know when to quit

I recently discovered my love of snorkel and my fear of scuba. I went to a Club Med resort for a week of all-inclusive beach fun. I had researched local options for scuba certification but I didn't want to give up two full weekends. It made sense to try it in some of the most beautiful waters in the world.

I went to the first classroom class, passed the first written test and got to the first set of pool skills. As soon as I put my face in the water to breathe through the regulator, it felt so foreign to me, I immediately felt anxiety. I couldn't imagine breathing like that in the deep end of the pool, much less 40 feet below the ocean surface!

I tried to relax and just breathe. The exhale was just to much of an effort and too weird and scarey. I knelt down and performed the skills: filled my mask up with water and cleared it; took my regulator out of my mouth, continued to exhale, then put it back in; and pretended to be out of air, used my buddy's extra regulator and gave the 'thumbs up' sign to go to the surface.

When we stood up I said "I think I need to quit." I had to trust my gut. Scuba just wasn't my thing. Even though it would have been cool to sky dive and get scuba certified in the same year, I was scared and didn't want to do it! So I quit and spent the rest of the week snorkelly and loving it!

I think it was a good lesson to both listen to and trust my gut. Whether it's that little voice that speaks to you as you leave for work that you forgot your lunch or that gut feeling to go for it and pitch that new idea at work, or call that special person and ask them out for a date! Listen to and trust your gut.

Green Pinkie?

Yes, I am growing grass from seed. A few weeks ago I did the “Weed Be Gone” to kill the giant patch of crabgrass that had taken over my backyard. Once the crabgrass was dead I dug it up with one of my Cutco knives. I have to say, digging up the weeds was very therapeutic, a weird metaphor for weeding the negativity in life. And now, growing grass from seed…planting more thoughts of positivity and possibility. Feels good.

BrandManageCamp

Remember going to summer camp as a kid? How it got you away from your regular friends, the same TV shows, the same board games? You spent more time outside, tried things like archery, canoeing, arts and crafts. You made new friends, kept the old, some were silver, the others…gold.

Well, it’s funny, BrandManage Camp had a similar affect but from a marketing perspective. It got me to consider ideas outside the walls of my office, the parameters of my brand, and the idiosyncracies of the MLM industry.

Here are a few of the highlights:

David Meerman Scott, Real-time Marketing and PR
This guy was my favorite. I bought two of his books. It was 100% relevant because of the impact of social media and how easy it is for consumers to get their voices heard…and how easy it is for a brand to ignore their consumers and get thrown under the virtual bus! He suggested you appoint a Chief Real Time Officer, in charge of Now. Love it! Quick example, when Paris Hilton got caught with drugs in Vegas recently, the Wynn hotel followed with a press release banning her from their property (in real time). For the minimal cost of the press release they received over 5,000 hits and press pick ups!

My second favorite fella was Jeffrey Hayzlett, former CMO of Kodak, seen on Celebrity Apprentice. He gave real-life examples of successes and failures from his days at Kodak. He empowered all marketers in the room to ‘cause tension’…as marketers we are here to be change agents. He shared the Kodak value prop statement:

Only Kodak creates emotional technology that makes it easier to make, manage and move images and information so people can strengthen relationships.

Love the higher good, the higher purpose of the brand.

Dr. Neale Martin’s topic was “The Force of Habit: The New World of Consumer Behavior.” Think about it, how many of the items you buy at the grocery store are simply because of habit, not because of brand loyalty. I grew up with Karo syrup on my panny cakes. Mrs. Butterworths may taste better and have a higher percentage of unaided brand awareness blah blah blah. My habit and my choice is Karo.

I love a good marketing conference that gives you new perspectives and re-energizes what could be. Good times.

Why join the AMA?

Do you love or at least enjoy marketing? Do you read articles, blogs and books about marketing? Do you attend webinars and conferences about marketing? Do you enjoy networking with other marketers? Do you need new and fresh ideas to keep your marketing current? If any of this applies to you, you should join the American Marketing Association (AMA).

Monthly luncheons: The St. Louis Chapter of the AMA sponsors these. They offer current, relevant and interesting topics; speakers who can hold your attention; lively networking conversations and delicious lunch from Maggiano’s Little Italy. (Yesterday we heard from Richard Daniels and Seth Burgett of Yurbuds…the 9th most promising company as noted by Forbes Magazine.)

Free webinars: In the last two weeks, I attended a webinar on SEO and Social Media Marketing to Women. I frequently bring my lunch to work anyway, so I shut my door, log on, listen and learn.

Free virtual conferences: In June I attended the AMA Virtual Conference on Marketing Research. What a jackpot this was! Two of the sessions I attended (basically webinars) were completely relevant to a major initiative I am working on in my current position. These presentations were ‘live conference’ quality with well-established speakers.

I downloaded the slides from one presentation on global consumer trends and presented it to the team of executives working on our branding. This was the kind of secondary research you would pay more than the AMA membership fee, just for that one study.

After one session, we were invited to visit a virtual networking area. The first 60 visitors would receive a free copy of the speaker’s book. A $30 value, for free…more adding to the ROI of my AMA membership fee! (Once I finish the book, you will see me blog about it!)

Free content: At marketingpower.com, the official website of the American Marketing Association. White papers, best practices, newsletters, journals, magazines etc.

In just a few short months I feel like I have more than paid for the membership fee through these value-added items above. The new knowledge and content is making me more successful with my work and re-energizing my love of marketing.

Stepping out of your comfort zone

A year ago when I started my new job I had no idea how many new experiences were in store for me. The craziest, most exhilarating one to date was speaking on stage at our international conference to a crowd of 2,500 people.

The topic was our sports sponsorship and healthy living initiative. Along with my team, I was involved in setting the strategy and the launch of the program so it was an exciting and familiar topic. My name was suggested to lead the segment during a meeting that occurred without me! Ha! When I found out I was both horrified and flattered.

I’ve given marketing presentations to groups of 10 to 150 people. I’ve done community theater and mystery dinner shows to audiences of 100-200 people. I was very nervous and did not sleep the night before . This was completely out of my comfort zone. And while I did not ask for the microphone, it was an incomparable adrenalin rush and personal test.

I’m very grateful to have found this position that challenges me to grow as a person, a marketer and business woman while allowing me to show my personality and acrobatic skills. Did I mention I exited the stage after successfully completing a wicked cartwheel?

Note: I have to credit my art director/photographer, Amie Schilson, on this photo that makes me really look like I know what I'm doing!

Networking for professionals in transition

Last night the St. Louis chapter of the American Marketing Association held a speed networking event. In a little over an hour I met about 30 people, roughly half of which were in transition. Having been in their position a year and a half ago, I want to help them in any way I can. I actually enjoy networking. I love meeting new people, hearing about their background, company, expertise and their own story.

My first question to a professional in transition is “What do you want to do?” You would be surprised how many people don’t have a clear answer and are in the grey area of “I’m not really sure” which translates to the helpless feeling of “I just want a job.” Not to discount the frightening feeling of being unemployed, but just because you are in transition, doesn’t mean you have to settle and just find a job…this can be an opportunity for you to find the job doing what you really, really want to do.

My advice is to take the time to do your own introspection…and really think about what your ideal professional position would be. Write it down. This is a huge opportunity. Describe your ideal industry, company, culture, boss, colleagues, team, position, responsibilities, location, salary etc. What do you want? This may be the opportunity for you to finally get it. Why not?

So you get to a networking event and meet someone like me who really wants to help you, now what. When you describe your ideal job, I will do my best to connect you with people in my network at the companies on your list, or with people who work in your target industry, or who have the kind of position you are seeking. That’s a much more efficient use of your networking time, getting you closer to your ideal position.

You don’t have to settle but you do have to know what you want. And I want to help you get it.

Note: I am a board member of the St. Louis Chapter of the AMA. I highly recommend joining. You will meet smart, connected people and have access to exclusive content (webinars, virtual conferences, white papers) via the national AMA website marketingpower.com. Well worth the investment. Our next luncheon event is September 16 at Maggiano's by the Galleria. See you there.

Eat Pray Love

I’ve read the book twice and saw the movie last night. Loved it. Love the idea. It’s so easy to get stuck in your routine of life and lose yourself. Go to work, pay your bills, eat at the same restaurants, shop at the same stores, drive the same streets.

Not everyone can afford to take a year off and explore like Liz did. Skip the salmon and splurge on the carbonara; try a new bottle of Italian wine; have a conversation with a total stranger; sprinkle a new topping on your popcorn at the movies; buy a painting from a local artist; take a different path when you walk your dog; leave a waiter a $5 tip on a $7 bill; eat a hand-made lavender truffle from a local chocolate shop (kakao at Shenandoah and Jefferson); stop in to see your niece and nephew just to give them a hug.

So that was my weekend, how was yours?