#43: Chicago, Transforming the Aftermarket, Hustle, and Amateurs vs Professionals
I looked up from my computer one day this week to realize I had no less than 8 PowerPoints decks open at once. Is this what they mean by #ConsultingLife?
That number is currently down to 3.
In this week's edition of the World's Best Newsletter:
1. Chat recap: Marketing to Marketers & B2B Brand Building Basics
2. Three things I learned from speaking in Chicago this week
3. My husband told me he was gay
4. Equifax's Chief Security Officer was a music major
5. What Were You Wearing?
6. Client Feedback on the Creation of the Earth
7. A different perspective on hustle and grind
8. The difference between amateurs and professionals
9. Quote of the week: Boobs
+ All the marketing events coming to Boston in the next four weeks!
1. Chat recap: Marketing to Marketers & B2B Brand Building Basics
PS: Hat tip for alliteration to whoever came up with this title.
I had the opportunity to chat live with Anuj Adhiya from Growthhackers (and fellow Boston Content leadership team member) on VentureApp this week, in which I shared some gems like:
What does an on-demand marketer do
What a buzz-worthy POV is
What marketers do as sport (hint: judge other marketing)
Check it out.
2. Three things I learned from speaking in Chicago this week
I was invited to Chicago earlier this past week by The Service Council to speak at their Smarter Services Symposium. While in town, I learned three really important things:
A. The generally accepted fact that the Chicago fire was started by a cow that tipped over a lantern is demonstrably FALSE and was MADE UP BY NEWSPAPERS to... sell more newspapers. Fake news.
B. Randomly on Tuesday evenings if you are in your river-facing hotel room working on a PowerPoint you are giving the next morning, you will be startled around 9:00pm by sudden and brilliant fireworks. You will think it's murder because, hey, Chicago, before realizing it is in fact fireworks. This is normal.
C. Great Marketing can transform the aftermarket service industry. Here's why.
3. My husband told me he was gay
This is a really beautiful (and funny) story about what happens after a woman's husband tells her he might be gay. She tells it on stage at The Moth, and it's absolutely worth watching.
4. Equifax's Chief Security Officer was a music major
So, speaking as a former music major (before switching to Marketing), I am all for music playing a role in personal development. It teaches performance, partnership, practice, preparation, and probably more "p" words that are important.
Oh, and math.
BUT... as MarketWatch reveals:
"Equifax “Chief Security Officer” Susan Mauldin has a bachelor’s degree and a master of fine arts degree in music composition from the University of Georgia. Her LinkedIn professional profile lists no education related to technology or security.
This is the person who was in charge of keeping your personal and financial data safe — and whose apparent failings have put 143 million of us at risk from identity theft and fraud. It was revealed this week that the massive data breach came due to a software vulnerability that was known about, and should have been patched, months earlier."
Now, she did at least have 14 years’ private-sector experience since getting her degrees.
(Note: My favorite part of this article is the caption on the photo of their CEO as he "prepares to face the music.")
Schadenfreud.
5. What Were You Wearing?
Clothing has nothing to do with sexual assault.
Yet, victims are asked "what were you wearing?" as if to imply that maybe they could have prevented their assault if they had worn something less revealing (PRO TIP, it's the person COMMITTING THE CRIME we need to address. "Boys will be boys" be damned.)
A powerful art exhibit at the University of Kansas features 18 outfits worn by victims of sexual assault at the time of the incident. Please take a moment to check it out.
6. Client Feedback On the Creation of the Earth
This is brilliant. My favorite part:
"Can we get more livestock and wild animals that move along the ground according to their kinds? Again, the passion points for our target users (slide eighteen) are ground and animals that move along the ground. Whatever we can do to increase the amount of ground will go a long way toward converting our users from passive consumers into brand evangelists."
7. A different perspective on hustle and grind
The illustrious Chris Penn writes a refreshing article on the narrative of hustle and grind that permeates today's kill-yourself-to-work startup culture.
Hey, I believe in hard work. So does Chris.
But, as he writes "the presumption that hard work must also be suffering" doesn't sit well.
I think it's entirely unnecessary -- if we are privileged enough to have a choice in the matter.
Do we need to be miserable to be successful? No. Read his excellent take here.
8. The difference between amateurs and professionals
Amateurs have a goal. Professionals have a process.
Amateurs stop when they achieve something. Professionals understand that the initial achievement is just the beginning.
Amateurs see feedback and coaching as someone criticizing them as a person. Professionals know they have weak spots and seek out thoughtful criticism.
Amateurs think disagreements are threats. Professionals see them as an opportunity to learn.
And so many others. This is a good one.
Quote of the Week: Boobs
"It is 2017, and this grown man is on my show talking with me - a female host - about boobs."
Brooke Baldwin, speaking about unbelievable circumstances in the newsroom. Read more.
Infuriating.
Thank you as always for reading, and have a great weekend.
Best,
Katie
PS: Tis the season of marketing events in Boston!
Holy schedule, Batman. I have been knee-deep in Powerpoints lately, and for good reason.
INBOUND is September 25-28 at the BCEC in Boston.
See me Tuesday 9/26 at 4:15pm and join Boston Content that evening 6pm-9pm, location announced only if you're on our email list.MarketingProfs B2B Marketing Forum 2017 is October 3-6 in Boston at the Westin Seaport.
Email me for a $300 discount (I only have a handful.)
I'm speaking on 30+ Ways to Create B2B Buzz at 10:15AM on Thursday, 10/5. You should also check out client Allocadia speaking at 3:15 on Wednesday 10/4.MarTech Boston 2017 is October 2-4 in Boston at Hynes Convention Center.
Catch (client) Allocadia speaking alongside GE Digital on Tuesday 10/3 at 11:15am, and the brilliant Hally Pinaud speaking with Marketo, date/time TBD.
I'll also make an appearance at Hypergrowth by Drift on 9/25 if you're planning to attend.
Love to meet up with you during these shows, let me know by replying here.