An experienced sales professional, Peter Hamscher worked for Mimecast from 2017 to 2024. Peter Hamscher’s last position with the company was as a team lead and senior account manager.
Mr. Hamscher worked as a data analyst with MIT from 2014-2015. When he moved to Mimecast, he started out as a business development representative. He became team lead in 2017, working with account managers to execute campaigns and conduct research on potential clients. From 2018 to 2020, he was a customer development account manager, first for small business and later for commercial accounts. In 2021, Mimecast promoted him to senior enterprise account manager.
Peter Hamscher’s most recent role with the company involved coaching, training, and mentoring the Senior Commercial Enterprise West team. He also attended meetings, generated reports, and reported to supervisors on company activities. He built a sales pipeline through campaigns, channel partners, and networking. He also built and maintained relationships with business contacts, executives, and national and local partners.
His professional interests include cybersecurity, data protection, and privacy. He also has expertise in IoT, network, AI, cloud, and email security.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Monday through Friday I get to the gym early and finish my work out before the workday starts. Once I am at my desk I enjoy having a full calendar. This includes scheduled meetings, internal collaborative meetings, or simply blocking my own time to complete administrative or miscellaneous work that otherwise would not be scheduled. Upon completion of my workday, I generally like to get outside somehow, whether it’s taking a walk with my dog or getting on my longboard and cruising through my local park. Following this, I almost always cook my own dinner and catch up on my favorite TV shows before bed.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I am a very visual learner, so I have learned over time that writing down your ideas and even trying to put things into a diagram always helps. Scheduling time to write in a journal never worked for me, but if I have an idea that needs more formal creation, actively putting it into something physical and separate from the mental state is best.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Quantum computing. I don’t think people are talking about the true power of quantum computing enough. It will entirely revolutionize the way humans use technology, which is arguably already the most important trend today.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
While these are three habits, I would say they all go together in the same theme: being active, staying physically focused, and eating healthy!
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t waste any time. You have less of it than you think.
Review your progress. At the end of the day, assess what you accomplished and what needs improvement.
Plan for tomorrow and write down your top three priorities for the next day.
Wind down. Establish an evening routine to relax and prepare for restful sleep.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Scientifically speaking, life and human consciousness was a ‘mistake’ and simply the luck of evolution. This is not depressing; it actually proves how unique and valuable we are in this very moment.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Walk. Get outside and walk around, for 5 minutes or 5 hours, whatever works for your day. Humans were built to walk, and we should be letting ourselves do so, no matter the situation.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Take a hike (literally), or just walk around outside.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Focus on never letting yourself get overwhelmed. Manage your time appropriately and set proper expectations.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Not everyone is your friend, some are business associates and colleagues. In other words, it is important to separate business from pleasure.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Some may hate this answer, but PowerPoint. There are many ways to keep PowerPoints from being borin,g and you can make presentations in a rather exciting way to keep your audience engaged and on the edge of their seat!
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
As an author, I have been most thought-provoked by Ted Chiang. He is a science fiction author who has written everything from short stories to novels to New York Times articles. He is an absolute literary genius.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Severance on Apple TV. I can imagine this is many others’ answers, but it is the best-written TV show since Mr. Robot in my opinion.
Key learnings
- The importance of balancing your personal life with your work life is paramount. Your day is always YOUR day, manage your time in ways that promote both a healthy lifestyle and a healthy career.
- Prioritize physical and mental well-being for productivity. Maintaining an active lifestyle, whether through exercise, walking, or healthy eating, directly enhances focus and efficiency. Structuring the day with intentional breaks and outdoor time helps sustain energy and clarity.
- Visual and tactile methods drive idea execution. Translating abstract ideas into visual formats—such as diagrams or written notes—facilitates clearer thinking and execution. Flexibility in creative processes, rather than rigid journaling routines, can lead to more effective outcomes.
- Time management and boundaries are critical for success. Proactively managing time, avoiding overwhelm, and setting clear professional boundaries prevent burnout. Separating personal and professional relationships ensures objectivity and long-term career resilience.