It’s in our nature to evolve, yet so many of us stay stuck in our careers. We dream of making a change but are too afraid to do things differently. These public figures have reinvented themselves and made an impact. Let them be your inspiration to fly out of your pigeonhole so you can be seen for the real you. Angela Merkel Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel had a long standing reputation as an austere leader,...

Whether you want to be loved and accepted, respected and recognized or promoted and prized, these are my secrets to making your mark.On the eve of my company’s 23rd anniversary, I sat down and asked myself, “How did I get here?” The following is a short list of the many lessons I’ve learned growing Big Fish and working with top executives at some of the world’s biggest brands.1. Follow your bliss. When Big Fish was buying m...

Ever get that empty feeling when you’ve worked intensely on something big and then it ends?During the first quarter of this year I worked on three major projects that had me zigzagging the country through the dead of winter to New York, LA, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Tampa and Atlanta. The pace was non-stop and the stakes were high. I worked closely with my clients every day to ensure that what I was delivering was on tar...

Strike your best deal and feel good about it! Here are tips from one of the country’s top negotiation experts.Salary NegotiationWhat are your salary requirements? What does the right package look like for you? Those questions can be tough to answer, especially if you’ve lost a big job and you’re rethinking your worth, or if you’re ready to make a change after a long time at one company and you’re unsure how to value your...

What does it take to create a high performance career that gains steam, rather than peters out? Read on. My company Big Fish Marketing turned 21 this year, and I couldn’t be prouder of my business and the brands we’ve built. In honor of our anniversary, I’ve made a list of the major lessons I’ve learned from working with top executives at some of the world’s biggest brands. 1. Be curious. Do everything you can to understand...

Could playing small be what’s keeping you from winning big in business? Each time I sit down to watch an episode of Mad Men I’m drawn in by the power that Don Draper commands in a meeting. He knows that he’s got the right idea. His cocksure pitch blankets the client in confidence. With total faith, they believe that the campaign will work to increase sales and build their personal reputations as genius decision makers. And...

With fewer opportunities for advancement, 60% of Americans are considering going back to school. Should you?Last week during my monthly touch-up, my hairstylist announced that he was going back to school. George was excited about transferring his talent for making people beautiful into a new career as a plastic surgeon. His plan is to work his way through school over the next seven years. I was completely inspired by George...

Answering these questions will help you come back to yourself so you can finally move forward.Over the summer I had the privilege of spending a week in Atlanta, the city where I started my professional life. I thought about all the jobs I held there in my 20’s: stints in fashion and music, and promotion director posts at a pop radio station, alternative newspaper and finally at TNT, where I made a name for myself in the ca...

Quality and customer service are no longer differentiators. Innovation is what creates a sustainable competitive advantage.I’m feeling like the word “marketing” should be retired. I know this may sound like blasphemy to most of you, but what I see driving success in large corporations and in small businesses is not traditional marketing, it’s culture.The American Marketing Association defines marketing as “an activity, set...

If you’re stuck in neutral and you need a new job, then get out of your own way and give back.I know it seems counter-intuitive, but if you’re feeling paralyzed by uncertainty and doubt, my best advice is to resist isolating and get out into your community. Helping find a cure for cancer by running a marathon, volunteering at a local museum, lecturing at a college or industry event, advocating for a worthy cause or mentorin...