By Michael Palmer:
If you believe in people, investing in them should be as essential as breathing….
Yet how often do we say – no time; no budget; training has to wait. Wait for what?
Mark Addicks, General Mills, CMO sends his team to a five day internal marketing boot camp. This type of investment – taking the team away from their desks for five continuous days - is substantial, both for Mark and his team. But Mark does not question his decision or this investment, in fact he teaches much of the course himself--a demonstration to the team of how important he feels training is.
And he doesn’t stop there. First, a monthly program occurs on Wednesdays where outside speakers come to share new insights, trends, concepts, and marketing ideas. This “Lunch and Learn” program is very different than most; however, it works. People attend, they listen (not play with blackberries) and they learn. Why? Because Mark attends, listens, and learns. He shows the team that he cares about them, and that he wants them to continuously grow, gain new skills, and become more valuable members of the General Mills team.
If you are an ANA member company, marketing training is part of your membership. ANA members are offered complimentary ½ day marketing training courses. This provides you with a way to overcome both excuses – no time, no budget. Without cost, and for only a half-a-day time investment, you too, can elevate the marketing skills of your organization. Call (212 455-8054) or email me ([email protected]) and we’ll help you demonstrate to your team that investing in them is a priority for you.
Remember to train new marketing professionals about the importance and value of buying audited media. It's a valuable piece of advice for when they have to account for ad spend.
Just a thought!
(see www.buysafemedia.com for more info)
Posted by: jsorlie | October 30, 2008 at 04:17 PM