Alper Yurder is the Co-Founder of Flowla, a sales companion tool for modern revenue teams to keep those deals flowing.
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Let’s start with your background! Can you share with us your career journey and what you’re currently up to?
I started in consulting at Bain and Accenture advising sales strategy to large MNEs like Pepsi, Mondelez on their g2m. Switched to first quota carrying role in 2016, since then had revenue leadership roles at MindGym, General Assembly and Witco – closed +30M$ in sales in total, built revenue teams from scratch across Europe, US and APAC. Currently building Flowla from its own pain points in sales.
We’d love to know what a typical day is like for you. Could you describe a recent workday?
Sure, I’m a night owl. Which is why I like flexible working. Typically I wake up around 9, do some stretching – start working around 10-10.30 after a brisk walk. Typically work until 7 – then dinner. I have 3 times 1 hour PT sessions during the week – only time I take a break really. Many nights I spend until 10-11 working. Maybe I shouldn’t say that.
Can you define work-life balance for yourself and share with us your approach in maintaining it?
Since becoming a founder – even before to be honest – has always been a struggle. For me work life balance is not the 9-2-5 or breaks or anything like that. For me it’s having choice and flexibility on where I work and when I work. I can do 4 times all nighters, if I know I’ll be enjoying myself over the weekend or work remotely on Friday and spend time with family.
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Change is constant, and it’s essential for growth. Have you made any lifestyle changes in the past year to improve your work-life balance?
Yes. I make sure I continue therapy despite all the business. 2-3 times PT a week. Helps me take a break during the day. Saturdays I try not to work and Sundays not until the evening. I also try to start and end the day with a walk. Do lots of stretches during the day for my back pain. And try to get 1 massage a month if not more.
We’re always on the lookout for new resources! Can you recommend any books, podcasts, or newsletters that have helped you in your journey towards balance?
My therapist and my PT.
Before we wrap up, do you have any final words of wisdom or insights on work, life, or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?
Make your own rules. Health is the biggest gift you don’t realise until you lose it. Last year after my sabbatical I couldn’t walk for 4 months due to achilles tendinitis and to this day it continues on and off. You don’t realise how lucky you are until you’re deprived of something. Not just physical but mental health too.
Being in a soul draining job is horrible to your mental health. So unless you have to, look for something else. Create a life where you have choice. Being able to choose is the most important thing,
One size doesn’t fit all- make your own rules. Just because someone enjoys 9-2-5 doesn’t mean that has to be your lifestyle too.
And take breaks, during the day, month, unplug, do a social media detox every month or so, go hug your loved ones! Be present. I wish I could do more of those things.
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