So each week – though the last few have been a wash out thanks to pesky client meetings – I do some training for the office.
Whilst it is supposedly about planning, the reality is that a lot of what we talk about can easily be transferred to many functions within the office … from how to manipulate a conversation through to how you can start identifying insights.
Anyway last Wednesday I ended up spending some time with Map – an absolutely fabbie suit we have here who is also a trained horticulturalist, though why I mention that is still open to debate.
Putting aside the fact that she pointed out I started in advertising the same year she was born [HOWTHEFUCKDIDTHATHAPPEN!] the thing I love about Map is her attitude.
One thing that really bothers me is how many people go into jobs focused almost exclusively on their pay cheque.
Actually what bothers me even more is that some people believe that because they went to university, they’ve paid their dues and are now entitled to the big salary.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuge supporter of education but just because you have a degree doesn’t mean you suddenly have all the answers to the Universe.
But Map’s not like this.
Sure she would like to have more cash in her pocket and have more responsibility, but she wants to earn the right to get that so what she does is ask questions, explores stuff and basically has a go.
What this all means is that not only is she a fantastic person to work with, but she’s likely to go far because in the future she’ll be able to prove her value to an employer and/or client rather than just talk herself up and have it all crash down the moment she has to deliver on something specific.
Basically what I am trying to say is that I’m quite old school.
You see I don’t really care how long someone’s been doing their job or where they’ve done it … I’m far more impressed by what they’ve done, tried or failed which is why I tend to favour people who have lived [and live] a life, rather than just an advertising lifestyle.
So here’s to the Maps of the World, we need them more than ever.