Smart Savvy

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Smart Savvy is looking to discover the next marketing ‘rockstar.’ We are hosting a competition called, Top Grads 2009, for graduating seniors with a marketing or communications focus at any of BC’s post-secondary institutions (and BCIT), introducing them to some of the lower-mainland’s best employers. We’ll select three (3) grads to help secure their first ‘killer’ job. (Application deadline is May 15, 2009).

Here are 5 reasons why I’m excited for the competition:

A chance to identify emerging talent — Using the application process, we’ll get to see who really stands out among the crowd and can hold their own in a business setting.

An opportunity to help people stretch and grow — Applicants will be taken through an intensive selection process to help them learn what it takes to be a top-level marketer.

Helping people get a ‘leg-up’ in their career — It’s always hard to get that first foot in the door.  We can help someone who deserves it.

Bringing people together to make new connections — From newbies to seasoned professionals, here’s a chance to learn how to master your craft.

Feedback is good — Getting a read on how you present yourself can only make you stronger. Top Grads allows us to offer valuable feedback.

Even though opportunities aren’t coming in ‘fast and furious’ the need for talent isn’t going to disappear. Implementing this program is a way to get familiar with the leaders of tomorrow as well as BC Schools who are offering great marketing programs.  I must say, I wish this opportunity was presented to me when I was graduating!

“Life is like a box of crayons. Most people are the 8-colour boxes, but what you’re really looking for are the 64-colour boxes with the sharpeners on the back.”
John Mayer, Singer-Songwriter

I’m perpetually surprised by how few companies know “who” they need. Some can identify a needed skill or two but even those are the exception rather than the rule. And the temptation in a tight job market is to take a narrow set of skills, a beating heart and be damned to the rest.

Mistake. Potentially costly. Possibly fatal.

The adage, “hire for character, you can always teach skill” is a useful framework particularly when hiring someone who is responsible for critical intangibles like media relations, artistic direction or marketing strategies.

A great character hangs from the solid framework of a balanced ego – all the positive “self” qualities: self-aware, self-motivated, self-restrained, self-confident. The balance is maintained by a reasonable sense of judgment or perception – an ability to gauge yourself in relation to others in diverse situations - and a desire to self-correct. You don’t have to be right 100% of the time (because you wont be!), but you should always be willing and able to correct yourself when you’re wrong.

On the other hand, an imbalanced ego creates a framework with potential weaknesses – all the negative “self” qualities: self-centred, self-seeking, self-righteous, selfish, and sometimes self-conscious. Unfortunately, these are often compounded by a lack of perception and an unwillingness to self-correct.

With a balanced ego to anchor them all, desirable characteristics like curiosity, creativity and eloquence, become further assets for your company. The curiosity of a balanced ego is inspired by ideas and plans generated by others not just themselves. They are capable of focusing their creativity on other people and their projects, not just their own. They bring their communication skills to bear as fluent interpreters between client and customer, or product and consumer.

A person with this kind of character doesn’t just work for your company they are your company.