Marketing Automation Software: A Revolution Fueled by AI
Mark Adkison Mark Adkison

Marketing Automation Software: A Revolution Fueled by AI

Marketing automation software has been a game-changer for businesses of all sizes, streamlining processes and improving efficiency. However, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has taken this technology to unprecedented heights, revolutionizing the way marketers approach their work.

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5 Hard-Learned Truths About Applying for Jobs in Today's Market
Mark Adkison Mark Adkison

5 Hard-Learned Truths About Applying for Jobs in Today's Market

Job hunting can be a daunting task, especially in today's competitive market. Here are five hard-earned truths I've discovered through my own experiences:

1. Take Nothing for Granted It's easy to assume that your skills and experience will automatically translate into job offers. However, the job market is dynamic, and what was relevant a few years ago may not be as valuable today. Stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and the skills that are in high demand.

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The Silent Treatment: The New Normal of Job Hunting?
Mark Adkison Mark Adkison

The Silent Treatment: The New Normal of Job Hunting?

It’s a familiar story: you’ve dusted off your resume, meticulously crafted cover letters, and tapped into your network. You’ve sent out countless applications, followed up with persistence, and yet, the silence is deafening. Where once a phone call or email might have offered a glimmer of hope, now there’s just an endless void. Is this the new normal of job hunting?

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Rejection Blues Got You Down? Channel Your Inner Ted Lasso and Be a Goldfish!
Mark Adkison Mark Adkison

Rejection Blues Got You Down? Channel Your Inner Ted Lasso and Be a Goldfish!

Rejection Blues Got You Down? Channel Your Inner Ted Lasso and Be a Goldfish!

I’ve been rewatching Ted Lasso. Like many of you, I’m going to miss the series and especially They seem like people I’d like to hang out with and would likely be friends. I’ve gleaned a lot of funny statements as well as some really valuable lessons from that quirky dude and all the members of Richmond AFC.

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Are We Asking the Right Questions? Jodie Foster and a ‘True Detective’ Look at Business Blind Spots
Mark Adkison Mark Adkison

Are We Asking the Right Questions? Jodie Foster and a ‘True Detective’ Look at Business Blind Spots

Ok – So, it’s taken me some time to put this into words…but while my wife and I watched the latest season of True Detective, I was struck with Jodie Foster’s character always coming back to the saying “Are we asking the right questions?” For the record, HBO's latest season of True Detective, "North Country," throws us headfirst into a gruesome crime or crimes and of course, existential dread. But beneath the surface of occult conspiracies and philosophical monologues, is a question with profound implications for day-to-day business: Are we asking the right questions?

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Leading from Behind: The Power of Servant Leadership in a Fresh Start or Reboot
Mark Adkison Mark Adkison

Leading from Behind: The Power of Servant Leadership in a Fresh Start or Reboot

Imagine this: you've joined a company, or perhaps your current organization has undergone a major overhaul. The structure is new, the team is forming, and the path forward is clear but will be a winding road. In a structure like this, traditional leadership styles might feel out of place. But there's an approach that thrives in the fertile ground of new beginnings: servant leadership.

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Is Email Marketing Dead? Why I Think It's Still the Marketing MVP
Mark Adkison Mark Adkison

Is Email Marketing Dead? Why I Think It's Still the Marketing MVP

In the whirlwind of social media trends and ever-changing algorithms, I’ve often wondered if email marketing is fast becoming a relic or, is it a useful tool? After some research and asking a lot of marketing pros their thoughts and the verdict…drumroll please…email remains a champion in the marketing arena. It still offers powerful and direct ways to connect with your audience. Here’s what the people I talk to say about email

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Surprise and Delight: Making Your Customers Smile

Surprise and Delight: Making Your Customers Smile

Surprise and Delight: Making Your Customers Smile

In today's marketplace, keeping customers happy isn't enough. You need to wow them. This is where "surprise and delight" comes in.

But is there more to it than just that? Surprise and delight, the customer experience strategy that focuses on exceeding expectations and creating positive emotional…

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5 powerful ways to elevate artist branding:
Mark Adkison Mark Adkison

5 powerful ways to elevate artist branding:

5 ways to elevate artist branding

1. Define the Core Identity:

• Dig deep into an artists’ core values, inspirations, and motivations will help you get a deeper understanding of where they’re coming from. What makes them unique? What’s their story and how will they tell it?

• Write the narrative: Translate their core identity into a relatable and focused message that resonates with your target audience.

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7 Observations about operational success in the ‘new’ Music Business.
Mark Adkison Mark Adkison

7 Observations about operational success in the ‘new’ Music Business.

As some of you know, it's been a minute since I was in the music biz. For the past 7 months, I've been consulting with some amazingly talented managers and artists at Arc Nashville. So, having dipped my toe back in the waters of the music biz. I've decided to put some insights in my VPofOther Blog and created 7 Observations about Operational Success in the 'new' Music Business.

In the ever-evolving music industry, artist management companies face a constant challenge: achieving operational success in marketing and promotion. Juggling diverse artist personalities, dynamic market trends, and limited resources can feel like a high-wire act. But fear not! By focusing on these key areas, you can create a winning formula for propelling your artists to new heights.

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Mindset: The Key to Success Ready? Aim! Fire! STEER!!!!
Mark Adkison Mark Adkison

Mindset: The Key to Success Ready? Aim! Fire! STEER!!!!

The way we think about ourselves and the world around us has a profound impact. This mindset can either hold us back or push us forward.

If we have a fixed mindset, we believe that our abilities are set in stone. We think that we are either good at something or we are not. This is a mindset that leads to self-doubt and discouragement

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Be A Problem Solver
Mark Adkison Mark Adkison

Be A Problem Solver

Be a problem solver. Operations personnel will inevitably encounter problems. We all know that. The ability to identify and solve problems quickly and effectively is an important skill. Thinking creatively and coming up with innovative and creative solutions is likely part of the job.

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impossible to possible
Mark Adkison Mark Adkison

impossible to possible

"The impossible is just the possible that hasn't happened yet." - Unknown

I saw this image and was reminded that all things are possible. It’s not just about setting your mind to it, it’s about setting your heart to it as well.

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Not doing things perfectly…
Mark Adkison Mark Adkison

Not doing things perfectly…

As an operations guy for the last 10 or so years, I’ve been asked the question, “What do you do?” Depending on the day, the answer can change. I think the quote above tends to sum it up…’consistently well.” You don’t have to be perfect.

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