I remember, quite distinctly, sitting in a restaurant at least ten years ago having one of our regular Friday night dinners with a gang of girls who all worked in the marketing industry around Leeds and wondering out loud if this was the start of a new Old Girl’s Network. I’ve just realised that it … Continue reading Hurrah for the Old Girl’s Network
Category: Planning
why do we promote people out of what they’re good at?
ITIABTWC posted last week about whether a great Creative was made up of the same stuff as a great Creative Director and therefore whether seeing one as the natural progression of the other was actually a sensible idea. It strikes me that it’s the same in lots of other disciplines, including Planning. It’s a good … Continue reading why do we promote people out of what they’re good at?
yet more straight talking advice for aspiring account planners (part three)
I’m still being contacted regularly by aspiring account planners (thanks for getting in touch!) and it feels like my series of Straight Talking Advice for Wannabe Planners is due for another instalment (if this sounds like your kind of thing and you haven’t done so already, read part one and part two first). This time … Continue reading yet more straight talking advice for aspiring account planners (part three)
What are you an Unlikely Expert on?
I had dinner with some Lady Planners last week and was telling one of them that next time she needs to buy a particular item of furniture she should give me a shout, because after a massive project for a retailer I am now an expert on the subject. I then realised that she has … Continue reading What are you an Unlikely Expert on?
Planner teach thyself
Since my last employer went through a fairly wobbly time in the 18 months prior to my departure there wasn’t any spare cash for training. So it struck me the other day that I’d probably gone three years without attending a formal, face-to-face training course. Which doesn’t do much for the whole Continuous Professional Development … Continue reading Planner teach thyself
the Planner’s technical toolkit
When I went freelance, one thing I hadn’t really considered was just how much technology and equipment I’d need. You take for granted grabbing a Dictaphone from the cupboard or hunting down an artwork bag from under someone’s desk. And there isn’t a handy Planners Shopping List you can download anywhere with a list of … Continue reading the Planner’s technical toolkit
Don’t yell, Storytell
Based on what’s been on my mind this week I was debating whether to blog about Storytelling or Why Communications is about (doh!) Conversations not Shouting – then I realised they were basically the same thing. I’ve been revisting the text of Jeremy Bullmore’s 1972 speech to Kraft, titled ‘The consumer has a mind instead … Continue reading Don’t yell, Storytell
if it was my money…
‘If it was my money I’d…’ has to be one of my most over-used client-meeting phrases. But there’s a good reason why - especially when you’re dealing with Outside London sized marketing budgets it’s easy for clients to try to be all things to all media channels, and master of none. I’d always advocate for … Continue reading if it was my money…
Straight talking advice for Grads who want to be an Account Planner – part 2
Looking through my old blog posts recently, I came across this one from two years ago, dolling out some (very) straight talking advice for Graduates who fancied a career as an Account Planner. On reflection, I think I missed out a fairly important point, so I thought it might be worth a follow-up post: Start … Continue reading Straight talking advice for Grads who want to be an Account Planner – part 2
There’s no business like new business
More than for any other specialism, the First Client Meeting or New Business Meeting can be particularly challenging for Planners. Account Handlers can communicate their excellence by being all organised, professional and empathetic. Creatives have their showreel and the option of a ‘challenging’ personal style statement to fall back on. Meanwhile the Account Planners have … Continue reading There’s no business like new business