Thoughts on Marketing
Mentoring vs Managing….
[Originally published as The Marketing Mix newsletter on Substack]
What’s the difference between Managing and Mentoring?
Beyond the textbook definitions, I’d argue that you can manage anyone, but that mentoring is reserved for someone with potential. Someone who you believe has the attitude and the talent to grow beyond their current role.
Hiring the folks with that potential – and then giving them the guidance, the encouragement, and the development opportunities. For me, that’s one of the best parts of being a marketing leader.
It also means you have to be happy – truly happy – when they choose to leave the team. So long as it’s for a better opportunity, where they can spread their wings, and continue their marketing journey.
When that happens, I continue to cheer them on from the sidelines. #StevesAlumni
And now “a word from our sponsors…!”
…followed by a few words about sponsors (Superbowl ads)
A Marketing Mentor
Many of the business owners I talk to tell me “My marketing manager is great…but they lack experience.” So in a small company, where does that person look for mentoring and advice specific to the ‘Art of Marketing’?
That’s why I’ve launched the Marketing Mentor Program. I work one-on-one with your in-house marketer – providing tactical advice, strategic frameworks, and development resources. To help them push your marketing to another level, and at the same time, grow their own marketing skills.
Sounds interesting? Let’s chat!
Dunking on the Superbowl Ads
Swifties may have just discovered the Superbowl, but for marketers, it’s always been a much anticipated event. A chance for us all to critique the big money ads, and tell people what we would have done better.
Where has all the creativity gone?
Why should we care about random celebs shilling for whatever brand will pay them?
And how many ads was Tom Brady actually in?!
Given past experiences though, this is the comment that made me laugh out loud:
I guess there’s still a few CMOs and CEOs who wanted to rub shoulders with the GOAT (which in my world is actually Messi ⚽ , not Brady 🏈).
Drink of the Week
A Speakeasy that’s also a 1940s London Tube station? Sounds like my kind of place! So we headed “underground” last weekend for a cocktail or two…
The drinks not only matched the theme, but they were tasty. My favourite was the ”Off the Rails.” And I also have to give a shout out to their Winston Churchill, if only for the glass it came in!
Now, I’m not normally a fan of overly complicated cocktails with too many ingredients. But the Off The Rails was worth it:
Woodford Reserve bourbon, Ardberg 10yr scotch, Aperol, Cascara vermouth, ginger switchel, simple syrup and lemon essence
So if you’re in London, and you’re thirsty, I suggest you go Underground.
If you’ve enjoyed this article, please consider subscribing to The Marketing Mix newsletter – my thoughts on B2B marketing, sent out every 2 weeks.
Cheers!
Steve