As we get older, the holidays become less about getting (like when we were kids) and instead switch to giving. Giving to our family. Giving to our friends and colleagues. Giving to the random down-on-their-luck stranger we’ll never meet. Giving to those who just plain need a little holiday cheer from a hospital room, a nursing home, a military camp, a homeless shelter and any little bleak spot we can think of that could a good dose of Merry Everything.

Today I got a gift from a client (usually this is the other way around), which I in turn passed along to a friend needing items for a charity auction. Perhaps it wasn’t the standard thing to do with the gift, but I knew I didn’t really need another gift basket full of indulgences that will go straight to my ass by the New Year. (And let’s face it, mine is getting up there with Kim Kardashian, and it gets plenty of mixed reviews much like her.)

This year when thinking about giving and getting I got to thinking about how to give something that can profoundly impact many lives besides writing a check, dropping off gifts, filling a kettle or a pantry.

My idea came to me when observing my Facebook feed via my mobile and seeing just how many people vocalized about not having a job, or having a job they loathed and a few who voiced wishing the boss would get canned. I noticed a particular friend of mine with whom I took a few college courses, who flatly said she wanted a job for Christmas – in her field. The field she spent 4 years and countless hours in college prepping for, only to be met with the friendly “thanks, but no thanks” speech time and again.

Many people would have given up and just moved into another field. This lady has never lost hope that she will get that “yes”. I remember when I got my first “yes”. I was literally speechless and sat there staring in a state of disbelief.  This came after more no’s than I care to acknowledge. (Funny, those same no’s eventually ended up doing business with me in some form or another.)

So dear agency and client-side friends and colleagues, after much thought, I know what I want for Christmas instead of another gift basket, card, meal, party or oddity to sit upon my desk.

It is MY wish for this holiday season that this young lady, Alyssa Jones, be granted an interview and a job in the field she wants to be in more than a chubby kid wants a piece of cake. Or I want to fit in a pair of pencil-thin skinny jeans.

I can attest to the fact that she isn’t an idiot, and she is very driven. She would make a wonderful addition to an agency as a Project Manager or Account Cooridnator. She posses the know-how with juggling ever changing details and can keep calm in any storm. She is a hard-worker and if I were in the capacity to hire her, I would do it in a heartbeat. I know the shop that snatches her up will be glad they did. The girl can also design and write, which is a big help to places looking for talent that can be multi-faceted.

If you are interested in making my Christmas Wish come true, I would be more than happy to put you directly in touch with Alyssa herself.

And just to clear this up before anyone questions, Alyssa had no idea I wanted to write this post about her at all. I did get clearance from her to write a post mentioning her, she just didn’t know exactly how I would fit her in. She didn’t put me up to it as she knows I don’t use my audience for personal gain of any kind, but this, was different.

This really is the gift that keeps on giving – not only for Alyssa – also for a potential employer. They get a great person to fill an open spot and help boost productivity in the New Year and beyond.

And Alyssa, if you are reading this, which I know you are, all I ask in return is that when able, you pay it forward to another person – since I can imagine that you pretty shocked that someone would just “do this” for another.

Happy Holidays AdSaints and Sinners,

I hope 2012 is one of the best yet for you all!

Peace, Love and Spiked ‘Nog,

The ADgitator

I can’t golf. And it’s probably best for all the enthusiasts out there that I can’t. It leaves more time for sitting in the clubhouse and getting to know people while not swinging around some wood and drawing attention to my obvious lack of hand/eye coordination.

This time of year, charitable golf tournaments and the like, are in full swing and non-profits are vying for your support in order to continue their mission in making the world a little bit of a better place for all.

While at such an event, I made a proposal to a group of some of STL’s movers and shakers in the business community that literally had some jaws hanging slack and others nodding and really giving my proposal some thought.

Everyone who was gathered in this group was at the event in order to show support for a cause they believed in, thus in turn, helping to raise money. “Raising money is one thing” I chortled. “But raising awareness is a whole other.” ‘Beg your pardon?’ said a man to my left, who also as I had learned, was the owner of a very prominent business. A few other people turned to listen in on the conversation since this man up until now, had been politely swishing the ice in his cocktail and listening to the conversations around him.

“Anyone can write a check or make a donation to a cause. But the people out there who are willing to go that extra mile and help the cause they believe in raise awareness and really get the word out, it is a whole other level. People tend not to care until it hits close to home or really tugs at their heart strings.”

‘Raise awareness – as in how? This event isn’t raising awareness?’ he said daftly. I could see the man was perturbed at my commentary. “On some levels it is, but let’s face it, a lot of people know about this cause. Think of how many other such worthy causes lack such viable resources, and with all due respect, pocketbooks of patrons who really care. I am not saying one cause should be placed over another, everyone has something they feel passionate about. I just think organizations such as this could also really benefit from bringing awareness to a multitude of audiences.

‘How?’

Everyone in the circle where I was standing turned to hear my response. The wild idea fell out of my mouth. “Well, most people recognize your last name and know the business that you run because they hear about your products on the radio, see your television commercials, get your pop up ads online and so forth. Imagine if you took a small part of your media buy, and gave it to a non-profit that could really benefit from that level of exposure? Or if you donated those funds to help that non-profit with producing a campaign that could really help them raise awareness. Just think of the exposure for that charity. Not only that, it is something that as a company, you can talk about and also help to get the word out on your own website and so forth. If nobody helps the little guy, who will?

The man finished his drink and nodded. I could tell he was chewing the fat on what I had just said. A few other people (mostly executives and other “decision makers”) laughed good-heartedly at my not so modest proposal. One even commented that, “You can’t save them all.” Others brought up costs, potential brand impact, and the conversation kept rolling from there.

Finally the Owner/CEO spoke and gave me a response that literally left me standing in awe.

“I like the idea. Sure, it would need to be finessed a bit, but it does have legs. I understand what you are saying. My company donates to this cause, but I know that exposure on a larger level could really help them grow and serve more in the community. It’s sort of related to the concept of the bell ringers during the holidays. That approach is unbiased as to people’s income, connections and whatnot. Need is something anyone, of any income level can understand. A person, with their last dollar in their pocket can donate it to the kettle and the cause, just as a man with a healthy billfold could do the same. What brought both men to that kettle in the first place, was awareness and genuine human compassion.”

The conversations surrounding me began to end and people moved on to other things, but as I was walking away, the CEO approached me and handed me his card and smiled. “And to think I thought that all marketers were after was a buck…”

‘How did you know what I do? I don’t remember having told you’ I said to him, surprised that he knew my profession.

‘It’s my job to know the people in the room, but only a marketer could have the brains to think of an idea like that, and the balls to say it to the guy who foots most of the bill for the event you are attending.”

Yes, it was quite a proposal. But I am sticking to my guns on what I said. As a marketer, what if you approached that client with the very same idea? Sure you might get a no, but you also might get a “tell me more”. People care. And this day and age, we are all caring a whole lot more as we know that as a person, we really CAN make a difference.

As a marketer I may be in the business of making clients money, building brands, etc. but even though my profession is largely centered around taking, as a person, I choose to be giving.

It’s funny how in St. Louis, you seem to be able to bump into someone you know or who you know mutually through another person around every corner. The easiest scenario for this to occur is in the local watering hole, AKA – bar, pub, public house and place of beverage induced merriment.

It wasn’t but a few short weeks ago when your ADgitator found her way into a quaint little pub after a particularly exhausting day. As I took my seat at the bar, I noticed a fellow patron eyeballing me. I didn’t take much notice, figuring he was just taking in the people watching. It wasn’t until a drink was sent over by this patron that I paid attention to this “stranger”.

I acknowledged him and thanked him for the drink, and politely informed him that I was spoken for. He laughed and told me that his girlfriend would have an issue with him being so forward, but he said he owed me the drink. I did not know as to what he was leading to, so I apologized for not knowing him.

As it turns out, many columns ago, I gave him some advice (see the posting When On The Titanic) in which he took, and all turned out for the better. He said that when he left the failing agency, they were already laying off people. He did indeed land at another shop for a spell, and then became disenchanted entirely with the industry.

Mr. X, as I will call him (he asked to remain anonymous since this town is so small) said he just became lost. He hated the crazy hours, the demanding clients, the bitchy account staff, the oblivious management, and felt sorry for his fellow abused creative staff that were overworked, underpaid and underappreciated.

He said that one day he just got up and left. He walked out and left a note on his desk that simply read, “I Quit.” My jaw was hanging open. Here was a fellow with more than moxie, he was quite possibly crazy – and I was taken aback by his nerve. He explained that he couldn’t take another day of what he called “The Greedy Box of Hell”, where clients were regularly gouged with inflated fees that somehow, never made their way to the actual employees. (He said this was because the upper management had to keep up their over-inflated self worth with lavish bonuses despite the fact that the employees had taken pay cuts in good faith.)

I told him that I was sorry to hear of his version of career hell and offered to help any way I could. He smiled and said that he was good, but thanks. “I would never go back to that industry and way of life if they offered me a fat six-figure salary with all the fringes” he chortled. Mr. X said that he took a real hard look at what he loved and didn’t love about the industry, and explored what he would be happiest doing and earning a living in doing so. He said that with his positive mindset, he threw himself into some hobbies, volunteered and traveled.

He said he never once let doubt or fear set in as to how he was going to keep a roof over his head. “I was lost,” “So I just made up a new map to find myself again.” That statement really stuck with me and moved me. As he was settling up his bar tab he passed me his card and thanked me again for the advice and hoped I had a nice evening.

“You don’t mind if I put this on AdSaint do you?” I called after him. “No, I figured you would. You haven’t been around in a while. Your readers miss you.” Flattered, I smiled. As he left I looked at his card. As it turns out, the former “Passenger on the S.S. Interactive Titanic” is now happily employed as an architectural salvage expert, personal chef and visual artist. And I say, good for him. It takes a big man to recognize when you’ve made a career mistake. And it takes an even bigger man to make a complete change in favor of personal fulfillment in true fearless fashion.

Over the past few months, I have been talking to assorted industry folks and have been posing one simple question. “If all else fails, what would you do next?”

The responses I got were astonishing. It would seem that most people would keep right on doing what they had always been doing as far as a career was concerned. There was also a small handful of people that opted to go out on their own, blazing a trail in otherwise uncharted territories, far from what had always been comfortable to them.

It is that small handful that I wish to more closely look at. These people are far from conventional. They are not afraid to take risks and pursue what in short, would make them “happy.”

Wow. Happy. That is something that many people have forgotten about because they are far too concerned with keeping a job, period. Gone are the days of actually being excited to go to work for employers that (gasp) actually treat their most important assets like well, an asset. No, not the clients or brick and mortar, but the people who make it all happen.

It’s an employers world as most of us know, with no clear end in sight. Fear not dear readers, not all is gloom and doom.

There are still employers out there who value people, (though you must do your research to find the gems) and there is always the option of “If All Else Fails”, or, pursuing what would put a smile back on your face, and a pep in your step.

These happy people have went on to doing such things as working for themselves, taking the leap to an entirely new career altogether and one person opted to never work again – at least not in this country. Others had decided to take the leap to the client side and a few rallied their friends and former colleagues to start their own shop (and good for them). Two moved out west to try their hand at writing for the ‘telly and the big screen, and one person vows to collect unemployment for as long as Uncle Sam will keep paying. He said he felt that it was owed to him having never collected once in his entire 14 year career thus far. He has taken up photography and gardening. And I say good for him as well. I look forward to some great tomatoes come summer time.

So dear readers, if all else fails, what would YOU do next?

Many of us have not given this much thought unless we are amongst the thousands in the St. Louis area who were forced to give it some serious mulling over much sooner than we had ever dreamt.

I for one have always had the mantra of having the “If All Else Fails” plan. I would drop out of life, get a boob job to rival Pam Anderson’s, and spend my time in Cannes hitting on B and C list celebrities while writing some trashy novels.

On a serious note (although Cannes sounds wonderful and an upgrade might be amusing), I would dedicate my time to writing books (which I love) and pursuing part time work writing a travel column for the directionally challenged like myself and big the “big idea” person for a kid’s brand.

The forum is open reader. It’s time you give it some thought. Scenario: You just got your walking papers. What is your “If All Else Fails Plan”? We would love to hear from you. Perhaps that crazy idea you have isn’t so crazy after all. Perhaps all you need is the push to do it. Maybe you have a business idea. Odds are, there is someone else who would be willing to go on the journey with you.

Feel free to share. Your of “Cannes” is waiting….

All the Best,

The ADgitator.

So, you got a new job. Or maybe, you are still in the same position. Perhaps you’re on the market and looking for a new place to call your second home. There is one thing I BEG of you to do. Make sure whatever role you accept, are in, or thinking about filling, is the right fit.

I am not talking about “taking any job to have a job,” I am referring to taking a role that you will be fulfilled and happy in. Sure, I understand that sometimes you have to bite the bullet and put food on the table, but if you take a job solely for that reason, you are doing yourself a disservice. Not only that, you are costing employers thousands upon thousands of dollars when you decide to quit and find something else, or get fired because it’s clear you fit at that company about as well as a twenty pound pig fits into a ten pound sack (thanks to my friend Hilary for that funny little analogy).

Even if you are forced to take any role that opens up, find something that at the very least, will enable you to pass the time without having the urge to maim a customer/client for one stupid request too many.

Unhappiness in the workplace is costing our country billions of dollars each year in unemployment insurance, rising healthcare costs (from attributed workplace stress) and generally leading more companies to outsource work to places where the employees really don’t know a good work situation from a bad one. Hell, those people are just happy to be making two bucks a day.

Now I am not letting businesses off the hook that easy. Companies too have to sit and really reassess “what” they really can offer employees as far as work environment/company culture, benefits and pay. Many companies sit and scratch their heads and wonder how some of their competitors and counterparts have stellar candidates and top graduates beating down their door to get a job with them, while they struggle to hire and retain top employees.

I have heard so many stories about the “inner workings” of many companies around the St. Louis area, most have the good and bad (as can be expected), but then when I hear a “horror” story about an employer, I look at the overall “fit” of the person who is sharing the insight with me and the company itself.

Job seekers and current employees and employers too, should look at the employment process as you would dating; would you continue to see someone or even be married to a person that you knew deep down just wasn’t right? Sure, it’s nice to have someone around (or to fill a role), but at the end of the day, it really just drains you both dry because both parties are too shy to address the issue.

Friends – the stress that results in that is sure to give you more stress and put more lines on your face, than La Lohan has lines on her coffee table. It’s just not good.

If you aren’t happy, do a self-assessment. Why aren’t you happy? If it can be changed, change it. If you like where you work but loathe the role, perhaps you should look and see if you can make a new role for yourself within the current company. Or, if that opportunity doesn’t exist, make arrangements and get an offer in hand to move along, and then meet with your boss.

Yes, meet with them and let them know the discontentment, but odds are, they can already sense it. If they like you and your work, they’ll more than likely make another role for you that would be better suited. If it’s not possible, it’s best for both parties that you move on amicably.

Now in some cases, employers who sense the fit isn’t working out will offer the employee another role (to try to make it better), or they will give you notice that it’s time for you to “start looking”. I applaud both of these approaches, and the intent  (so long that it’s true) behind it. They keep unemployment costs down and give the employee time to figure out what’s best for them, and to dust off the resume.

There always are the employers (and employees) who because we are in an “at will” employment state, can give you no reason, no notice, no explanation and simply tell you that you are being “let go” or that “they quit”. That is a more gentile terminology for being fired/”see you later.”

And I’ll tell you this – it’s probably the best thing that will ever happen for you both.

Really, it is! I know it sounds awful and scary, and yes, you may curse that person for what they’ve “done to you”, and they may be pissed or upset that they had to do it (they know that they have to go through interviewing again), but it will end up okay. It always does. It doesn’t seem like it at the time, but somehow you both end up just fine, and way happier in the end.

Bottom line, it’s up to you to make your job situation one that will drive your overall happiness and satisfaction. After all, work is the one place where we spend an average of 8 or more hours a day, 40+ hours a week, and nearly fifty years doing – make sure it fits like a glove.