Day-In-The-Life Series: Jillian Flesh and the Chapter 6 Cliffhanger

We operate in a business climate where everything is needed yesterday and executives are expected to anticipate the challenges of tomorrow—yet, they make it look so easy. Ever wonder how they do it? Print+Promo’s “Day-In-The-Life” series gives a glimpse into the day-to-day experiences of print and promotional product industry professionals.

Featured this month is Jillian Flesh. You may know her as the executive vice president of Flesh Co, and Print Services and Distribution Association (PSDA) board member. She is the fourth generation of family leadership at Flesh Co, following in the footsteps of her great grandfather, grandfather and father. Jillian began her print career in the digital printing arena, working her way from the production and bindery floor to the front office. After spending several years in administration, human resources and marketing, she assumed her current role. Learn more about Jillian’s inspirational moments, what she does behind-the-scenes and, most importantly, when this mom, world traveler and top professional finds time to sleep.

October 24, 2018

5:45 a.m.: Alarm goes off … hit snooze and wait to see if the toddler heard it–she always does. Prepare for our door to burst open with a toddler shouting, “Good morning!”

6 a.m.: Peek at my overnight reports … smooth sailing … our off-shift crew are a bunch of rockstars.

6:17 a.m.: Start Chapter 6 in my audiobook on leadership (currently “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek), while wrangling mismatched socks onto the tiny, adorable tyrant feet who demanded them–like everything in life, pick your battles wisely.

7:45 a.m.: Head out the door with steaming coffee in one hand, little chubby fingers in the other; head down the block, quick squeeze at the classroom door, a brisk walk back to the house with my sweetie and then off to the office I go.

8 a.m.: Re-start Chapter 6 from the beginning on commute to work … keep it rolling on into the office.

8:10 a.m.: Look at a coworker’s PC who has a bad Case of the Mondays on Wednesday.

8:26 a.m.: Call the IT professionals. It’s beyond my expert solution: reboot. Knowing when and whom to call is my best asset.

8:27 a.m.: Shoot, I forgot to pause that audiobook. I’ll get back to it later … time for a meeting of the minds.

8:30 a.m. Check in with fellow board members, discuss events of the last few days—from meeting reviews to personnel development to equipment and program opportunities—and let our COO gloat about the Boston Red Sox progressing through the playoffs. I really am privileged to work with a group of leaders who both inspire and challenge me, despite some of their sports affiliations.

9:17 a.m.: Finally sit down to computer to answer emails, phone messages, meeting minutes and generally get my productive head screwed on for the day … completely forget about the audiobook.

10:33 a.m.: Dive into a presentation I’m working on for our front-line supervisors about finding individual motivators within their ranks.

11:12 a.m.: Head out to ship trades how booth back to plant for delivery to next show next week. Just so happens that the UPS store is right next to the kiddo’s school and it’s let-out time … stop in a for a quick hello as my mom picks her up for the afternoon.

11:56 a.m.: Sit back down at my desk ... resume Chapter 6… nosh on gourmet lunch provided by professional chef husband (it’s true and it’s absolutely a perk). Make it halfway through Chapter 6 again, but this time uninterrupted.

12:30 p.m.: Conference call with a solar power provider. This is some interesting stuff … where do I sign?

1:15 p.m.: Company stretching reminder goes off. Get up and stretch, and walk to get some water. Visit with a few employees along the way.

1:23 p.m.: Write birthday and work anniversary cards to be sent to employees celebrating in November: Three employees are celebrating over 25 years this year—pretty amazing.

1:49 p.m.: Update scrolling communication board with Employee Art Calendar Contest entry reminder.

1:53 p.m.: Review minutes from a meeting between our HR director, director of manufacturing and the Kansas Works department. We are piloting an apprenticeship program with funds available through the State of Kansas.

2 p.m.: Discuss training program and apprenticeship program with training development team. Morphs into conversation surrounding upcoming supervisor training. Pitch my motivation piece to HR ... good stuff.

2:47 p.m.: Check LinkedIn messages and requests. I’m failing at using this tool—an opportunity for personal growth for me.

3:12 p.m.: Review recent personnel performance reviews and take notes for my next plant visit … data is only as good as what we do with it. Feedback is our greatest tool in designing programs and work environments that attract and retain good coworkers.

3:36 p.m.: Check on status of TICCIT (Trees into Cartons, Cartons into Trees) program and put together timeline for project delivery. We’re finding that we need to talk to youth at very early ages about trade work as an extremely viable alternative to college or job-hopping. Plant the seed early (corny pun absolutely intended).

4 p.m.: Print year-end financials and rush out the door to pick up that adorable little cherub face.

4:48 p.m.: Kiddo and I pull some carrots from the garden and nosh on the last of the figs for the season. We gather some eggs from the chickens before the hubs pulls into the driveway of our little urban farm.

5:03 p.m.: Sneak away for a few minutes to check sales reports on my phone while the little helps chef (aka Daddy) chop vegetables for tonight’s feast. Did I mention the perks of being married to a chef?

6:07 p.m: Pour over India travel book during dinner, prepping for our next adventure this spring.

7:48 p.m.: Bedtime stories ... I refrain from reading her the year-end financials even though they’re sure to put her to sleep faster than “Llama Llama.”

7:53 p.m.: Fill her water cup and head downstairs.

7:54 p.m.: Assure her from downstairs that her cup is in fact next to her bed.

7:55 p.m.: Remind her that she did in fact already brush her teeth.

7:55-1/2 p.m.: Assure her that the dogs do not need to be fed again.

7:56 p.m.: “No, you do not need a snack.”

8:02 p.m.: Suspiciously quiet, but I dive into the year-end financials anyway.

8:04 p.m.: We’re good … I hear snoring.

8:38 p.m.: Lay financials down and remember I’m only halfway through Chapter 6. Decide that I really need to re-listen to everything. Restart Chapter 6, cuddle up on the couch while husband listens to nerdy podcasts.

9:56 p.m.: Finish Chapter 6. Perseverance!

10:36 p.m.: Lights out.