We continue the Best Advice Q&A series with Elizabeth Parks, president and chief marketing officer of Parks Associates. She reveals the best advice she’s ever gotten, gives tips to young security industry pros and names the source of her business wisdom.
Security Sales & Integration: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Elizabeth Parks: Don’t go shopping for apples in the hardware store.
SSI: What advice would you give to those looking to achieve success in the security industry?
Parks: Be persistent enough to outlast challenges and trustworthy enough that people want to work with you again. Those two qualities will take you further than talent alone.
SSI: If you could point to one person in the security industry and tell up-and-comers, “Make sure to listen to what they have to say,” whom would you pick and why?
Parks: I greatly value the perspective and learning from Morgan Hertel, Peter Giacalone, Jeff Atkins and Don Young – all industry greats. In addition, John Mack is someone I listen to closely and someone who is always focused on the business and money sides of security market.
It goes without saying, Tricia Parks, founder and president of Parks Associates and my mom, is who I am constantly listening to.
The experience these individuals bring in understanding how the security markets work is incredible and there is always something new to learn. The reason their insight is so valuable is because all of them have helped build, grow, and/or track these businesses across decades of time.
Click here to check out all entries in SSI’s Best Advice series!
