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Why a marketer's best investment should be in themselves
- 20 October 2023
It might be an after thought, but actively looking to develop professionally can be a priority which brings a real sense of fulfilment. Exploring how you can grow in your role can benefit both you and your company. In this article, freelance writer and CIM course director, Laura Bracher, speaks to industry specialists and shares her self-development top tips.
As humans, it's in our nature to learn, grow and change. We move through life meeting new people, exploring different places, working for various employers, and finding new interests along the way. This is self-development, and while it can be intentional, it often happens regardless. However, it benefits us and the businesses we work for to make it intentional.
Today, if you want to stay ahead in your career, you need to keep learning. This is especially important in marketing, where new trends and technologies emerge almost daily. Therefore, marketers must invest in themselves. This means continually growing and adapting, both in terms of technical skills and understanding of the market.
Many organisations have money set aside for employee development, but how do you approach them for it? Two learning and development experts offer some practical advice.
What is self-development?
Self-development involves learning new skills, and improving existing ones, helping us to increase our chances of success, achieve our goals, and fulfil our aspirations.
When we invest in self-development, we work on the social, emotional, and practical skills needed to help us accomplish the tasks we've set out for ourselves and reach our full potential.
When we invest in self-development, we work on the social, emotional, and practical skills needed to help us accomplish the tasks we've set out for ourselves and reach our full potential.
- Laura Bracher, freelance writer, CIM
At work, this is where professional development programs can help. Leadership programs, seminars, certifications, and conferences are great ways to improve existing skills and fill other gaps. It should be noted, however, that self-development doesn’t need to be long and intensive, as Charlotte Allfrey, director at HR Independents Ltd and founder of Metro HR explains.
"It's important to understand that self-development does not need to be a big initiative or onerous, and it should be as described ‘self’ led. This is not a business-led activity, and there are plenty of small things that individuals can build in to develop their knowledge and skills, which businesses can support and encourage.
"Job shadowing, asking for feedback, attending courses/conferences/seminars, working with a mentor or a coach, watching webinars, reading articles, e-learning, listening to relevant podcasts, working through a psychometric tool to gain a deeper understanding of yourself, learning from a network of peers. Anything that develops your skills or raises your profile personally or professionally, and often both."
Why is self-development important?
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