Speaker Insight Series - Bill Salus

• January 11, 2019
• Ciaran Walshe

Bill is moderating our Fund Admin M&A panel. M&A has been a prominent trend in Fund servicing for the last ten years. Looking forward to hearing where this is heading next week. You can read Bill's thoughts in the tenth post of our 2019 Speaker Insight Series. We’ve borrowed the format from Tim Ferriss’s book ‘Tribe of Mentors’. You can read about the book here and buy it directly here.

Throughout the book, Tim poses 11 questions to his interviewees with the request to respond to 3 to 5 questions.. or more, if the spirit moves them. See Bill's answers below:

What is the book (or books) you’ve given most as a gift, and why? Or what are one to three books that have greatly influenced your life?

Most of the books I read are cook books, which of course can be influential, but for business, I still reface on the Hedgehog concepts put forth in Good to Great.

What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months (or in recent memory)? My readers love specifics like brand and model, where you found it, etc.

A large arbor ocean fly fishing reel, which, when used, helps my general psyche and ideal for taking one away from the hectic world we deal in everyday.

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success? Do you have a “favourite failure” of yours?

Most failures, and I seem to attract many of them, are due to being shortsighted and quick to judge or solution, when I should have taken more time, trusted my gut, and proceeded more steadfastly.

If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it — metaphorically speaking, getting a message out to millions or billions — what would it say and why? It could be a few words or a paragraph. (If helpful, it can be someone else’s quote: Are there any quotes you think of often or live your life by?)

"Nobody cares what you think”, from my Mother. (What others think, is more important…)

What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made? (Could be an investment of money, time, energy, etc.)

To volunteer for my first overseas job, with no experience and only a passport as credential. The experience changed my personal fabric in every way.

What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?

I am an annoying nudge...

In the last five years, what new belief, behaviour, or habit has most improved your life?

Without a doubt: Patience.

What advice would you give to a smart, driven college student about to enter the “real world”? What advice should they ignore?

For sure: Develop character. Avoid: The narrow minded.

What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?

”It’s always been that way!"

In the last five years, what have you become better at saying no to (distractions, invitations, etc.)? What new realizations and/or approaches helped? Any other tips

Sharpening focus on the task in front of you. Accept challenge. Build teams. Be diverse. A smile always works.

When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, or have lost your focus temporarily, what do you do? (If helpful: What questions do you ask yourself?)

Where’s the wine? Or Breathe!