Thursday 16 January 2014

Step One: Admit You Have A Problem: I'm addicted to Business & Marketing posts and articles.

Step One: Admit you have a problem.
I admit it. I am addicted to reading and understanding Business, Marketing, Branding, Human Resources, Corporate Culture, Industrial Organization, and Social Media posts, articles, and documentaries. I read articles about image, and hiring, promotion, content, and costumer service. I watch TED talks about it, joined You Inc. subscribe to Smartbrief and CB Blog, and participate in all sorts of small business, entrepreneur, and relationship building twitter chats such as #RBChat and #MomBizMondays. as well as UPS, Dell, and Visa Small Business chats.
I know what you are thinking, what is so strange about that? I am just eager to further my career and "brand" myself. I would agree had I not been and continue to be a Stay At Home Mom for more than 18 years with no plans whatsoever of returning to the work force. I have not hired, trained myself or anyone else, served, promoted or marketed myself, a product or service in years.

All that being said I feel I can add some real value in these conversations, and have real insight. I listen, observe, question, research (via all those articles, posts, infographics), all sorts of people, brands, and PR reps about how they hire, market, and train. I plant ideas and prompts into conversations to see where they can lead. I listen to friends and family who are working, watch documentaries, the news, social media, and links shared on LinkedIn. I mull over this stuff for days, link and share that which should be linked or shared. I question that which should be questioned.

I am often a sounding board for ideas, and issues my working friends and family have. I give a different perspective. I am creative both in an artsy way, and the way in which I think. Sometimes I use this knowledge I have acquired to convince a school council if you cook and bake it they (aka parents) will come, and single handedly organized a pot luck for 400 people. I told you if there was food they would come. Oops, my bad it was 2 potlucks, 2 years in a row including giant media boards (10 of them) of school activities and areas of interest ( Just Saying....). Luckily for me in the second year Jazzy6178 aka Elaine was my partner in crime. This collaboration only heightened the flow of creative ideas, making Potluck Part 2 an even bigger success, and calling for a bigger venue. This included the addition of science fair projects, music by the members of the band and guitar club, and an information scavenger hunt (answers to be found on the media boards), for prizes donated by local businesses. 

More recently I started to share and interact on social media and this blog, which as you may have guessed, has done nothing but further my addiction. I am a sharer and linker in real life, I always have been. For this reason I have often played the role of the unofficial source of information; aka the knower of things. It is a recurring theme in all parts of my life both personal and professional. So many of the lessons learned in life apply perfectly to the business world, because in the end it all comes down to people.
Step One: Admit you have a problem.

Some interesting Links:
Smart Brief - SmartBlog on Social Media 
YouInc.com Blog
Jeff Bullas,com
Collective Bias CB Blog
Ted Talks 
If you have some great blogs, websites, or links to feed my addiction please share them with me in the comments section. Thanks for visiting! 

Yep, me Cathy thinking out loud about stuff.

8 comments :

  1. Lol! I love your title!!! But in all seriousness you have a great talent for marketing - you are a fantastic with interacting with readers and brands. You are only going to keep growing!!

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    1. Thanks Carla! I so appreciate you taking the time to read and comment on my posts. I was born a Chatty Cathy, but I think my listening skills could use some work. I find that social media allows me to develop them. You can't interrupt the same way on social media as in real life. Gives me time to think about response and interaction, which is a good thing for me.

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  2. I have to agree with Carla, you have a knack for communication :) I love interacting with you, keep up the awesome work and it'll all come together for you!

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    1. Thanks so much for the kind words Jason! The feeling is very mutual. In the end it is all about the people! Good people like yourself and Carla!

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  3. Well said Cathy, we are two peas in a pod and I have always enjoyed working with you. I know you are able and will take this to great success. When you put your mind towards things nothing stops you.

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    1. It is always more fun with a partner in crime....art crimes. I have been laughing about the curtains for the Musical Board all morning. LOL Indeed two peas in a pod!

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  4. there are so many tabs open on my laptop that are all articles..my computer is going to explode. What's worse is a husband who does the same and now all we talk about is marketing and business articles...

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    1. Kerry...just a reminder the first step is admitting you have a problem, because if Chrome crashes you are in trouble LOL I like to watch the Ted Talks with my Hubby. It is pretty interesting stuff, but sort of sad that this is my hobby,

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