Carli McDonald, CM, Marketing Manager at Teranet Inc., learned that career growth comes from two words that led her to speak up in meetings, lead projects, and ask for what she wanted. Say yes. As a young woman in the corporate world, she had to work twice as hard to be taken seriously. Carli has found success and viagra prijzen uk has gone from mentee to mentor, giving back by helping other women reach their career goals.

Think Differently

The Chartered Marketer designation is important because it helps to uphold and advance the standards and credibility of marketing professionals. Becoming a CM was a significant professional milestone as it challenged me to think differently and more strategically about marketing and leadership. I don’t have a formal marketing education, and having this designation shows that I am dedicated to my craft and am committed to continuous learning. As a Chartered Marketer, I have joined a community of like-minded professionals who share a passion for excellence in marketing.

Writing & Creative

When I went to university, I intended to become a journalist – but once I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature, I changed my mind. It took me a year between university and starting my first role in marketing to realize that I loved writing and acheter viagra 120mg being creative, and that’s what I wanted for a career. I reached out to the Director of Marketing at the company where I was working to ask if I could intern to learn more, and I fell in love with marketing immediately.

Get Involved

Throughout my marketing journey, I learned to put my hand up and ask for what I want instead of waiting for someone to give it to me. If there is a project or campaign you’re interested in learning more about, get involved. The most important skill that has made the most significant difference in my growth has been saying yes to new opportunities, including professional development. Leading a project, speaking up in meetings and stepping into spaces that made me uncomfortable have all helped me get where I am today.

Driver of Growth

One unique challenge for the marketing profession is the need to continually prove our value and shift the perception of marketing from a cost centre to a strategic driver of growth. Unlike many other departments, marketing’s impact isn’t always immediate or easily measurable. Investing in an organization’s brand pays off in the long run, as its reputation and trust with customers are strengthened. There are short-term results attributable to marketing efforts, but these don’t always reflect what marketers deliver. In my experience, this is what sets great marketers apart. The leader of my department is not just a creative thinker but also a strong business partner. She understands how to connect marketing metrics to real business outcomes, such as revenue growth and customer retention, and this has elevated our department over the past few years.

Understanding Beyond Adoption

Staying relevant in marketing is challenging because marketing is always evolving. Since I am committed to lifelong learning, I make education a constant part of my routine – and I set time aside each week to read articles from industry leaders I admire. The Canadian Marketing Association offers excellent webinars that I try to attend at least once a quarter, and I always leave with pages of notes to put into practice in upcoming campaigns. I think it’s also important to understand what trends are relevant to your industry and customers. It’s not about adopting every new tool or trend but understanding how you can make changes to shape your strategy and usa cialis sublingual online stay relevant.

Elevating the Role of Marketing

When I started in marketing in 2015, the focus was heavily on content development and getting your message out efficiently and on the right channel. This is still important today, but I think the profession has evolved to be much more strategic and data-driven. We are now expected to directly influence business growth and customer experience with the products we market. I think ultimately, we’ve moved away from a focus on reaching people to understanding our customers and engaging with them thoughtfully. The rise of personalization has really changed and elevated the role of marketing.

From Cost Centre to Driver of Value

One of the challenges I have faced more recently has been proving the value of my marketing efforts in measurable terms. Early in my career, I was focused on producing engaging content without much thought on the impact or results that this work generated. Now, I’ve had to challenge myself to constantly focus on campaigns that will drive revenue, retention, and growth, and to learn which metrics will resonate with senior leadership. I think this shift in focus has not only strengthened the credibility of my work but also helped change the perception of marketing from a cost centre to a driver of value.

Another challenge I have faced, not specifically related to marketing, has been navigating the corporate world as a young woman. I’ve often felt that I must work twice as hard to be taken seriously, but over time, I’ve gained the confidence to speak up and trust that I deserve to be in every room I’m in. Mentorship from strong female leaders has made a huge difference in helping to overcome this challenge, and now I try to offer the same encouragement to others.

Shifting Mindsets

I’ve had many defining moments, but one that stands out was reaching the role of Marketing Manager – a goal I had set for myself early on. Achieving this milestone was incredibly rewarding, and it marked a major turning point in my career. Up until that point, my focus had always been on execution and following someone else’s lead. Stepping into a management role required a complete shift in my mindset. I had to start delegating and natural viagra thinking more strategically.

Shrinking the Gap

I am most excited about the growing role of AI-powered personalization in marketing. As the tools we use become smarter, the ability to deliver the right message, at the right time, to the right person is becoming easier. Instead of just pushing out campaigns and hoping for results, we’re moving toward more dynamic experiences that respond to individual behaviours and preferences, which I find exciting. I work in the B2B space, which has always typically lagged behind B2C in customer experience. With the advancement of marketing tools, this gap is shrinking, as professional buyers now expect the same level of personalization and seamless experience in their work-related purchases that they encounter in their personal lives.

Say Yes

My advice to marketers who want to follow a similar path is always to say yes. Don’t be afraid of uncomfortable professional experiences, because that is what will challenge you and accelerate your growth. Embrace change, be curious and prioritize professional development. If you think that you know everything there is to know about marketing, that’s a sign to pause and learn more. Marketing is constantly changing, but staying committed to learning and developing your skillset and craft as a marketer will take you far. Lastly, ask questions and seek out mentors who will help you grow and speak about you in rooms you aren’t in.

 

Becoming a Chartered Marketer boosts your credibility and ensures you stay competitive in this evolving field. Download the CM Brochure to learn more about the pathways to becoming a Chartered Marketer program today and take a significant step in your marketing career.