Readers’ Topic: Education is vital, what essential industry training do I need to fast-track my career?
You have launched the Mediaweek Academy – why should I attend and what are the course curriculum & benefits?
With the current talent crisis, it’s imperative that we nurture, train, and develop our most valuable resource, our people. In a service industry such as ours, that’s all we’ve got … not investing in their future isn’t an option.
To retain, attract and develop our talent just makes good business sense. Generally, as an industry, we do a good job in this area. However, we can always do better and now more than ever training your people is paramount.
Industry Training
As mentioned in a previous column the industry associations such as the MFA, IAB, IMAA, ADMA, ACA plus The Marketing Academy all have good and comprehensive training courses.
Talk to people that have participated in the various courses and get a first-hand recommendation and reference regarding what’s best for you. To fast-track your career, you need a thirst for knowledge and a real curiosity to learn and take on new challenges.
Every training course is an incredible opportunity, and I would say grab them with both hands and go for it. Not only will you achieve further education to help you grow in your current or future role the experience you have with your fellow cohorts is incredible. In my career, some of the best learning experiences have been the collaborations with the other people on the course. It’s the total learning experience, not purely the lectures or classroom presentations.
Mediaweek Academy
The new Mediaweek Academy is a unique blend of Legends and Superstars on each course topic to kick start the lecture, followed by a fun interactive presentation and then a Q&A, plus a specific action plan to implement back in the business including a continuous feedback loop.
Everyone involved is super experienced and can bring real business examples to life over extensive advertising careers. It’s the perfect combination of information and inspiration from legendary industry subject matter experts with a fresh perspective from young superstars.
The 10-month Mediaweek Academy outline
• Wednesday, Feb 22 – Career growth & development – with Legend John Steedman and Superstar Rebecca Drummond, from Wavemaker ANZ
• Wednesday, March 29 – Building client trust & respect – with Legend Mark Buckman from Accenture Song, and Superstar Duncan McGrath from Google
• Wednesday, April 26 – Sales & negotiation skills – with Legend Genelle Sharples from Telstra and Superstar Philippa Noliea-Tani from Wavemaker
• Wednesday, May 31 – Building your Personal Brand – with Legend Sunita Gloster from Gloster Advisory and Superstar Lara Brownlow from LinkedIn
• Wednesday, June 28 – Listening skills – with Legend author Oscar Trimboli and Bare Feat founder Chloe Hooper
• Wednesday, July 26 – Pitching to Win – with Legend Graham Webster from Enth Degree, and Superstar Joe Frazer from Half dome
• Wednesday, August 30 – Storytelling/Presenting Skills – with Legend Rose Herceg from WPP, and Superstar Jules Lund from Tribe
• Wednesday, September 27 – Inspiring Creativity – with Legend Julia Zaetta from Harris Farm Mag, and Superstar Adam Ross from Coca Cola
• Wednesday, October 25 – Partnerships & Collaboration – with Legend Lou Barrett from News Corp, and Superstar Danni Hudson from Snap Inc.
• Wednesday, November 29 – Leadership/Management Mindset – with Legend Katie Rigg Smith from Mindshare, and Superstar Jimmy Hyett from This Is Flow
Obviously, as the curator and tutor, I’m biased. However, any additional training/development in the industry is a positive, and the more we invest in our talent the better our industry will be in the future. Anyone completing the 10-month course immediately becomes more valuable and I’m sure they will be regarded as the hottest talent for the next promotion or that incredible new job opportunity.
Stay tuned to Mediaweek for more exciting news on the full list of Legends and Superstars.