Alumni Profile - David Greaves

Name: David Greaves
Bates Class Year: 1980
Major: Economics
Current Occupation: Software Sales
Current Company: InterSystems Corporation
Graduate Degrees (if any) None

Where did you first move after you graduated?
Portland Maine

Why did you choose to live there?
After hitchhiking cross country it seemed like a good location- still love Maine

What was your first job after graduation?
Selling computers for Honeywell Information Systems

Why did you choose to do it?
I viewed the industry as healthy and growing and resistant to downturns/layoffs

What was your natural job progression from there?
Direct Sales 3 years; Product Marketing 3 years.
Relocated to Boston – to marry a Batesie and my wife of now 25 years.
Software sales 3 years – software sales management 15 years.

What inspired you to make your next transition?
I transitioned to software industry because hardware prices and margins were falling dramatically. Looked harder to make money in an environment where Moore’s law was in effect – computing capacity increased 30% per year and cost decreased 30% per year. (Gordon Moore founded Intel)

What words of advice would you have for younger Bates alumni going through a lot of similar choices today?
Give some thought about the industry you are going into, not just the company. Is it young or old? Will it be radically different 5 years from now? Will it allow you to branch out in five years time to another industry? Will it allow you to change companies without changing your home address?

What is your favorite part about your job today?
I work on partner sales issues can be described as creative problem solving involving people. My work is long term sales work. The sales effort can be measured in years, and the ongoing relationship can (and has) spanned decades.

What words of advice would you have for people struggling in the recent economic downturn (career advice, job search advice, financial advice, general life advice)?
I have chosen to change jobs multiple times in my career. Since I work in an industry (software) that is concentrated around a few major centers- Boston being one of them; I have been able to change jobs and take career risks without needing to change where I live. This has provided immense stability to my family, regardless of the health of the company that I have worked for.

What is something interesting that you have read recently that you would like to share?
Ben Zander wrote a book some years ago called the Art of Possibility – a business book written by a musical conductor – interesting and inspiring read.

Everyone should read and understand The World is Flat by Tom Friedman.