The feeling you get when you are the new person at the office. Not just any office, but Corporate. This is my first time working directly in a client’s office to manage their social media brands. I have to admit – there are many limitations when it comes to working for Corporate — I’m not upset that the red tape is there; I just become a bit frustrated because when the red tape is removed – the solutions that I’ve developed to implement, may no longer be valid.
This is my first time in a box — my cubicle. I call it a box.. because it reminds me of a box – You sit in your space and work all day. As an entrepreneur for my whole life.. I never sat still. I worked out of my office in downtown Detroit – or different cafes, art galleries and special places in Detroit. I like to keep moving – my mind works better that way. So my box has a few of my painting prints to add a bit of color to my day. I’m really enjoying it so far.
Social media changes constantly; which is what entices me about the space — I live, eat, work, breathe and play in this space. I understand this space better than anyone I know.. I understand so well because I constantly ask my network what they want to see, provide me some feedback and ask questions. I reach out to businesses for blog post features, video chat panels, press passes to write blog articles for their event and many – many TRAVEL opportunities. This social media space has changed my life — it brought awareness to my talent, my disease, my struggles and my passions.
Gotta Have Patience
It may take time to make new friends at the office — I’m already feeling like my social media services can support many of the recruiters; especially in social media recruiting. If there’s one thing that I’ve learned over the years is to remember: BUSINESS is business – I’m not here to make friends; I’m here to do a job. I arrive early at 7:30AM – hardly take lunch breaks longer than 30 minutes and stay until 5:30PM each night. I like to stay longer so my commitment shows value in my job.
I’m a motivated person — I sit beside the door so when people come in & out – I say hello, who are you? Nice to meet you. I make conversation in the hallway, elevator and sometimes bathroom – when it’s appropriate.
Everything I do, I do it for a reason.
I don’t save minutes – I save seconds. I create a TO DO list every morning for my brand and the brands that Im working on. You wouldn’t expect me to shut my brand off? Never – I would never leave my readers.. you keep me alive!
I spend all evening on myself- like tonight for example -It’s one o’clock in the morning. I’ve been u p since 6:30AM — work all day.. I went to a networking events in Downtown Detroit to build my brand. I came home to upload photos and recap my thoughts in a blog. I need to spend my Friday / Saturday wisely to complete all of my work, schedule my blog posts ahead of time and get ready to go to a Charity Ball in downtown Detroit. Like I said, I actively seek opportunities to go after the next best things.
You know maybe Corporate America isn’t my thing – but I am open to giving this a try. I want to — for one time in my life- stay with a company and grow something impactful. My goal is to stay for at least 6 months or more. Im use to advertising agency life — the innovation, the creativity and the people. I actually interviewed many agencies & large BRANDS before I decided on Corporate. I INTERVIEWED — I was looking for something in particular with each company. This was my choice to select Corporate in which I thought carefully about.. “I truly think that I was convinced to come here; which I wanted to be. I wanted to be convinced that there is a need and a want for my talent.”
Some Things Will Never Change
If I can give you some advice to take-away about changing your career, I would say to write it all down. Write everything down that you are seeking in a job. Don’t limit yourself. Don’t Settle. Show your value and drive your worth. If you really love a brand or company; and their isn’t a job posting online; reach out to them! I have done that on so many occasions – it shows that you want it more! Heck — I even met with QuickenLoans this year; but I really want to do my own thing. A lot of my network works at QL — it’s an amazing place, especially since it’s downtown and the company culture is so wild. However; my friends are living that dream — I wanted something unique.
Corporate will not change me. I know my drive, passion and ambitions are on a bumpy road to lead to successful ventures. I was nominated for 20 in their 20’s Crain’s list this year, featured on 3 media outlets and started my own weekly video chat hosting social media brands. Im one in a million — so I expect to stay happy. If I’m not happy; I’ve gotta make a move. My aggressiveness sometimes shows when I am working because I believe in what I am doing has true value. Many people do not understand the value of social media because they have not used it in a way that increases ROI, grows network and shows engagement. You can learn about your entire audience demographic, customer purchasing habits and what will be trending in your industry — all with social media. Gasp.
It;s magic. 😉 no.. it’s a skill. A skill that I will continue getting better at — so whether you want to admit this or not. Use me as a resource, not a weapon. I can build your brand — and improve your network. Be nice.. it goes farther in life.
