We are continuing to celebrate women here at Alchemy Worx. This past International Women’s Day we discussed the importance of the day with Michelle Casey, our VP of Strategy. As an influential figure in the industry, she provided thought-provoking advice for women in marketing. Michelle also highlighted how she responds to the challenges she has faced in her career. Leaving us all with something to take note of.
Why is it important for Alchemy Worx to celebrate International Women’s Day?
Women are high contributors to our workplace. Recognition is core to equality and parity. Celebrating is an acknowledgment that all companies are better when women contribute at every level.
How can we encourage more women to pursue email marketing as a career?
An often overlooked discipline in marketing, email marketing requires three things:
1.Technical knowledge to understand marketing automation platforms.
2. Creative approaches to communicating with customers.
3. Problem-solving skills to collaborate on advancing complex multi-channel campaigns.
That combination of skills interests me.
Have you encountered any related challenges in your career along the way to becoming a VP?
I’ve been fortunate to have good bosses throughout my career, not by accident. I’ve also worked for bosses I didn’t pick and had to work hard to mesh with their management style and prove my value. You can’t control all aspects of your career, but you can control how you will respond to the challenges you face. The best way to approach a challenge is to leave your ego at the door. Another way to say it, put aside your preconceived notions and you can gain an advantage in a challenging situation. When you lose (a client, a position, an argument), learn from it but don’t dwell on it.
What is the most challenging thing about your job? What is the most rewarding?
Most frustrating to me is stagnation and lack of progress. Most rewarding is uncovering the value of the work I put in.
On International Women’s Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young women thinking about their careers?
You are powerful. As a marketer, you are on the cusp of contributing to a new digital revolution. There is territory to claim on so many emerging and converging industries. From IoT, Blockchain, Sustainability, to Global Health. Whatever your job is, understand its role in a larger framework. Learn everything you can about the industry you are in (or want to be in). If you never stop growing, you will become bigger than your obstacles: they will be easier to step over.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would that be?
My first job was with Apple. I’ve been an avid user ever since. I would love to tell the younger me: shift your shoe budget to Apple stock.
What career advice have you received as a marketing leader that’s been particularly valuable to you?
Early in my career, I worked as a consultant for a very large company. The first month I met with my boss and let him know about a problem. He listened, then he asked me “what do you think is the solution?” I thought for a minute and gave one, which started a dialogue. When we were done he said: “A piece of advice. When coming to me with a problem, have a solution. It may not be the right solution but it tells me you’ve thought it through.” That advice empowered me in many ways. It not only taught me the value of “managing up” but, it also made me recognize that others were confident that I could contribute to the organization beyond my assigned role. Be a problem-solver.
Anything else you’d like women to know as they embark on marketing careers?
Do not limit your ambition and don’t let someone else try. At the beginning of your career, be impatient, be ravenous for experience. In the middle build your craft, deepen your knowledge and establish yourself as an expert. Check-in with yourself often to make sure you are happy with your journey. Always be generous, always give back, always be a mentor, and always be on the lookout for the next bright star. There are so many out there.
