The dictionary defines a 'Renaissance' individual as '...a person with genuine competence in and understanding of multiple
different fields, all of which complement one another to make her/him a more
talented and productive person...'.
What the world needs now are these renaissance-minded people!
My belief in this is rooted in my own business experience. I have an eclectic background with varied work experience. I started as a Radio Announcer before transitioning into Sales. The Radio business taught me how to tell stories quickly. And as a commission sales person, I learned the difference between features and benefits: people like features but they buy benefits! I still hold that tenet close.
From radio and sales I moved into Advertising Agency world. It was the last gasp of the Mad Man era in Toronto back in those days. I still miss expense accounts! In Advertising I learned how to ask better questions. And not to stop until I'd found a key insight that solved a consumer need in a unique way.
Along the way I moved between Advertising Agencies and Client roles in Fast Food. These experiences taught me how to look at the Marketing business in a more holistic way.
I've always been media agnostic and this became even more useful as digital and social media exploded on the media scene. Working for myself and then with some national brands reminded me that 'the medium is still the message'. Working with these brands taught me that the basics still mattered: What's the objective; What strategies make the most sense; How do the tactics work together most effectively.
Up next? People with with genuine competence in and understanding of multiple
different fields, all of which complement one another...Renaissance Women and Men!
Until next time...
