We’ve had some good news to start the new year: MCG has been named a finalist for PRWeek’s 2010 Boutique Agency of the Year. PRWeek is one of our industry’s most widely read and well respected publications, and it’s an honor we are delighted to have.
While we’ve enjoyed our share of accolades in the past, this one allows us to compete on a national stage with some of our industry’s most successful agencies. We wouldn’t have it any other way.
Too often, organizations will only measure success against their own plan. Relative performance – measurement against your peers — is far more rigorous than absolute performance. Putting yourself out there against the best and brightest is exactly how you get better, which is always our goal.
As we attend the awards ceremony in New York City in March, we’ll do so with gratitude for the partnership our clients have with us, with pride in the work our employees do every day, and with confidence in the future that lies ahead for all of us — our clients, our friends and our industry.
“For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Please share a favorite quote, thought or poem about why you’re grateful this season.
Finding a balance between one’s professional life and personal life has always been a challenge. In difficult economic times it may seem impossible. Work becomes more important than ever before – those who have jobs may be working harder to adjust to staffing and budget cuts, while those who do not have jobs are focusing all their efforts and energy on finding employment. Throw in technology’s mixed blessing of 24/7 access to phone, e-mail and Internet, and the professional can quickly eclipse the personal completely.
But, these are the times when finding the balance is the most critical. Making a conscious effort to carve out time for activities not related to work — family, exercise, volunteer work, hobbies – fosters creativity, prevents burnout, rejuvenates and “sharpens the saw.” The most successful companies recognize this and create a culture where their employees are equally passionate about the professional and the personal aspects of their lives.
This month’s issue of Citiscapes Metro Monthly features a profile of Elise, and in particular, how she achieves balance in her own life (full article below in Acrobat.com link). There is no set formula for achieving balance, and it is often a constantly-evolving process. Standing on one foot requires subtle shifts of weight before balance is achieved; the mental act of balancing professional and personal interests calls for the same constant adjustment.
The world is full of leaders, historically mostly men, but according to the Center for Women’s Business, today more than 50 percent of the privately owned firms in the country are owned by women. Mitchell Communications Group is headed up by one of those dynamic and entrepreneurial women. This month Elise was named one of AY Magazine’s Most Powerful Women in Arkansas. Her accolades and accomplishments are a direct reflection of her exceptional leadership skills. Each day I watch Elise in action and take note of the expertise and attributes that are essential to any successful business leader.
Poise – No matter the problem, leaders must be poised and level-headed, ready to take action and make the necessary decisions to solve a problem.
Influence – Influential leaders’ opinions are valued and sought after. Their decision-making skills and intuitive ideas are honored throughout their business community.
Encouragement – Offering encouragement to employees and coworkers is essential; more encouragement equals harder workers, which in return produce better outcomes.
Strategic thinking – Successful leaders are creative and are continually thinking “outside the box.” Good leaders do not settle for generic but strive to be insightful.
Working for a great business leader like Elise inspires everyone at MCG to work hard and achieve outstanding results for our clients. I continually learn from the great leaders (women and men) around me and strive to put their best practices to work.
Finding a balance between one’s professional life and personal life has always been a challenge. In difficult economic times it may seem impossible. Work becomes more important than ever before – those who have jobs may be working harder to adjust to staffing and budget cuts, while those who do not have jobs are focusing all their efforts and energy on finding employment. Throw in technology’s mixed blessing of 24/7 access to phone, e-mail and Internet, and the professional can quickly eclipse the personal completely.
