Drew Uesseler
The average American spends over 11,400 hours in a classroom. This number excludes hours spent earning a higher education in college or vocational school. The goal of keeping students in school for this large allotment of time is to teach them core information and skills needed for the future. However, students are not taught the skills that will best help them in their professional endeavors. Linda Douglas a marketing leader, and expert in the field believes young adults entering the workforce lack many skills needed to be successful in the a professional work environment. In her eyes a larger influence on core values would be beneficial to young adults entering the workforce. In the interview Mrs. Douglas explains these values, and tells about her experience as a marketing director.
1. What is your professional history (include your timeline and roles)?
2019 – Lake Trust Credit Union, Vice President of Marketing, Brand Strategy & Innovation
2013 – 2019 – University of Michigan, Office of University Development, Senior Director of Marketing & Brand Strategy
2008 – 2013 – Michigan First Credit Union, Vice President of Marketing
2005 – 2008 – VW Credit, Inc., General Manager, Marketing & Business Development
2001 – 2005 – Synergy Bank, Vice President of Marketing & Communications
1995 – 2001 – Synergy Bank, Assistant Vice President, Marketing & Communications
1992 – 1995 – Synergy Federal Credit Union, Marketing Manager
1991 – 1992 – Jamesway (department store) – Director of Special Events & Public Relations
1989 – 1992 – Monmouth Mall, Marketing Director
1988 – 1989 – Swansea Mall, Marketing Director
1987 – 1988 – The Continent/French Market, Marketing Director
1985 – 1987 – Panama City Mall, Marketing Director
1983 – 1985 – MeadowBrook Village Mall, Assistant Marketing Director
2. What writing advice do you have for professional communicators?
Know your audience, write at their level, write using an active voice. Make sure to have someone else proof and edit your writing.
3. What is your one pet peeve when it comes to professional writing?
Only one? Well, here are a few: use of two periods after sentences, poor spelling and grammar, run-on sentences, writing that doesn’t connect with the audience.
4. What kind of business reports do you read and/or compose regularly?
Read: white papers, trade articles, business cases.
Write: marketing/business plans, business cases.
Review: all types of copy written by my team (press releases, editorial, sales/marketing copy, web copy, email, social posts, etc).
5. What are your writing suggestions to make those types of reports successful?
Be concise. Engage your audience. Support your points.
6. What speaking advice do you have for professional communicators?
Join Toastmasters. It’s invaluable in practicing public speaking, learning to avoid your crutch words, and being able to speak on any topic with little advance notice.
7. Name one thing you wish you had known about business communication prior to your professional career?
How critical it is to all areas of business.
8. After assessing the Burning Glass list of Baseline Skills (2016), which skills not in the top 5 would you move into the top 5…and why?
Emotional intelligence (the ability to read people and adapt your style to fit the situation).
Collaboration (beyond communication skills … the ability to negotiate and compromise)
9. What team skills do you feel young professionals need the most?
Listening – really truly listening.
Humility – I think that some young professionals are very eager to “get to the top” without taking the time to learn and grown.
Patience – understand that change takes time.
Initiative – take the initiative, find ways to add value (but be patient if things don’t happen right away).
Respect – find mentors, learn from them. They can be very valuable in helping you build a career.
Key Takeaways
The interview with Mrs. Douglas explained how the most important skills in the workplace are not ones that can be taught through a book or with a professor. The most important skills you acquire from teamwork and experience. Mrs. Douglas explained this point stating how she wished she had known how important proper communication was before she entered the workforce. Another interesting point discussed is how there is no single, concrete formula to communicating. How you communicate depends on your audience and the individual receiving your message. For example, an email to your co-worker friend will look different than a detailed memo to your boss. Mrs. Douglas details how one must use their “emotional intelligence” to adapt their form of communication to fit your audience, so to ensure your message comes across clear for both parties involved.
The second takeaway from the interview were the skills Mrs. Douglas believes are most important for young professionals: humility, patience, and respect. These personality traits are not thought about with concerns to a professional career. She explains how many young professionals are so eager to enter the workforce and climb their way to the top that they focus on the future instead of the now. Eliminating this speed-run mentality will help young adults be patient and wait for their time to come. Understand that you are the rookie in the scenario. Have the mindset that you earn everything, and it will take time. Being patient will allow you to learn and understand your craft, enabling you to prepare for your professional future. As children, people are taught to respect our superiors, if we obey and show them this respect, they reward us with affection and generosity. It is a simple ideology that everyone experiences. The same benefits of being respectful as a child translates to the workforce. As Mrs. Douglas explains, respecting your superiors will help you find mentors that will teach you within your field and help build your professional career.
Mrs. Douglas worked in the marketing field since 1983. She specializes in innovative marketing strategies and creating strong strategic brands. Her diverse background includes: strategic and tactical marketing, brand management, strategic planning, advertisement, and much more. Her knowledge and experience allowed Linda to climb her way up the professional ladder. Her first job was an Assistant Marketing Director at Meadow Brooke Village mall. At the forefront of her career, Mrs. Douglas worked in retail managing the branding for large malls. worked as a marketing director for four malls and two department stores before deciding to exit retail in 1992. Linda proceeded to focus her marketing efforts in the realm of banks. Getting a job with Synergy Federal Credit Union where she established herself as Vice President of Marketing and Communications. Linda now works for the Lake Trust Credit Union, where she is the Vice President of Marketing and Communication, and Leader of Brand Strategy and Innovation.
Andrew Uesseler is currently a sophomore at the University of Southern Indiana, studying to receive his B.S. in Marketing. He dedicates his time studying and involving himself in campus life. He participates in a fraternity, Sig Pi, and also spends his time playing intramural sports.
