am back in the car do I switch to the personal phone and start listing all the missed calls and voicemails.

Using my list — I can return calls and wrap up issues as I start the drive from one store to the next.

My car actually has an organization system as well to make my vehicle my “home away from home.”

The front seat serves as a great organizer that holds files, basic office supplies, papers, and the notes and reports that I need to deal with that day.

The console has all the iPods, music, aspirin, digital cameras and snacks. That’s my basic travel kit. I want to be in the position to keep moving except for gas fill-ups.

And at any given moment, my vehicle will be filled with boxes of candles or piles of costumes, or even trays of food and cases of drinks.

Sure, sometimes my car looks like the Beverly Hillbillies have come back from Las Vegas with boxes and crates topped with feather boas and rhinestone costumes.

Even so, I know where it all came from and where it is all headed by the end of the day. I pack according to my stops for the day so I don’t have to fumble around for things.

Here is some more of my organizational credo:

• When organizing and prioritizing, keep in mind your goals and destinations for the day. And do this when you have a moment with a clear head to think it over, so you’re not making plans on the run, which is not always the most efficient use of your time.

• Keep a clear focus on the task at hand. Worrying about a community involvement while at work is only going to cause you double headache. Focus on the moment you are in and be able to switch gears when appropriate.

• Work to have your entire task list cleared out every day. Start fresh and take pride in the accomplishments of the day. It’s fine to be your own cheerleader — if you made it all happen, then by all means celebrate it.

• Most of all, keep a balance. It’s not just about work or community involvement. You have to make time for you. Get rest and take care of your mental well-being. Put that on your “To Do” list.

Trust me: If you are happy, then everybody around you will be a lot happier too.

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