A.J. Angus’ Post

We always talk about the necessity to align Sales and Marketing for greater success. As a marketing leader who's worked in the sales world for years, Maud is undoubtedly a fantastic example to follow!. In this interview we talk about sales & marketing alignment, the need to stay long enough in a job to learn and build things, and many other elements that can boost your career all the way to the top. Don't miss this fantastic episode of Marketing Blueprint!

Learn how our CCO, Urvashi Sheth, carved out her successful career path...you never know where you'll find inspiration. Read about her journey and more in this Q&A session.👇✨ https://ow.ly/Uo1t50Rcop0

As we Oklahomans begin 2024, we must examine laws, DEI policies, and Executive Orders. Are Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies in corporate and educational settings inclusive of Host Nations? Inclusive of American Indian Tribes? For, if DIY(Do It Yourself) DEI initiatives fail American Indians, shouldn't DEI have been canceled in Oklahoma (the home of 38 federally recognized AmericanIndianTribes)? DEI tenets require organizations to examine their operating practices with regard to how diverse their team is, how equitably the organization manages their team, and how inclusive the group is with regard to marginalized communities. Many companies in Oklahoma possess DEI policies yet fail to recognize the American Indian Host Nations in their inclusion initiatives. The glaring omission seems ironic because many of these major industries' operations are located on American Indian Reservations. DEI presents sounds-good, feels-good policies that too often fall short of serving all communities. Take the following as a case in point: A few years ago, the superintendent and Board of a large OK school district with a DEI Director, attempted to "Reorganize Indian Education and redirect funding to Student Services." The proposed illegal use of federal funding was averted thankfully by Tribal Leadership and community intervention. Had the school district practiced their own DEI policies, the attempt to disenfranchise American Indians' treaty rights never would have made it onto an agenda in the first place. Governor Stitt's recent "Anti-discrimination" Executive Order taking aim at DEI measures may be what is needed for Oklahoma to do better because until DEI initiatives and policies, including the Governor's Proposed Merit based opportunity initiative, do right by the Host Nations, there can be only the facade of equity and inclusion.

You can't do it alone! Many times, career advancement comes down to who you know. My first job in management - my professor at the time introduced me to the CEO of the company. Thanks Clark Vitulli for believing in me and giving me my first big break! My current job - a bank president introduced me to my current leader. Starting my own company - the president of a consulting firm introduced me to the president of a company I eventually partnered with. My husband just changed jobs - he called the CEO of the place he wanted to work and that CEO said, "Perfect timing. We were looking for someone with your background." He started today! Do you see a theme here? Rarely can you do it alone. Build connections before you need them. Listen and invest in other people so that they will do the same for you when you need it. How to make these connections? Intentionally place yourself in situations where you are meeting other people that prioritize high-level connections, professional growth, and career advancement. Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee, C-Suite Insights, is a great way to get ROI on those priorities. You won't meet one senior level executive, you will meet 14. You won't meet just one person that is leadership-focused like you, you will meet 29. The last few seats remain for Cohort 2. Link to register in comments below. Program starts in Nashville on May 14th. 📷 Clark Vitulli/Deborah Watts

I've learned a lot this week.  My biggest takeaway is to be less nice... If you've been following me this week, you might have noticed I'm having a bit of a tough time. Sometimes, uncomfortable situations force us to learn. Firstly, if a vehicle ever hits your house, your first priority should be getting the plate number. In retrospect, I wish I'd sprinted out barefoot, but you live, and you learn. Secondly, and what this post is actually about, during this situation, I watched a lot of people perform their jobs. I quickly realized that no one likes to be the "bad guy." Sometimes, we have less-than-ideal outcomes, and being honest is the kindest thing you can do. Maybe you're selling a product or service, but the truth is that your solution does not meet the customer's needs. I see similar things happen with hiring managers. It's not fun to tell someone they aren't right for a role, and sometimes things get stretched out longer than they should. I'll be the first to admit I've also been overly optimistic about candidates I like. It's really not fun to tell someone they aren't a fit. It's a lot more fun to be the hero who swoops in to solve a problem, but that doesn't always happen. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for someone is to let them know you can't give them what they are looking for. But you can provide them with the knowledge you have accumulated in your expertise.

“Till X happened, though I knew I had to be visible, self-promote, etc. I still wasn’t doing it because: A) I didn’t know how, and B) Though I knew not doing it was seriously hurting my career growth, I didn’t want to come across as sleazy or bragging. And then X happened. I now know how to do self-promotion and networking well, and I am visible and growing constantly. I have the tools, the frameworks and the confidence. Thank you for being the X-factor, Meera.” That’s what my client, who is a senior leader at one of the world’s beloved firms told me today. I’m sharing this snippet of a conversation because I know you may be facing this challenge as well, and I want to help you. I want you to know that you can learn how to self-promote authentically, genuinely and effectively. In such a way that the organization sees the value that it can gain from you. Which leads to promotions and bigger pay packages. Learn the art. Book a conversation with me to fast track your career https://lnkd.in/d3NfsgcW

One quick tip to boost your confidence and land your dream job? 🌟 Shift your focus from what you lack to what you bring! 💪 Celebrate Successes 🏆 Keep track of your wins, big or small, and revisit them to remind yourself of your strengths. Challenge Negative Thoughts 💭 Replace "I'm not good enough" with "I’m constantly growing and learning. Seek Support 🤝 Talk to mentors or peers for perspective and encouragement. Set Realistic Goals 🎯 Break big goals into steps. Celebrate small victories to build confidence. Learn from Mistakes 📚 See failure as a learning opportunity and a step closer to your goals. Ready to overcome self-doubt and fast track your career with confidence? 🚀 Join our exclusive Career Advancement Program and unlock the confidence you need to supercharge your career. Sign up now and get first access when doors open! We'll have 10 limited spots for Founding Members to join ✨ https://lnkd.in/gbimM2vT

You'll hear a lot of businesses say, we only hire the best engineers but what is the best? how did they get that title? did they win an award? who else competed for that award? It's easier focusing on hiring the most relevant person/people who fit in or raise the bar culturally, complement the team and can do 80% of the job. Make hiring simpler again.

Ever wondering what an events assistant does?🤔 Our weekly career spotlight series highlights the various job roles that you can find on the Black Leadership Job Board. This week you can discover what being an Events Assistant is like and if it’s something you’d enjoy

With 2024 around the corner, leaders are spending a lot of time learning about what they should own next year. In light of these things, here’s our thought on the key metrics partnership leaders should own for a successful career progression. 1. Partner sales velocity 2. Contribution to margin Tune in for a captivating conversation with Asher Mathew, the CEO of Partnership Leaders, to discuss the companies that are acing their partnership game. Watch full-video here. https://lnkd.in/gemmjXQn