It all Started with an Idea

Ideas can spread within self-organized markets much faster than any company or marketing strategy can envision. As I was sitting down to write my post on marketing -- this will be a week filled with inspiration from the trenches -- I got tagged by Ann Michael to write 5 unknown things about me.

Given the first links Ann shared about me in her December blogtipping, one of the best disguised things about me is that I am absolutely passionate about marketing, which is what I have been doing -- and holding myself accountable for -- in 5 industries for about 18 years in corporate America. Because I am intensely interested in people, an offshoot of that has been a foray into communications parallel to the operational side of my work. Hence the conversation agent was born.

I was Made in Italy, this is known. I knew I would operate in the US of A since I was six years of age and have built my education and thinking with that in mind over the course of my life. How's that for perseverance, planning and putting a system/process into place?

When I'm not busy writing and helping companies sell more, rescue new brands and create and launch new ones, I work with my hands. I have done heavy construction and finishing work around my house including the demolition of a roof, two full bathrooms and a kitchen (with help). When all else fails, I may have a skill to fall back on that cannot be outsourced so easily. I think all creatives need a practical outlet to express their pent-up skill. Hands-on is a good way to go.

I actually interviewed for a position at Fast Company magazine when they were still in Boston and was not chosen. It would have been for their live event team, the folks who used to bring the advertisers' brands to life. Instead, I decided to take on the volunteer work with the inactive network in Philadelphia, which is where I met Ann after we realized we lived a few miles apart. That work has changed my life.

I love watching old movies, even the black and white ones, the storytelling is just superb and who can resist a good story?

Now I come to my favorite part, tagging other bloggers. In  my connective way of thinking, you should get to know Hugh MacLeod at gapingvoid, Deborah Schultz, Chris Baskind at more minimal, Stephanie Quilao at Back in Skinny Jeans, and Anna Farmery at The Engaging Brand. [If a full entry on your blogs does not work, feel free to put one as a comment here.]

Comments

[ann michael]

Wow - Valeria I'll have to remember your skills next time I'm remodelling my house!

a

[Anna Farmery]

Hey there thanks for the shout out! I have posted my 5 things - and I now regret letting the world know I am phobic about chickens!! Great idea - here are mine http://theengagingbrand.typepad.com/the_engaging_brand_/2006/12/five_things_mem.html