Do you want to show up more creatively for your clients and your colleagues, your family, and your friends?
Do you want to default to thinking about opportunity versus focusing just on problems?
Discovering Hope is full of proactive steps you can take right now, to achieve a more positive mindset or to help maintain the positivity you already have
Getting Positive reveals that more optimism is close at hand
Stuart Parkin
Job Security and Career Opportunity – One Key Step
One word I hear much of when talking to clients and candidates today is ‘uncertainty.’ Budgets are being trimmed and with them, jobs.
Whether you have full-time employment or freelance work, fundamental for your career security and success is ‘personal agency,’ defined as
‘Thoughts and actions taken by people that express their individual power.’
Key is having a clear understanding of what you know you want to learn, to achieve, to impact, so that you can proactively work toward achieving these things.
To use the language of creative agencies, write your own ‘brief,’ not for use with creatives, but for anyone that can help you manifest your ambition, your goals.
The best strategists have a clear sense of agency and so do things ‘on purpose!’ Those that struggle, are often either passive, reactive or their efforts to bolster their job prospects are intermittent.
Relying on your boss, your work, even your reputation to secure your existing role or a new one, ignores the champion of success, proactivity, on and off the job. Reputation/quality work alone should be enough, alas reality tells a different story.
Some steps we can all take to enhance our own security and opportunity are outlined below. Think about these in the context of your own agency, passive or proactive or perhaps, haphazard.
Enhancing your chances of Job/Work security:
1. Stay close to the money/cashflow –
2.Be easy to work with
3.A all times, be proactive, known to be the bearer of solutions if not, fresh ideas.
4. Value add beyond your own work – Enhance team effectiveness or the culture of the place you work
5. Ensure that those that make decisions know the value you create.
6. Have a strong relationship with clients.
7. Work on the most profitable accounts.
8. Work on accounts where work sees the light of day.
9. Work on accounts where the best creative is delivered.
10. Work on products/services that are more recession-proof.
11. Have an open line of communication to your boss/people that make financial decisions.
12. Focus on your current role but find time to build connections elsewhere.
13. Extrovert/Introvert – Whatever you are, be known for being a positive/’can-do’ person everyone wants around when the going gets tough.
Remember, at the end of the day, it’s not your health (although health insurance is a worry in the U.S.) it’s a job.
Any others, you’d add?
Positive thoughts and hear for you all any time,
S
SPARKIN Works with Bernardos to Promote Empathy
In 2021 SPARKIN began working closely with Barnardo’s, to develop a 10-year, UK-wide award program to promote the power of empathy and its ability to transform young lives.
A big thank you to the hard work of Barnardo’s staff and particular thanks to Chris Alexander and his team, who has made possible the establishment of an award that will expose over 150,000, 13 -19 year-olds, to a message designed to inspire, engage and empower young people to act empathetically.
The first award winner, judged by a mixture of service center staff and children, assessed nominees against criteria including:
#Showing the ability to be present for others in both joy and sorrow, bringing no judgement and a spirit of openness when communicating with others as well as treating others with dignity and kindness.
We’re excited to announce the first recipient of the ‘Shepley Empathy Award,’ is Ryan, a 13-year-old from Merseyside (identity protected for legal reasons) who will receive a plaque along with a cash prize of 1000 pounds ($1300). “Well done Ryan!”
All nominees will receive certificates of recognition and thanks. “Well done to all of them too!”
“Children and young people are both the hope and inspiration for the future. At Barnardo’s, we want to support them to make the change they want to see. We are pleased that ‘The Shepley Empathy Award’ is a vehicle for them to be recognized and celebrated. – Christopher Alexander, Relationship Manager, Barnardo’s.”
For the last decade, SPARKIN has advocated the importance of empathy in the advertising/communications business, creating the ‘Parkin Empathy Award’ for the strategic planning community.
The importance of empathy in advertising is key but absolutely pivotal in the development of all children, particularly those in care.
We hope to continue to bring this award to other areas of society.
#empathy #barnardos #effectivecommunication
Parkin Empathy Award Winner
Many congratulations to Quinn Husney, the newest Parkin ‘Empathy’ Award winner and the recipient of $1500 cash prize and three coaching sessions.
I spoke with Quinn and all the other students, a really thoughtful and dynamic group. Congratulations to all the students: Saad Al Abbassi, Mariona Iturrate, Luciana Gutsztat, Molly Brunett, Emma Stearns and Jennie Wang.
A big shout out to all the lecturers who I know from talking with the students, inspired and brought about newfound confidence:
Chris Kwak, RP Kumar, Mario Moiso, Christopher Owens, Yvette Quiazon, Kristen Knape, Tony Smith, Alejandro Oszjust and Imani Flowers.
At SPARKIN, we would like to see many more empaths in the world.
The ability to work seamlessly and effectively, starts with a determination to understand the perspective of others.
This ’empathetic’ gene is key for effective strategic problem solvers as it is for a functioning society!
This award was judged through input with both students and the lecturers, not the school.
A final thanks to Manolo Garcia, the fulcrum around which the boot camps happen.
#parkinempathyaward #MiamiAdSchool #inclusiveeducation #careeroptimisation #sparkinsearch #empathymatters
All 31 recipients: https://lnkd.in/esGMV5Hb
Freelancing Without a Gameplan
Much advice has been written about how to prepare for freelance, primarily focused on the mechanics. But what about the often-overlooked element, strategic consideration as to how freelance will advance your career? It certainly can if you have a clear perspective on your growth. Key:
Know thyself – Be honest with yourself about your strengths/weaknesses. Freelance work does not have the built-in support structures often available with full-time work.
Your Personality – If you are self-confident, go-getting, happy fronting up, like new business/chasing, that’s good, as you will spend relatively more time hunting compared to full-time.
Preferred Working Style – Freelancers often work on discrete projects, are often kept at arms’ length and don’t see completed work.
Support Networks – If you prefer working solo, perfect. If you don’t, work well without support networks you may struggle.
Tolerance for Uncertainty – The recent freelance landscape has seen an abundance of work but the business landscape is changing. If you have a low tolerance for uncertainty/a real need for steady regular income, freelance might not be optimal.
Work Flexibility – One of the biggest reasons for freelance. But, unless you have a range of clients, you may well end up being beholden and have little more flexibility than when you worked full-time.
Positive Psychology – Unless your life is primarily focused on non-work goals, whether full-time or freelance, a lack of genuine career plan will in time make for real pressure. Alternatively, knowing where you want freelance to take you, will enhance your mental state.
If you feel you are getting the learning/experience you sought when starting to work for yourself, great, what are your next growth areas? If you aren’t learning new things, it might be time to reassess either the work you are taking on or working as a freelancer.
As ever, happy to talk with any of you about the potential career building opportunity that under the right conditions, freelance can deliver.
Job Opportunities 07/22
If you know of anyone looking for full-time or part-time work, some of the below opportunities are full-time and some temp to perm.
- Director Strategy – NY-based creative agency – 190K
- VP Strategy – NY-based healthcare agency – 180-200K
- Freelance – Director level – London creative agency
- SVP Strategic Growth – NJ-based healthcare agency – 250K
Preparing to Freelance
You’ve decided to leave your current job
Growth – On some level you’ve stopped growing so you need to move but, you’re unsure where to work next
Work (and so your life) is out of control – Freelance is the preferred path where you chose what, where and when you will work – This feels like the break and transition you need.
Prepare for Freelance Realities
You don’t always get the work you seek although by definition, if you’re running your own business, this will make you grow! And in terms of control, whilst you chose what you work on, when you do freelance work, this can become all-consuming.
Key Freelance Challenges
Getting Work – In Spring 2022 getting freelance work is not a big challenge/there is plenty of demand. But, with the war in Ukraine, rapidly rising inflation, pandemic uncertainties etcetera, all of these things are bad for business confidence, and with it, there’s the threat that the torrent of freelance now could become a trickle by summer. Before you leave your current job for freelance, consider the following:
Cashflow – Take the pressure off yourself by ensuring you have six months salary in the bank so you have cash flow, so you can enter the freelance world not feeling like you have to have work immediately/be forced to accept work you’d rather not do.
Connections – Getting your first freelance work can feel scary without the safety blanket of existing income. Work your connections/networks so that ideally there is a specific need/freelance to work on already lined up.
Reputation – Those that become long-term freelancers do so for one of two reasons and often both. First, they have a reputation for great work and being straightforward to work with (I can talk at length about this!). Second, those that love the hustle of new opportunities and better, working on pitches, exponentially increase their marketability.
Feeling Excluded – If you haven’t worked for yourself before, this is a common reason why strategists don’t remain freelancing for very long. As a consultant, you are empowered to choose what you work on and are often better paid/per hour. On the flip side, your work is often in isolation, the type of work is often discrete projects which see no obvious output; And be prepared to be treated at arms-length by in-house teams. Key to consider – Know why you’re freelancing! Have a clear sense of what you gain by working for yourself (too often this isn’t thought through) and this will empower you for the inevitable trade-offs that freelancing requires. I’m happy to talk through.
What one piece of advice would you give to those considering freelance?
All the best,
Stuart
Job Opportunities 04/22
If you know of anyone looking for full-time or part-time work, some of the below opportunities are full-time and some temp to perm.
1. Director Strategy – SF-based creative agency, Salary >190K
2. VP Strategy – NY-based healthcare agency, 180-200K
3. .Freelance – Director level – London creative agency
Past Newsletters
A Great Strategist Is…
As we approach March 2022, the marketplace for great strategists has never been better, if you’re a strategist!
Buyers Market – The shortage of great strategists, (due to a lack of agency investment in training over the last decade/agency models increasingly focused on project-based work/plus many strategists post-covid deciding to hold back from full-time roles) means this really is a buyers’ market
How to be in demand in a tough job market?
Part of the stress on demand in this jobs market is that not enough strategists have the core skills that are in demand. The key for being in demand at all times (not just this market) is to focus on core habits and skills that make for success, year in year out.
Effective Strategists? – What do those that have achieved long-term success believe makes a strategist effective? We’ve been asking your peers. Some suggested critical thinking, others persistence, a sense of humor, new business expertise. Also highlighted, ensuring that strategy was owned not by the strategist but by the team. Four key themes emerged.
Learning- a desire both to develop your skills and to have the curiosity/belief and love of fresh perspective deeply instilled. (B.Thomas/Meta)
Exciting the audience – However good the perspective, effective communication will always be key. (J.Daly/Droga)
Great EQ – Do you understand and manage your emotions in an optimal way when interacting with others? Real empathy is an elusive ability. (D.Giannantonio/Wunderman Thompson)
Empty your cup – Whatever your understanding or experience, knowing that there is always more to learn allows you to show up as one of your peers suggested, with a ‘radically open mind,’ or ‘Don’t let expert instincts overshadow creative instincts’ (A.Raig/ Saatchi)
What do you think is key for career success as a strategist?
For now,
Stuart
Job Opportunities 02/22
If you know of anyone looking for full-time or part-time work, some of the below opportunities are full-time and some temp to perm.
- Director Strategy – SF-based creative agency, Salary >190K
- Director Strategy – SF-based BTOB agency, Salary >200K
- SVP Strategy – NY-based creative agency, 300K
- SVP Strategy – NY based healthcare agency, Salary, 250K
Past Newsletters