St. Joseph's Post-MBA

Wow, intense two day course in global corporate strategy in St. Joe's Executive Pharma Marketing program. Too short a time to learn much through osmosis, but it was well structured and the interaction of the class is priceless. All people from the industry. I'm a cynic about networking, feel that it is exploitative. But knowing people, and knowing the type of jobs they do is helpful. I will pursue this certificate, just not sure when. And the either or decision between the regulatory affairs cert and the post-MBA cert is a non issue for now. They are not mutually exclusive, in fact they would build on each other quite nicely.

Another Day, Another Day

Yes, it's been a week now since I got the latest Ding. But I haven't had time to focus on that negative because I got some project work going on. Which is a good Thing. It's easy to get carried away and think that this project work would continue, but let's just concentrate on today. I have two projects today which will keep me busy all week. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

Another interview

Interview yesterday at a firm that does clinical data collection software. Went well. First meeting with the VP Sales & Marketing, and things went well enough that he sprung me on the CEO. That seemed to go well, too. Though you never know. They're now in the process of checking references, which is a good sign. One of my refs emailed me back and said he had spoken with them. So that's good, I'm sure he took care of me.

The job is marketing manager, and back to the future for me if it happens. I would love it. And am already starting to think of ways to get er done.

I hope my next post doesn't read "Another Day, Another Ding"
All for now...

I received interest in my resume from a recruiter in the pharmaceutical marketing communications arena. It's an account services position, which I think I would do well at, given my past experiences. But she was hesitant because my resume really isn't an easy sell for her. After all, I've done a lot of different things.

I'm more eclectic than your typical applicant, I think. Harder to put a label on me, which is good and also bad. It's good because I don't want to be labeled as one thing or another. But it's bad because I am not an easy read for recruiters, or for interviewers really. So that is making things a bit tough. Still, I think something will work out. I am working on a few consulting opportunities in the mean time. I know that didn't work out last time, when I tried to be mr competitive intelligence. But I think if I broaden my approach to be a more general marketing services provider I might have better luck.

Another Day, Another Ding

Well, bad news from the folks at the marketing agency I interviewed with last Thursday. They felt I was weak in the marketing area. Which I called about, and heard that I didn't come across as if I had done anything independently. Which came as a shock, and I reacted angrily. Fact is, I've produced lots of marketing materials, but that was five years ago and I guess it's just not that fresh in my mind. The owner of this firm didn't like the fact that I kept talking about working in teams to produce marketing outcomes. But that's how it's done, so I don't know any other way. In any case, not the right fit, do move on.

Met today with a career counselor from St. Joe's. It was great to get some feedback from her on my job search strategies and give her a sense of where I stand, career wise. She gave me a Myers Briggs site to go to and do the evaluation, which they then link into career possibilities. Seems like a good system. And taking a step back to look at what I am a fit for, although I think I know, is the right thing to do now. I want to open up my world, and my search.

PS: Also applied for a job at Starbucks, we'll see how that goes. Could be interesting, or a real drag. We'll see.

Chow for now, MaRoHa

Well, the open house interview at Square 2 Marketing went well. A little different, definitely cost effective from their stand point. But also good from mine. Hell of a long commute, but...

There were five others interviewing, some for the same position, Marketing Consultant, some for designer jobs. From the firm's standpoint, it was a team approach, which was similar to my other recent agency interview at Digitas. But this time everyone showed up! At both Digitas interviews, the senior account executive couldn't be bothered to sit in on the interview. "Called away to a client emergency..." on one of the occasions. No explanation on the other miss.

The Square 2 crew, Mike, Eric and the rest, seems sharp (Hi gang!). Love what their doing, it's in line with the latest, and best thinking on how to run permission marketing programs. Name drops of Seth Goodin, and the E-Myth guy, so I knew they have their heads in the right place. And it shows from what they're practicing on their site and in their business. Eric talked alot about process and procedures and systems. All E-Myth stuff. Plus used the example of the pie lady who started her own shop. A good reminder, and resonated with me.

I was with another candidate for the Marketing Consultant job, Ross, and it was insightful to see what's going through another person's mind when the questions come. I know I felt comfortable because I hadn't expected to come out with some of the stuff I discussed but it all felt natural and was on topic, even surprised myself with my candid response to Eric's question of "what's your plan?" Of course, I was the third person asked this so had time to prepare, but didn't prepare to talk about some of what I did.

They're looking for a speedy turnaround on the decision for next steps with candidates. So should hear soon. They were just sitting down to hash things out when I left about 8:40 pm. Got to love that about a small business, no process delays or political BS or coordinating with some outside recruiter. Just talk to me and tell me what you think. Thumbs up or thumbs down, don't make me wait around.

Hello,

Got an exciting interview tomorrow at a marketing services agency that focuses on small businesses. A lot of what they speak about is similar to what Robert Middleton conveyed in the marketing action group I attended when I was trying to get Streamway off the ground. I think I was close to getting something going. But I don't know, maybe my focus was wrong. That the type of companies I was targeting, small biomedical technology companies, were not that interested in competitive intelligence but might have been interested in the more complete view of marketing.

Maybe joining Square 2 Marketing would give me a new way to approach these businesses. Use my contacts to build their business. Sounds great. Let's do it.

Other rejects continue to roll in though. But I'm not that worried. Something will turn up for sure. Maybe this Square 2 Marketing is the thing!

Cheers