“Aligning Values: Insights from Jen Melton's Journey to Success”

In my Digital Media Marketing Seminar class on 26th September, I got to meet Jen Melton. Jen's extensive experience and valuable insights left a lasting impression on me, and the interaction was an enriching experience. Her expertise in the field of digital marketing, combined with her advice and personal anecdotes, offered a unique perspective that I will carry with me throughout my career.

?Asking for constructive feedback:

?One of the most significant pieces of advice Jen shared was the importance of seeking feedback to grow and improve. This immediately resonated with me because feedback is a powerful tool for personal and professional development. She encouraged us to be proactive in asking for feedback, which prompted me to reflect on my own experiences.

?I remember a time when I started my job at Nordstrom where I asked for feedback from my department manager, because it was a very different retail job as compared to the others, because I had to do clientele there which I had never done before. My manager provided constructive criticism on how I can approach a customer without pushing them t9 buy things from me, suggesting that I needed to be more concise and engaging. I appreciated the feedback and immediately incorporated it into my day-to-day work. I practiced my clientele, focusing on maintaining customer's interest. Over time, I noticed a significant improvement in my ability to approach customers and help them shop without being pushy, which boosted my confidence.

?Aligning Values with Company Culture:

?Jen emphasized the importance of aligning personal values with the company culture when seeking employment. This advice struck a chord with me as I've always believed that working in an environment that shares your values is essential for long-term job satisfaction.

?In my job search be after graduation or even for my co-op, I will try and prioritize finding a company that values innovation, creativity, and a collaborative atmosphere. I believe that a workplace that fosters creativity and encourages employees to share their ideas will not only be more fulfilling but also lead to better results. To identify such value during the job search, I plan to thoroughly research companies, read employee reviews, and ask questions during interviews to understand their culture and values better.

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Uncovering Insights through Data:

?Jen introduced the concept of insights in the context of advertising and its significance in informing future decisions. Her explanation reminded me of a case study activity we recently conducted in class. We were presented with a dataset of social media metrics for a fictional company, and the task was to extract valuable insights from it.

?One lesson learned was the power of using data to understand consumer behaviour. By analyzing the metrics, we discovered that the company's social media posts published in the afternoon received significantly higher engagement than those posted in the morning. This insight informed our decision to shift the posting schedule, resulting in a noticeable increase in online engagement.

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Jen's insights and wisdom have given me a fresh perspective on my journey into the marketing world. Her emphasis on feedback, aligning values, and the power of data-driven insights will undoubtedly guide my future decisions and help me achieve success in my career. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from such a seasoned professional, and I am excited to apply her teachings in my future endeavours.

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