Mediafly Blog

As I stood in the security line at the City of Chicago Federal Courthouse, the predictable dread of jury duty hit me square in the face of my Monday morning reality. I was beyond frustrated that I had to reschedule the day’s prospect presentations that I worked so hard to get and prepare for. Anyone in sales knows that rescheduling meetings like this can have a real impact on momentum. Therefore, you can imagine my complete collapse that afternoon when I was selected as juror #14 on a federal criminal case slated to run the entire week.

Oh, how I love the world of sales. Fast-paced, challenging, and unpredictable are some the words I would use to describe it. If I had to choose one of my favorite things, it would be presenting. Meeting people from different brands, hearing their challenges, and designing solutions are what drives me every day.

Throughout my career, I have seen several sales presentations that ranged from perfection to an utter nightmare. Working in sales you expect things to be unpredictable, as there are always a million things that could go wrong. Like a good John Carpenter horror movie, there was one experience that I had been a part of, that was the stuff of nightmares.

During my childhood, on hot sticky summer days, my father and I would get ice cream sundaes to help us cool off. Margie’s Candies, a sundae shop and Chicago staple since 1921, was our go-to place to fill our bellies with all the deliciousness they offered. But what was so special about Margie’s Candies that kept us going there each summer? It was all about their presentation.

For many CMOs, navigating the digital landscape can be a lot like a game of chess. Every decision that is made needs to be strategic, calculated, and adaptable. Each piece has its own function that is integral to the overall comprehensive strategy. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, digital transformation has become the new king across the globe.