How to Sell Your Vision More Effectively - Michael Margolis

In Chapter 17 of 17 in his 2012 Capture Your Flag interview, educator and entrepreneur Michael Margolis answers "How Are You Getting Better at Selling Your Vision?"  Margolis finds it happens by translating his vision into concrete content, events, and programs including classes, seminars, webinars, blogs and social media.  He discusses the important of creating building blocks in an online experience to progressively socialize your vision or truth into a shareable reality.  Michael Margolis is founder and president of Get Storied, an education and publishing platform dedicated to teaching the world how to think in narrative.  He earned a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Tufts University. 

How Leadership and Management Roles Differ - Mike Germano

In Chapter 10 of 19 in his 2012 Capture Your Flag interview, social media ad agency CEO Mike Germano answers "How Do Leadership and Management Differ in What You Do?"  Germano acknowledges his weaknesses as a manager and what he has done to compensate in a team setting.  He shares what behaviors and experiences have shaped him as a leader and how he has recruited and empowered managers working in digital media.  Mike Germano is co-founder and CEO of DUMBO, Brooklyn based social media advertising agency Carrot Creative.  Previously, Germano ran for and was elected to public office in Connecticut.  He is a graduate of Quinnipiac University. 

How to Foster Employee Career Development - Mike Germano

In Chapter 12 of 19 in his 2012 Capture Your Flag interview, social media ad agency CEO Mike Germano answers "How are You Creating New Opportunities for Your Employees to Grow Their Careers?"  Germano and his team continually seek to improve ways to strengthen employee career path opportunities including international office expansion and new product development.  Mike Germano is co-founder and CEO of DUMBO, Brooklyn based social media advertising agency Carrot Creative.  Previously, Germano ran for and was elected to public office in Connecticut.  He is a graduate of Quinnipiac University. 

How to Use Customer Feedback to Improve Product - Julie Hession

In Chapter 20 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession answers "What Tools and Processes Do You Find Most Useful in Measuring Business Performance?"  Hession relies on customer feedback to evolve her product marketing.  By doing in-store sampling demos of her granola, she gathers feedback on product positioning and quality.  Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV. 

What American Express Marketing Job Teaches MBA - Anatole Faykin

In Chapter 7 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Internet entrepreneur Anatole Faykin answers "As an MBA, What Did You Learn About Product Marketing Working at American Express?"  Working in the American Express, or AmEx, travel division, he learns how large organizations can leverage economies of scale to make big bets on projects or campaigns.  Through this process, he learns lessons on brand loyalty and brand management.  Faykin is the founder of Tuanpin, a Shanghai-based daily deals site he grew to 25 employees and sold in the fall of 2011.  Previously, he worked for British Telecom in London, Intel in Shanghai, American Express in New York, and Oracle in San Francisco as well as several startup ventures.  He holds an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business and a BS in computer science and biology from the California Institute of Technology.

How Peer Support Makes Writing Career More Fulfilling - Scott Gold

In Chapter 20 of 20 of his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, author and writer Scott Gold answers "How Has Peer Support Made Your Writing Career More Fulfilling?"  Gold notes how fortunate he is to have a small, close group of food writing friends that functions as both a social and support network.  At events, he is able to talk with peers about the food industry as well as writing.  He notes that while some journalists and non-fiction writers are protective of ideas, his group tends to be more open and sharing.  Scott Gold is an author and writer based in New York City.  When not writing, Gold moonlights as a bartender at Char no. 4 restaurant in Brooklyn.  He earned a BA in Philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis. 

How Friendships Help Overcome Hardship - Hattie Elliot

In Chapter 2 of 16 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, The Grace List founder and entrepreneur Hattie Elliot answers "What Has Going Through Difficult Times Taught You About the Meaning of Friendship?"  Elliot separates social friends from established ones who can be relied on in trying times. While going through a lawsuit, Elliot finds support in new friends who provide support in a very difficult time.  Elliot is the founder and CEO of The Grace List, which is redefining the dating world by creating opportunities for singles to revitalize personal interests and find intriguing people who will influence their lives.  Before founding The Grace List, Elliot worked as a social entrepreneur and business development consultant.  Elliott graduated from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, where she studied economics, philosophy, and politics.

How to Make Your Leader More Effective - Matt Curtis

In Chapter 4 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, public affairs and communications strategist Matt Curtis answers "How Do You Make a Leader More Effective in What You Do?" He notes the importance of supporting them and focusing not on individual aims but the aims of the elected official. Curtis notes the daily challenges elected officials face with nonstop interaction. He amplifies leadership effectiveness by providing a positive environment and also identifying and making introductions that support his leader's aims. Curtis is the communications director for Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell. Curtis' charity work includes affiliations with Capital Area Food Bank, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Students of the World, the Rainforest Project and the Art Alliance. In 2011, Curtis won "Austinite of the Year" in the Austin Under 40 Awards. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.

How Consumers Control the Brand Marketing Experience - Mike Germano

In Chapter 13 of 16 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, social media expert and Carrot Creative president Mike Germano shares why participation plays such a key role creating a brand experience. He notes brands are no longer tailored by the advertiser alone. Rather, customers and consumers are now taking ownership of how a brand is communicated online and offline. Participation allows advertisers and marketers a means to engage and support customers, in effect collaborating with them to define a brand and establish the aspirational attractiveness that come with it. Germano is co-founder and president of DUMBO, Brooklyn based new media agency Carrot Creative. Before Carrot Creative, Germano ran for and was elected to public office in Connecticut. He is a graduate of Quinnipiac University.

How Social Media Transparency Increases Fan and Follower Loyalty - Mark Graham

In Chapter 6 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, pop culture writer and editor Mark Graham shares how transparent writing and blogging styles are becoming more prevalent in big media, including at Viacom where he works. Corporate media and publishing companies are realizing the value of engaging audiences as individuals. Readers and fans are progressively demanding personalized interaction on Twitter exchanges, Facebook posts, and blog comments. By showcasing the people behind the corporate responses, Graham finds companies develop closer bonds with audiences and build more loyal customer bases. He provides examples from his experiences connecting to the Twilight fan community via the VH1 show "The Fab Life." Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

What Creates Enduring Friendships - Doug Jaeger

In Chapter 11 of 12 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, designer Doug Jaeger shares how friendships differ from acquaintances and business relationships. He notes business relationships are by nature transactional and results-driven. Sometimes these become friendships but Jaeger notes it is not required. He sees friends not as a shoulder to cry on; rather, he sees friends as people with whom to share one's life and create happiness. They develop from shared experiences which become more enduring as the relational bonds and history grows. Jaeger is a partner at design firm JaegerSloan - http://jaegersloan.com/ - and is also president of the Art Director's Club - http://www.adcglobal.org/ . Previously he founded thehappycorp and has served in creative director leadership roles at TBWA/Chiat/Day and JWT. Jaeger holds a BFA in Computer Graphics and Art Media Studies from Syracuse University.

What Gatorade Teaches About Social Media Branding Innovation - Caroline Giegerich

In Chapter 10 of 10 of her 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, marketing innovator and digital strategist Caroline Giegerich shares how big brands are innovating customer relationship marketing by using large scale social media monitoring. She cites Gatorade, and its social media "war room" as an example of how a company is putting a higher priority on monitoring and engaging social media customer feedback, ideas, and exchanges. Giegerich is currently Director of Innovations at Initiative, where she brainstorms and executes cross-platform marketing strategies. She has worked in online marketing roles at both HBO and the Los Angeles Times. She holds a BA in Pre-Med Sciences and Philosophy from Brown University.

How to Use Location Applications to Improve Brand Marketing - Caroline Giegerich

In Chapter 9 of 10 of her 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, marketing innovator and digital strategist Caroline Giegerich shares what she considers when designing online experiences to connect consumers to in-store purchases. Giegerich defines this as the art of checking in. She points out negotiating the conversation around high impact, low volume audience versus larger reach marketing alternatives such as television. Giegerich is currently Director of Innovations at Initiative, where she brainstorms and executes cross-platform marketing strategies. She has worked in online marketing roles at both HBO and the Los Angeles Times. She holds a BA in Pre-Med Sciences and Philosophy from Brown University.

The Art of the Check-In as a Social Media Branding Tool - Caroline Giegerich

In Chapter 8 of 10 of her 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, marketing innovator and digital strategist Caroline Giegerich defines what it means to check-in using social media such as Foursquare and the resulting art behind the check-in experience. Giegerich ties both product and personal branding to the check-in experience and how location-specific or brand-specific check-ins help define a person over time. Giegerich is currently Director of Innovations at Initiative, where she brainstorms and executes cross-platform marketing strategies. She has worked in online marketing roles at both HBO and the Los Angeles Times. She holds a BA in Pre-Med Sciences and Philosophy from Brown University.

Why Marketers Should Empower Audiences to Speak for Brands - Caroline Giegerich

In Chapter 7 of 10 of her 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, marketing innovator and digital strategist Caroline Giegerich shares why audience participation plays such an important role creating a brand experience. Giegerich highlights the increasing acceptance of marketers empowering their audiences to speak for the brands. When audiences create the messaging, they feel more invested in the brand and is more likely to buy the brand. Giegerich is currently Director of Innovations at Initiative, where she brainstorms and executes cross-platform marketing strategies. She has worked in online marketing roles at both HBO and the Los Angeles Times. She holds a BA in Pre-Med Sciences and Philosophy from Brown University.

Why Define Success by the Relationships You Create - Alan McNab

In Chapter 17 of 17 in his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, customer advocacy marketing executive Alan McNab defines and measures success based on the relationships he has created. McNab reflects on the experiences and overall history that constitute his story. Through ups and downs over more than a decade McNab learns to value relationships as commitments and experience strengthen the bonds over time. McNab holds a BSEE in Electrical Engineering from Santa Clara University and an MBA from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. He has worked in various technology marketing roles at Hewlett-Packard, Cisco, Motorola, and is now Vice President, Customer Advocacy at NCR based in Dublin.

How Customer Advocacy Impacts Marketing Strategy - Alan McNab

In Chapter 4 of 17 in his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, customer advocacy marketing executive Alan McNab defines customer advocacy and details its marketing strategy impact. The power of a customer reference can be an indispensable marketing tool. Creating a culture of customer advocacy, where customers take a stand for a company and its product, can be a tremendous strategic asset for a company. McNab holds a BSEE in Electrical Engineering from Santa Clara University and an MBA from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. He has worked in various technology marketing roles at Hewlett-Packard, Cisco, Motorola, and is now Vice President, Customer Advocacy at NCR based in Dublin.

How Keeping Promises Strengthens Cisco Customer Relationships - Alan McNab

In Chapter 3 of 17 in his 2010 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, customer advocacy marketing executive Alan McNab details how he learned customer support and intimacy skills working with Cisco early in his career. Keeping promises allows Cisco to strengthen its customer relationships. This process starts by capturing a concern, then assessing it, and and finally delivering a solution. McNab holds a BSEE in Electrical Engineering from Santa Clara University and an MBA from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. He has worked in various technology marketing roles at Hewlett-Packard, Cisco, Motorola, and is now Vice President, Customer Advocacy at NCR based in Dublin.