FARRYNHEIGHT’s Post

Want to know what career opportunities are available at SMG?🚀 Introducing our Career Journey Series where we'll be sitting down with SMGers to discuss their career journeys and experiences at SMG. We are proud to follow a unique progression and development model at SMG, our approach is performance-driven and allows our people who are showcasing exceptional skills and achievements to be rewarded and recognised. We also understand that career progression and development aren’t always linear - it can go in many different directions 👈👆👉 We encourage SMGers to explore opportunities in different areas, helping them to gain diverse experiences and expand their skill set in unexpected ways. 📈 Whether you're shifting roles to explore a passion, seeking new challenges, or simply eager to diversify your expertise, we encourage lateral moves as a pathway to personal and professional growth. 👋Meet Karis Lonsdale, who started SMG as a Client Executive on the Co-op partnership back in 2017 and is now a Senior Strategy Manager as part of the Strategy team, a change which saw her move into a whole new specialism. We caught up with Karis on her new role and what drove her decision to make the switch… 🔗 Click on the link below for the full blog! #careerjourney #development #progression

In a consolidating market, successfully acquiring and integrating other consultancies / competencies is key. The ingredients: Head (the right targets), Heart (winning the people behind the company) and Hand (integrating successfully). Very seldom, everything comes combined in one person - but Jana does the trick. Looking forward to working with you in your new role. Almost half of our 2028 ambition will come from acquired companies - so no pressure - but a world full of opportunities 🚀 ♻ 😎 ! #headhearthand #circularvaluechains EMZ Partners H&Z Management Consulting H&Z.digital aneon solutions - A h&z Group Company rpc - The Retail Performance Company

18 years ago today I started my journey in this industry. I was recently married (in March of that year) and coming off a stint as a missionary in Namibia. I needed a job and a friend mentioned he knew someone who was hiring. I had no idea what I was in for. That connection started my time in the Grocery Brokerage/CPG Industry. The stops in this story have been: Store Door Merchandising to Harlow-HRK Sales & Marketing to Impact Group to Acosta Group, it has been a ride. That wasn't me leaving for greener pastures, by the way, that path was all because of mergers and acquisitions. Those acquisitions meant learning new skills, facing new obstacles, trying new things and meeting new people. There have been many things that I never would have thought I would do or even be interested in. Fortunately this journey opened my eyes to new skill sets I didn't even know were in me. I've learned a lot over the last 18 years and have a lot more to learn. Technology is changing at a rapid pace and that is allowing me to learn new things yet again. Here's to the next 18, the next task, project, obstacle, learning opportunity, new thing to tackle and connection to make!

Promoting from within is more than just filling a role—it's about showing your team that growth and opportunity are genuinely on the table. When you elevate your existing talent, you’re not just finding someone who can do the job; you’re investing in someone who already understands the ins and outs of your company. They know the culture, the quirks, and the goals, which means they can hit the ground running with less of a learning curve. Plus, there’s something incredibly motivating about seeing a colleague rise through the ranks. In the long run, promoting from within builds a stronger, more cohesive team. It shows that you value your people and their potential, and it creates a culture where continuous learning and development are not just encouraged but expected. It’s a win for everyone involved—employees feel valued, and the company benefits from their deeper commitment and expertise. Congratulations Kate Foley Stitt!

GREAT TRADES, cont… I recently joined Amer Sports after three decades in financial, consulting, and accounting services. It's my first job at a company that makes actual things since working at White Mountain Creamery ice cream shop when I was in high school. And we make cool things at Amer. My first baseball bat? Louisville Slugger. My first glove? Wilson A2000. My first skis? (wooden) Salomon cross-country skis. The beautiful forged golf clubs I would stare at for hours behind glass at the Leo J Martin pro-shop? Wilson Staff irons. And although I didn't discover Arc'teryx during my youth, I'm obsessed with it now. My Beta jacket goes with me everywhere, on and off mountain. Beyond the fact my childhood self would be psyched to know where I work today, why did I join Amer? My top 3 themes as a Softlines analyst were Sports, Luxury, and Brands. This is Amer in a nutshell. With consumer touchpoints across skiing, tennis, hiking, pickleball, snowboarding, climbing, trail running, padel, baseball, après ski, etc, ours is an ultra rare portfolio of luxury sports brands. And each brand is legit, defined by long-standing leadership in technical innovation, pinnacle performance, and top quality. The analyst in me also appreciates a catalyst, and we have this too thanks to a 180-degree transformation into a decentralized, brand-centric business model that began in 2020 under new management. I am energized by our ambitious, entrepreneurial, and collaborative culture, especially with so many growth opportunities. It reminds me fondly of my early years at ISI Group, when we were in build & grow mode every day. Excited to see how my latest career trade plays out!

🎉 Celebrating a Year of New Beginnings! One year ago, I made the bold decision to leave my previous position. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t achieve the progress I wanted. I lacked the support to lead effectively, faced dishonesty, and often felt undermined. This journey taught me five invaluable lessons: 𝟭. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: A supportive company culture is crucial for success. Leading a team and achieving goals without the necessary support and resources is challenging. 𝟮. 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘆: Experiencing dishonesty from various organizational levels taught me the importance of integrity. Trust and transparency are fundamental to a healthy work environment. 𝟯. 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗢𝗻: Understanding when a situation is no longer beneficial is vital. Recognizing when to move on for personal and professional growth is also important. 𝟰. 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺: Despite the toxic environment, I had a fantastic team. Their dedication and talent were highlights of my time there. I miss them and the good moments we shared. 𝟱. 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: This experience made me stronger and more resilient. It reminded me that there’s an opportunity to learn and grow even in challenging times. In one year, I have created a much healthier and more productive environment for myself. Plus, I can travel more. 😀 Here’s to new beginnings and striving for a positive and impactful career! 🚀

Good day my fellow Linked In warriors! I am having an amazing day as usual and I am controlling what is in my power and less focus on what I can’t. Not to be overly dramatic but I nearly lost my life in November of 2023, but DO NOT feel sorry for me as this is the best thing that has ever happened to me ever and it is not even close. I am married for only 26 years so far and we have 2 incredible good hearted, smart, responsible daughters 16 and 18. After this situation was resolved and it was sure scary, my attitude, mind set and outlook of the world, people and career have morphed and changed in remarkable ways and it is like a gift everyday. I am so excited to share with you my story, our story because I just know someone needs to hear my message today. As far as my career goes I am working for Kroger, an incredible company with so many incredible human assets. I particularly enjoy being the best partner for associates, be the best manager I can be and yes, delivering “legendary service” to every single guest. Kroger has treated me like a King, however with my new mindset I no longer believe this is allowing me to take full advantage of my splash zone, at least it feels like that to me. A Store Director is admirable to be sure, but I have a lot to offer and I want to use my remaining 20-30 years (we really don’t know) to make a difference to as many human beings as I can. I don’t mind saying I desire to be the best human being my mom raised me to be and we need me 😉 for now than ever. For all former managers and associates, I was never as good as I wanted to be or you hoped I would be. I wanted your validation and often I let you down. Yes I have high standards, yes Regional Director and home office visits used to really stress me out because in retrospect my confidence was not where it is now and I fully acknowledge and yes embrace my faults. Connie, Eric, Rochelle, Irfan, Brandy, and so many more, I would do several things differently starting with clearly communicating my language as to what I need to be successful, I will never repeat that error. I am focused on what I CAN Do, not what I cannot. I am constantly prioritizing to ensure my big rocks come first down and all of the minutiae last. I always start with my mental well being, my health and the people I love. Finally for now, I am searching for the best opportunities of my life, I have to tell you I am special and rare and you want me on your team as I will bring you energy, kindness, caring, a positive impact on morale, legendary customer service, profits and FUN.For the rest of Linked In universe feeling like “this is 30 minutes of my life I will never get back” sorry, not sorry. I am taking my valuable time to write you and share from my heart. I sincerely appreciate you listening to me and I really hope this might touch some of you in some small way. Join me, go out and make it happen! I challenge you to smile and make others do the same. “What you got?”!

One third of the team are promoted EVERY year... That is without fail... You really aren't alone at the minute if you feel unsure on whether you're getting promoted. You can bet its frustrating, especially since you've done everything you need to do, right? Or so you was told. Every year someone makes their mark and gets promoted for it. You will know exactly what you need to do to get promoted. You won't be sat there thinking if you have done enough. Zero empty promises, you will have all the info on how to step up. Not only that, you will be with the best. So, you won't feel siloed you will be with people that will broaden your knowledge. Cheeky snippet of a few clients on the pic. But, you can expect A LOT more of the biggest brands in the world. You might not actually be on the market. That's because you're sat their being looked after. But, you might be looking at this and thinking. "Connor might be on to something here" Then lets make sure we talk. Because you won't get any pressure from me. All you will get is a conversation about your career and how we potentially can better it. And if we can't right now, we know exactly how we can in the future. Drop me a DM or my email is below.

Today I am losing my job. At least part of it. While I have been the leader of BRINK for going on 6 years, I have also held the dual role of Creative Director. Today a weight is lifted (or added?) and I am now just CEO. As a creative agency, we live and die by the quality of our work. At the time, I didn't trust anybody other than me to be the one that defined it. Yes working two jobs for the price of one was hard and it occasionally bred resentment between me and the business. But I did it and you know what, I did pretty alright. I became great at my craft because I had a situation few people get: the freedom to do almost whatever I wanted but the safety of an already established and strong foundation to fall back on. I got to see for myself what conventional wisdom is actually wise and what's just conventionally broken because people are either thoughtless or gutless about it. It's been a fun, burdensome, rewarding, challenging, illuminating, defining phase of my life. Now as I enter a new phase, so do several others at BRINK and that brings me immense pride. A little more than 2 years ago it became clear to me that my friend and creative colleague Malcolm Critcher was The One™. The person who I not only trust to take over our creative operation, but to eventually do it better than I could. And a person who has the quality of character that Christopher Beauchemin and I would want to join us as a business partner and owner, which was important to me for whoever sat in this role. After two years of methodically working on a transition behind the scenes it's here and I couldn't be more confident in Malcolm, even more so because he is joined by the promotion of two brilliant creatives in Reed Chandler and Andrea Osojnik as his Associate Directors. I'm still going to be consulting with our clients and I'll be an occasional creative mercenary on the team, but I now get the space and energy to focus on us in ways I haven't been able to in the past. We are a very good agency, but underrated and under the radar. My new imperative as "just" CEO is to make us not just a great agency, but a great media brand that impacts our culture from all directions — brands, content, film, art, experiences — while living up to our mission of promoting a more humanist marketplace. In the past, I've been able to move our pieces one round at a time. This is day one in earnest of me getting to actually examine the whole board and think more than one move ahead. Game on.