Author: Matt

Leveraging more than 15 years of experience marketing for start-ups and established companies, I provide demand generation and marketing consulting services from strategy through execution.

Trust your coworkers

MattLeave a Comment on Trust your coworkers

In recent weeks, I’ve been surprised by the number of managers that don’t have any trust in their coworkers. They feel that in order to get things done right, they need to be: a) done by the person who wants them done b) micromanaged to the point the person actually doing the work, doesn’t have any room for ingenuity.

I will admit that a few years ago I felt the same way. I didn’t think anyone could get the job done without me telling them exactly how to do it. Recently though, and probably only as a result of being too busy, I’ve started trusting my coworkers to get the job done. They may not work the same way I do. They may not see things the same way. But in general they want the same thing that I do, a great finished product.

The key part to this equation is that the other people need to be motivated to do great work as well. If they are simply being told what to do and have no stake in the success or failure of the project, they have no reason to try (aside from fear of being fired). Surround yourself with competent people and give them guidance but also give them control. They will be happier and more engaged in the work and you’ll get more done.

If You’re Going to Try

MattLeave a Comment on If You’re Going to Try

If you’re going to try, go all the way. Otherwise don’t even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives, jobs. And maybe your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery, isolation. Isolation is the gift. All the others are a test of your endurance. Of how much you really want to do it. And you’ll do it, despite rejection in the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you’re going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods. And the nights will flame with fire. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it.  All the way. All the way. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It’s the only good fight there is.

Roll the Dice

by Charles Bukowski

Are You Waiting Your Turn?

MattLeave a Comment on Are You Waiting Your Turn?

I’ll be honest. I’ve thought about starting this thing for quite a while now. But until today I hadn’t. I was waiting my turn. ‘Surely, the people out there blogging today are much more qualified and experienced than I. What can i say that hasn’t already been said? What do I want to say?’ I thought, that in a few years, when I had more experience I would be ‘ready’ to take on this challenge. But as time went on, I began examining my rationale and realized that it didn’t make sense.

I was overlooking the unique voice that I could bring to the conversation today. My experience, while perhaps similar to others was still quite unique. That was my strength. Not the subject matter – The analysis of it.

So that’s my question to you. Are you (or your company) waiting your turn or sitting on the bench because the field is too crowded?  Ask yourself why and you might find out it’s not because of anything others are doing, it’s because you aren’t looking at what you (and only you) can do.