Comments on: 7 Business Lessons of the Prodigal Son http://thepeoplebrand.com/blog/2006/10/27/7-business-lessons-of-the-prodigal-son/ Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:46:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: DUST!N http://thepeoplebrand.com/blog/2006/10/27/7-business-lessons-of-the-prodigal-son/#comment-93899 DUST!N Fri, 27 Oct 2006 20:06:56 +0000 http://thepeoplebrand.com/blog/?p=241#comment-93899 Hi Brian. Looks like you have good taste in blog names and career aspirations. I agree. The title CD means very little. I was a CD at an agency at the age of 25, but it was not a fun experience and we did not create the best work for our clients. I got out of that gig and went corporate. It was actually somewhat of a demotion, taking a graphic design position. But the environment was incredible and the people were a joy to work with/for. That company sold and the previous president offered me a marketing director position at his other company. I took it. I learned a lot, but eventually realized I was built for agency work. So here I am. That's my story, but how does it affect yours? Some helpful questions and marginal advice: • If you're not passionate about it, is it the job or have you not discovered your passion? • Is there much capacity for learning where you are? I capped out before I left my corporate gig. • Discover your strengths and capitalize on them whether you stay or not. • The creative field is great, and one reason: you can build it on the side. It can be tricky to avoid burnout, but with the right plan you can build freelance and make the leap at the right time. • Don't leap now without clients ready to hire you right away. Know that the demand will be there. Now is your chance to create a cue. • These are decisions I pray about a lot and seek advice from people who are experienced, know me, and who I trust implicitly. Find wise counsel. • Never give up on finding your passion, but be willing to toil in finding it. You'll get there. Best of luck Brian. That's what I have for now. Maybe there are other readers who will chime in with their own advice. Hi Brian. Looks like you have good taste in blog names and career aspirations.

I agree. The title CD means very little. I was a CD at an agency at the age of 25, but it was not a fun experience and we did not create the best work for our clients.

I got out of that gig and went corporate. It was actually somewhat of a demotion, taking a graphic design position. But the environment was incredible and the people were a joy to work with/for. That company sold and the previous president offered me a marketing director position at his other company. I took it. I learned a lot, but eventually realized I was built for agency work. So here I am.

That’s my story, but how does it affect yours?

Some helpful questions and marginal advice:
• If you’re not passionate about it, is it the job or have you not discovered your passion?
• Is there much capacity for learning where you are? I capped out before I left my corporate gig.
• Discover your strengths and capitalize on them whether you stay or not.
• The creative field is great, and one reason: you can build it on the side. It can be tricky to avoid burnout, but with the right plan you can build freelance and make the leap at the right time.
• Don’t leap now without clients ready to hire you right away. Know that the demand will be there. Now is your chance to create a cue.
• These are decisions I pray about a lot and seek advice from people who are experienced, know me, and who I trust implicitly. Find wise counsel.
• Never give up on finding your passion, but be willing to toil in finding it. You’ll get there.

Best of luck Brian. That’s what I have for now. Maybe there are other readers who will chime in with their own advice.

]]> By: Brian http://thepeoplebrand.com/blog/2006/10/27/7-business-lessons-of-the-prodigal-son/#comment-93897 Brian Fri, 27 Oct 2006 19:25:43 +0000 http://thepeoplebrand.com/blog/?p=241#comment-93897 So we have a few things in common: I have a blog called The Casual Friday and would like to become a Creative Director. You write Casual Fridays, and ARE a Creative Director. I just want to ask you one thing about being a Creative Dir. Just having that title alone, doesn't mean anything to me. After all, a CD at the worst agency ever still works at the worst agency ever. My question is this: If you were 25 and worked at a Fortune 100 company, but were not passionate about your job, would you leave to pursue a position in the creative field / start your own creative services co? Or stick around for possible learning experiences? (sorry, I guess I snuck in that 2nd question) So we have a few things in common:
I have a blog called The Casual Friday and would like to become a Creative Director.
You write Casual Fridays, and ARE a Creative Director.
I just want to ask you one thing about being a Creative Dir.
Just having that title alone, doesn’t mean anything to me. After all, a CD at the worst agency ever still works at the worst agency ever.
My question is this: If you were 25 and worked at a Fortune 100 company, but were not passionate about your job, would you leave to pursue a position in the creative field / start your own creative services co? Or stick around for possible learning experiences?
(sorry, I guess I snuck in that 2nd question)

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