Five Questions with Tyler Hirlinger
In our Five Question series, faculty at the University of Kansas School of Business share their insights, experiences and advice for students.
Lecturer Tyler Hirlinger received his bachelor’s degree in business administration and MBA from the University of Central Missouri. He previously was an instructor for sales and marketing at the University of Central Missouri, where he also coached the sales team. His professional background spans medical sales, sales and marketing consulting, and a current role with an M&A advisory firm. Hirlinger also serves as an area industry mentor for the Marketing and Business Law academic area.
What got you interested in your field, and what is the most rewarding part of being involved in it?
I first became interested in sales and marketing because of the interpersonal nature of the field. I loved the idea of combining my interest in business with my natural enjoyment of connecting with people and building relationships. I also love the creative aspect of marketing! I find the process of discovering outside-of-the-box ways to solve problems very fulfilling.
What is your favorite part about being a Jayhawk?
I’m not sure I have a good answer to this question yet. My father played football at the University of Missouri; so having grown up in a Mizzou Tiger household, I’m very much still learning how to be a Jayhawk.
That said, I’ve found the pride among the KU community quite inspiring. Once the excitement surrounding March Madness rolls around, I’m sure I’ll quickly become a proud convert.
What would you see yourself doing if you weren’t a professor?
I have consulted with several startup companies during my time teaching. So I like to think that I would be working for an exciting startup helping it develop strong sales and marketing departments.
What advice would you give your college self?
This one is easy. I would tell my college self to stop wasting so much time watching Netflix and start reading as much as possible! While I still feel the pull to watch a good television series, spending more time reading than mindlessly watching continues to have a positive impact on my personal and professional lives.
If you could require students to read one thing before graduation (outside of your class reading), what would it be and why?
This is a tough question. I suppose if I had to choose one for my sales students, it would be “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss. It’s about negotiating and is filled with actional interpersonal advice that applies to a range of situations. For our marketing students, there’s a cool book called “A Whack on the Side of the Head” by Roger Von Oech. It is filled with exercises and thought experiments to develop your imagination and creativity.
