Ever had one of those guests to dinner that brings nothing with them for the host… wines and dines all night and doesn’t bat an eyelid as they wave goodnight on their way out the door? I’m thinking most of us have met that person.

Professionally, turning up with nothing but a blank mind, and blank notepad is no different...

This article is aimed at business owners, senior managers and sales managers in small to medium sized organisations. 

Yesterday I had a thought-provoking conversation with a marketer based in California, that we’re currently collaborating with on a project. Despite being based on different continents, I was surprised by the similar experiences we had encountered in our roles as communications professionals.

When I was 25 and working in a Marketing role in commercial radio, I missed out on what I believed was the promotion of my career. My then Managing Director knew how crushed I was, and was good enough to take me aside and tell me that he saw my abilities and drive, but the timing wasn’t right. I asked him why, and he said – ‘Annie, you have great insight, and with that comes softness and empathy – it might mean that it takes you a few years longer to get to where you need to in your career – but please don’t change – these qualities will make you”.

I recently moved house, and like most of us, had the task of arranging service dis-connections and re-connections.

Slick on the surface, promising me wonderful things, my service provider’s marketing machine said everything that I wanted to hear and feel about my new customer experience.

This time last year, I had the great honour of spending a couple of weeks at Harvard Business School in Boston, learning from some of the best in marketing, and sharing ideas with a group of highly talented marketers from around the globe.

It was a transformational time that was incredibly challenging, but above all, inspirational, and has further shaped the way I view business, and the possibilities around my role as a marketer.

In line with Australia's most anticipated Federal Election of 2019, Two Crowns Director Anne Baker, recently wrote an article on the events and outcomes of Sco Mo's 'miracle' win, and how the Coalition's victory demonstrated leadership in politics and the people.

As a small business owner with a growing team, I read a lot about management and leadership.

What I seem to hear less of/read less about is the value placed on the essential role of the trusted 2IC – and how this role in a company is just as important as the role of leader.