Thursday, June 5, 2014

My Day Job

The last three days at work have been a test of my time management skills and a little bit of my patience - but we made it to Thursday and hopefully the downhill slope of my busy week! 

Many of you don’t know what I do for a job and sometimes I’m okay with that. Because if you knew you’d think I’m a nerd and maybe a little crazy. 

I work for a sports and fitness company in Portland, OR any guesses? and my title is “business analyst”. 

Simply put, that means that each and every day I’m living in Excel spreadsheets. I run reports, I look at numbers, I use complex formulas, I create macros to manipulate data with the ultimate goal of making the numbers to pop off of the page as a “story”. A “story” I can share with cross-functional business partners to help propose business decisions and drive a conversation. 

Hate me yet for how geeky I am? Even that paragraph annoys me. 

The thing is that I love this kind of stuff. Sure I go cross-eyed over spreadsheets just like the rest of you do, but I’ve got a bit of a knack for making numbers mean something to anyone. Fortunately it’s natural to me and I happen to enjoy the work I do. I get the “flow” when I’ve got my headphones over both ears and my fingers are flying across the keyboard with pivots, calculations and “storytelling”. 

The first three business days of every month are the most challenging as my primary reporting responsibility is to set the shipping goal forecast for how many shoes I expect to ship in the upcoming calendar month for the entire country. It’s a science to put together the math projection (in millions) for units and dollars I’m expecting over the next 30 days, but the really fun part is my opportunity to sit in front of some important people and share the “story” I’ve come up with. 

I feel valued, I feel trusted, I feel like an expert, I feel respected, I feel intelligent and I feel confident when I’m given this opportunity and I know that I’m kind of a nerd because of it. 

Wait, then what do I do for the rest of the month? 

I track my progress against this goal and get involved in other high-visibility, high-fun projects that keep me pretty busy! 

Be jealous, I dare you!

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27 comments

BLovedBoston said...

That sounds like fun and you work for a company that you actually believe in the product - so that makes it even better!! Smarty pants over there!!

Amanda - Voyage of the MeeMee said...

Just thinking about all of those numbers make me want to suck my thumb and break out into a cold sweat! haha

Chelsea @ Delipsch said...

The ultimate accomplish in life is finding something that makes you happy and excited to work each day. Cheers to you and an awesome job.

Amy's Fashion Blog said...

You work for Nike. I know this b/c you award said just do it and that Nike saying. So happy you enjoy your job.

Kathy@MoreCoffeeLessTalky said...

heyyyyyyy fellow BA! actually, i'm a BA/SA (systems analyst) but in the IT industry. so instead of numbers, i work with systems and XML data and database tables and that grossness. by grossness, i obviously mean awesomeness because IT geek stuff gives me a major geek boner. the documents i write are technical specs and it's lots of talking and conducting meetings which is why when i don't have to talk, i wont. too much talking!

i love finding out how business analysis skills are applied in other industries; i've only worked in the IT field so all i know are technical specs. also: i would die if i had to crunch numbers because i'm a total dummy in math!

-kathy
Vodka and Soda

Jenn said...

It sounds like it's complicated, but also kind of a fun challenge. And all that matters, in the end, is that YOU enjoy doing it--that's the key to being happy at your job, for sure!!

Lora Ashley said...

Hey I took accounting and actually enjoyed it so no nerd hating here! As long as you enjoy your job!

P!nky said...

WOW, look at you rockstar, that's so awesome. I'm glad you like what you do, that is so important!

Kristen said...

damn girl you are just hardcore all over your life. seriously. i dont hate you for your geeky, dont hate me for my stupid ;)

Gabrielle Reece said...

Sounds pretty fancy to me! I don't even know how to work excel.

Kay R. said...

Love it!!! I hate numbers but yay you for loving them. I never described what I do as an attorney on the blog but if I went through my day to day in court and 'fluency' in British,Canadian, Caribbean, US and commonwealth law and if I start to speak in legal jargon people will mostdefinitely think Im a bloody nerd (and annoying) haha.

Lets embrace the inner nerd girl. Im sure you worked HARD for it so dont ever be shy to say it!!! Proud of ya and go YOU!

Amanda said...

Numbers and I do not get along that well. Someone has to do it though, and at least you like what you do. So many people don't these days, and it's kinda sad.

MakeMeUpMia said...

I think it's awesome that you work for a company doing a job that you love!!

Him & Me (But Mostly Me) said...

Your mom gave away the company ;)

Such a smart lady! Now I know who to message when I have a math question!!!

Lexalicious said...

your job sounds pretty awesome. feeling valued and respected is such an under-appreciated quality -you don't realize how important it is until you don't have it!

Helene in Between said...

sounds like you've got a good thing going!! being valued is so important.

Rachel @ Love, Rachel said...

Love this post! I secretly know where you work!

Brittney, Breaking Free said...

Math is my nemesis so there is no way I could do that! Kudos to you for doing a job you love :)

Amanda Elizabeth - Meet @ the Barre said...

so do you get any free swag.......

justmeng said...

I did give Nike away ... "Shit Mom Says" and Nerds rule the world!

Kate @ Another Clean Slate said...

I work with a lot of people who think like you and am always envious. My mind just doesn't work that way!

brooke lyn said...

and this is why you'll go farther in your job than i

Unknown said...

I love your description! I also LOVE that you are a NERD! There is nothing better than someone who loves what they do that much!

Amanda* said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Amanda* said...

Sooo jealous, actually! I worked for Nike (did I guess, right? ;) for 3 years and only moved on because my husband is in the military and we moved to Florida (we have since moved to SoCal). I know first hand how awesome it is to work for that company! I still have lots of friends who work there and one day I WILL RETURN! That's my goal anyway--when my husband retires in nine years. Yikes, nine years. Shoot me now. ;)

Kasey Lynne said...

wait, explain it to me again?? ;)

you're a badass.

Kenzie Smith said...

That's so great that you love your job! It sounds pretty nifty, but my eyes would cross with all of the numbers ha ha.
P.S. I nominated your for the Liebster Award :)
http://www.mylifeandlemons.com/2014/06/the-beloved-award.html