Get To Know Us – Josh Byron

Every workplace needs someone to keep things running smoothly, in Sayvee’s case it’s our general manager, Josh Byron! In charge of a whole host of Sayvee moving parts, Josh’s daily tasks include managing Sayvee employees, ensuring leads are brought through the pipeline properly, ensuring clients are satisfied with their work, and more!

Bringing the spice of life to Sayvee for almost 10 years as of today, Josh brings a fun, relaxed attitude to the workplace. You can usually spot him in his “natural habitat” (aka the conference room) in meetings that he somehow was roped into being a part of. Now that you know a bit more about him, let’s take an elegant swan dive into the real Josh with our interview below.

So Josh, why did you choose to work at Sayvee?

Well, it was an opportunity to come work with some great jokers (that’s meant to be an endearing term by the way) who had some great ideas, were working on some cool projects, and were fun to spend work life with.

In ten words or less can you describe your favourite part of your job?

Delivering results, seeing clients succeed, and having fun doing it.

If you could write your own job title for what you do here what would it be?

Chief Motivator, I don’t think you can ever rest on your laurels. In our industry we need to improve and innovate to make sure our client’s results are the best they can be. If there is one thing I want to be and improve at it’s becoming the driving force that holds our team to a high standard but encourages and motivates them along the way.

Alright, now we get into the real questions. First up: if you were an alcoholic drink, what would you be and why?

Cadillac Margarita – Having lived in Mexico I do appreciate tequila and the Cadillac Margarita is a nod to the authentic with a twist to push it over the top. Kinda like me, I am not known to do anything half-ass.

What would be your perfect last meal as a breakfast?

Other than the brunch buffet from Kelowna’s Hotel Eldorado, my dream breakfast (as I wipe drool from my mouth right now) is from Chambar in Vancouver. It is Gravlax spring salmon, savory waffle, yuzu dill hollandaise, poached eggs, pea tips. The only thing I would add is a side of hashbrown… ok, some braised pork belly, just because you said perfect and not typical. Oh and it would be accompanied with a Grapefruit Radler (BNA’s Pamela Blonde Ale and freshly squeezed grapefruit juice).

Surprise! The breakfast was a ruse and you’ve been challenged to a duel, what would be your weapon of choice if it was a fight to the death?

I’d break off the end of a BNA growler and… well, you know.

On a less challenging note what’s one of your top five movies you’ve ever seen?

Not to start a political/cultural debate regarding the cast, but The Usual Suspects has always been one of my favorite movies. When I originally watched it with some friends we were close to turning it off so many times, but by the end we were saying, “That’s the best movie.” I’m gonna have to rewatch that one.

If you had to be trapped in a TV show, what show would you want to be trapped in?

Although Bachelor In Paradise (that would have been in my single days) and Keeping up with the Kardashians come to mind (definite sarcasm on the last one), I would say as a judge on Top Chef, Top Chef Canada, or any Master Chef. Which would also mean I would need to keep some Richard Simmons VHS recordings on repeat…

What would you name your boat if you had one?

What Are You Sinking About—works best if you read it in a German accent.

What’s one song that could be a soundtrack to your life?

Probably not one that many have heard but How He Loves Us which was written by John Mark McMillan, and when I heard it first, performed by Kim Walker-Smith. It is a song that I relate to in my faith and I can just belt out because it means something personal to me. However, you’ll never hear me sing it, because I only sing in front of my daughters and wife, or in a car with the windows rolled up. But I’m sure you can imagine how I would look singing it.

What’s the craziest/weirdest conversation you’ve ever had?

I actually can’t disclose who I had this conversation with because I signed a confidentiality agreement. That being said, I can tell you what the conversation was about. I worked in a hotel in Vancouver and an A-list celebrity, you would definitely know, asked me, “What am I? chopped liver?” To which his co-star replied before I could say anything, “No, *famous celebrity*, you’re Fancy Feast.” For context, I hadn’t wanted to interrupt his conversation when he was getting out of the vehicle after arriving at the hotel, so I didn’t greet him. Kudos to the unmentioned co-star who made light of the comment.

Let’s switch back to marketing, what’s one of your favourite ads you’ve seen?

I think it has to be the Maytag Repairman ads. They’re brilliant for that industry because they clearly highlight one of the key messages Maytag wanted to convey – quality. It was also a personal motto for me when I was on the board of a non-profit that worked in international development (Hope for the Nations), I always said our job was to work ourselves out of a job.

But I’m also pretty proud of the McKinley Beach slogan “Let’s Stay Home” which Mau, Sayvee’s Graphic Designer, came up with. It perfectly conveys the unique selling proposition of living in the Okanagan.

What’s one aspect of your job you’d like to see future developments for that would make it easier?

That’s a good question, I don’t know. As the marketing/advertising industry gets simplified (supposedly) it’s also getting more complex. That’s why we recommend hiring a full marketing team like Sayvee (shameless plug). So, in that way, I don’t have an answer for you, but my current goal is to find a tool to help run productive, effective, and accountable meetings. In my personal and professional life I have found that this is the key to momentum.

Thanks for the time Josh! Look forward in the coming months to more interviews with the simply superb, sunny, and smiling Sayvee team!