Tag Archive for: landscape

The Art of Networking (Part 1)

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Fall not only kick starts back to school for the kids but also marks the start of a renewed calendar of events from businesses and organizations. From happy hours to speaker series to galas, these are all opportunities for networking and meeting new people.

For me, the meaning of networking has evolved significantly throughout my career.  Early in my professional life, I didn’t network at all.  As LinkedIn become more prevalent, I was keeping in touch with many of my colleagues, but not actively or consciously focused on cultivating my network.  It wasn’t until I left my role at Sonic and was actively looking for a job for the first time that I really felt the importance of networking. Although unintentional but lucky, I had been amassing an amazing network over the years.  In fact, an enormous part of my current network is people I met or worked with during my time at Pepsi…and many of them have gone on to do other great things.  Now that I have launched The Marketing Posse, my network is key to my business.  The people that know me and have worked with me are the ones most likely to hire us.  I landed my first large project with Clear Channel Outdoor as Interim CMO as a direct result of someone in my network; thank you, Matt!

Networking sometimes has a bad rap with the connotation of being superficial and a lot of “work.”  In reality, it is the simple process of building relationships which is critical to growing any business.  No man/woman is an island – and networking helps you not only get business but identify the right resources who can help you once you get the business.

I cannot over-emphasize the importance of networking, but how do you get started?  Here are some tips that will lead to networking success throughout your career:

  1. Take time to keep in touch with people and nurture it – your network is a result of what you make of it…these are YOUR people.
  2. Don’t assume anything, you never know when you may need someone’s help or they may need yours! Networking is not a one-way street.  The strongest relationships are the ones that are mutually beneficial.
  3. Stay current – LinkedIn is a really efficient way to stay in touch, so make sure your profile is up to date. Congratulating you on an anniversary for a job you are no longer in is a bummer.
  4. Always answer comments/emails/phone calls…always. No one likes to be blown off and they are reaching out, so reach back.
  5. Ask for help – most everyone wants to be supportive – take advantage of that and don’t be afraid to speak up when you need a recommendation or introductions.

At The Marketing Posse, we know how important connecting with the right people is. We thank our current network who has helped get our business where it is and our future network for helping us take it to the next level.  We also offer workshops and training programs that are a great platform for networking and meeting new people.  Come join us and expand your network! There is never a downside to meeting new people. Look out for Part 2 of this blog which will get down to the nitty gritty of “how to network”.

Cheers!

Danielle Vona

danielle@themarketingposse.com

 

The New Marketing Landscape Is Here to Stay

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Everyone knows the marketing landscape has evolved significantly in the last 5-10 years, but it seems like some marketing organizations haven’t “evolved” as much as they have “revolved.” Traditional marketing organizations are at a loss for talent as restructuring, cost cutting, and turnover have become more prevalent than ever before.  Newly minted graduates and millennials are more interested in being part of the “bigger picture” and they are inspired by the startup world.  Interestingly enough, despite the significant growth of small businesses and startups, these organizations are not only financially challenged to hire seasoned marketing executives, but often times aren’t really sure what they are looking for.

It’s not uncommon for brand marketing, e-commerce, customer acquisition, CRM, social media, and an exhausting list of skills to be expected of job candidates today. Marketing roles are becoming more complicated, paving the way to a sea of grey area. With the turnover and instability in marketing leadership, younger marketing professionals often lack the leadership and mentorship that would help them grow and develop their career. It comes as no surprise that the life span of a Chief Marketing Officer is less than 2 years…so, should you feel accomplished when you hit that 24- month mark?

The truth is, this new marketing landscape is here and it’s not going to get simpler anytime soon. Our goal at The Marketing Posse is to act as an extension of your marketing department. We understand that some organizations need the “Worker Bees” but can’t afford the “Queen Bees.”  That’s why our team is here to provide strategic business planning, brand positioning, marketing solutions and talent development at a level that works for you.  The Marketing Posse gives you:

  • Access to senior level talent when you need it
  • Experts with multiple talents in today’s world of endless channels
  • Flexibility to staff each project with the level of talent it requires
  • Customized scopes to develop and execute plans your budget can afford

We can help support your team with consistent leadership and guidance, without a full time price tag.  Let us work with you evolve when and how you need to.

 

Danielle Vona

danielle@themarketingposse.com

 

 

 

It’s a Journey, Enjoy The Ride!

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Try thinking about your career growth as a road trip.  You have a destination, although you may not always know exactly what it is.  You need a map to guide you, but going off road is ok and can be fun.  The vehicles you drive are the jobs you have and the companies you work for.  Your mentors are rest stops where you can check in and ask for directions.  There are four key lessons I have learned through the journey of my career path; these may not apply to everyone, but they sure did apply to me.

 

Be Great.  Many ambitious young professionals are worried about how to get promoted.  They are focused on how fast they are going to move up in business and what their next role or promotion will be.  Concentrating on being great in your current role is the best way to get you noticed.  Building your personal brand equity will get you where you want to go faster than anything else.  Be highly proficient at the job you are in right now.  Create future demand for yourself by being known as a GREAT professional today!

 

Be Visible.  Make sure your work is visible to the right people. Volunteer to sit in on meetings and be a part of teams working on important initiatives. Be a team player in those situations so that your contributions to meetings and teams are valued and recognized.  Volunteering to be a mentee/mentor can offer up higher visibility and personal growth. Before you know it, you will be driving those important initiatives.

 

Be Yourself.  Every role in your career will be an opportunity for your personal growth and development.  Take advantage of the wealth of knowledge in the people that surround you, leadership, peers, vendors, they all have something to teach you if you’re open to the lesson.  And, when difficult experiences occur (and they will) try to be in the moment and appreciate the value the experience has to offer.  These difficult experiences are often more valuable than the easy or enjoyable ones.  Use the learnings to map out the kind of leader you genuinely are and want to be.

 

Enjoy The Journey.  We are often so focused on planning our destination that we miss the value of what’s happening right now.  “I don’t know where the time went” or “stop and smell the roses” are classic examples of missing the moments and living for tomorrow.  This has held true for me for the last fifteen years.  Every role, and every project I’ve been part of, are the twist and turns of my journey.  Don’t get so focused on the destination that you miss all the cool experiences you have along the way…they are the best part!

 

As you think about the development of your own career, where you have been, where you are now and how you get to where you want to go, remember to celebrate your accomplishments, be a strong team player, use your authentic voice and enjoy the ride!  The Marketing Posse is a resource for people and businesses passionate about career development and mentorship. Providing one to one or small group mentoring sessions, leadership and guidance on real time issues and initiatives, helping to build teams of talented and motivated individuals through customized training and development, and facilitation of training workshops on branding, marketing, and leadership.

 

To learn more, contact:

Danielle Vona
danielle@themarketingposse.com

Big dreams need bold action. If you’re ready to elevate your brand and partner with a team that’s all in, we want to hear from you. Let’s connect and see what we can create together.

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Big dreams need bold action. If you’re ready to elevate your brand and partner with a team that’s all in, we want to hear from you. Let’s connect and see what we can create together.

Connect

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: The Marketing Posse, 2243 Steven Street, Clearwater, FL, 33759, themarketingposse.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
We’re always creating, connecting, and making things happen. Let’s stay connected. Join us and unlock the possebilities.

Swing By

685 Main St, Ste C
Safety Harbor, FL 34695 USA

crew@themarketingposse.com
+1 (727) 755-6780

Be Social

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