The Top 10 things I've learnt

As 2019 and the current decade both draw to a close I thought I’d use this time to share some of the key things I’ve learnt both work wise and in life.

1. Not everyone knows what good marketing actually is Marketing is such a broad term

For me it revolves very much around clients, understanding and championing their voice as well as articulating clearly with smart messaging and campaigns that resonate with what your product or service can bring to them. Easily written down but not that easy to do well.

2. Marketing has to focus on outcomes and value to the business

Marketing needs to be more focused on business outcomes and value to get a voice at the top table. Running brilliant campaigns that cause an impact on the people most likely to buy/influence that ultimate purchase. When it comes to B2B there could be loads of people and it'll take time to hit that goal.

3. Marketing should permeate all parts of an organisation

Let’s face it everyone in an organisation should be your keenest advocates and in a way your salesforce so making sure that they understand your brand, how to articulate it in everything that they do and why it stands out should always be your main internal priority.

4. There’s no such thing as a job for life

Sadly no one is indispensable so we all need to make sure that we’re ready and set up to start looking for a new job as you never know when that next restructure or strategy change will hit and where you’ll sit in the new hierarchy. This is particularly important if you’re not part of the core skill set for the organisation e.g. support functions such as marketing, admin and finance.

5. Keep your skills and knowledge up to date

You won’t regret this one, the world of work is changing at such as fast pace, new technology, approaches and game changing solutions are coming in constantly so it’ll pay to not just keep up but to get ahead of the curve. Plus, couple this with point 4 and it pays to always stay ahead to keep yourself at your most employable.

6. Redundancy and restructuring is now just business as usual

Sad but true, redundancy/restructuring/strategy change is becoming way more common place and dare I say it business as usual. So, it’s something we all need to get used to dealing with and not viewing people who have been made redundant as lepers.

7. Inspirational leaders really can achieve anything

I’ve had my fair share of bosses and one thing I’ve really learned is about the power of an inspirational leader – they have vision, grace, often their own disciples/fan club but they also have a way of garnering support and you want to do your best for them. It’s amazing what happens when you have a good boss. Cherish them as there are so many awful ones out there.

8. You don’t need a big budget for great marketing

Just a great idea I still recognise the power of a great marketing idea. It doesn’t need to be an all singing all dancing campaign with buckets of cash thrown at it – the best marketing campaigns I remember always stem from a brilliant idea. So, remember there’s always a place for creativity, design and a fantastic narrative.

9. Be brave

Careers and life are no longer linear so as I’m learning, listen to your gut, be brave and embrace it. You never know where you’ll end up but that’s half the fun.

10. Stay connected

Old and new friends, colleagues, acquaintances are your own personal network so look after them and do your best to maintain them, you never know when you may need them and vice versa.