It’s a fantastic thing to watch an organization grow and develop — and to be able to talk about it publicly.
I don’t usually blog about my clients directly, perhaps out of an excess of caution that publicizing even their improvements might somehow expose them inappropriately.
So it’s a pleasure to be able to share this report of organizational evolution with full confidence that it’s good for the organization!
On June 11, the corporation that was founded as the Direct Marketing Educational Foundation (DMEF) 47 years ago changed its name and modified its mission. This was done as an acknowledgement that the world has changed — and the DMEF took decisive action to meet those changes by broadening its mandate, widening its appeal, and choosing a new name to match.
Would that all organizations recognized the need for change so readily, and adjusted so smoothly!
Now let the drum roll and the trumpet salute, and pull away the curtains to introduce the Marketing EDGE — because the new mission of the organization is to Educate, Develop, Grow, and Employ college students in the field of marketing.
What’s In It For Me?
Why do I care so much about Marketing EDGE? When I joined the board of the DMEF in 2003, I couldn’t fathom why we focused all our attention on colleges that had marketing programs or even on developmental experiences for the students themselves. It seemed fruitless to do this unless we were also focused on ensuring that these kids could eventually find jobs in the field, and concomitantly, that marketing companies could find entry-level talent that was sufficiently prepared to demonstrate immediate value.
As much as I believe in education, I believe in employment even more. Good work — interesting, developmental work — is one of the most important things that can happen in a person’s life to create a sense of efficacy and self-determination.
Because employment is explicitly part of Marketing EDGE’s mission and mandate, I expect to see all kinds of new advances — from tracking job placements to working with employers to create more and better jobs — all while staying connected to these new marketing employees we’ve nurtured or informed, so that we can reenact this virtuous cycle of training and employment as they progress into the ranks of marketing and business management.
Benefits at the EDGE
That’s the ideological aspect. Personally, part of why I have so enjoyed my involvement with Marketing EDGE has been having the opportunity to work closely with Terri Bartlett, president of Marketing EDGE. I think of her as the Chief Engagement Officer and sometimes as the Chief Excitement Officer — and in both roles she has been a pleasure.
Since Terri’s arrival in 2006, we’ve focused on strategy and planning and we’ve opened a broader vista for success. Thanks to Marketing EDGE, ever greater numbers of students will learn about exciting techniques and practices and go on to find rewarding careers in marketing and in which they use marketing. Placing more good people in more good jobs and getting more careers started is right up my alley.
If you’d like to help fuel this virtuous cycle, connect with Terri, or get a sharper Marketing EDGE for your company, you can get in touch with me, of course, or learn more here (Terri being interviewed) or here (Marketing EDGE website).
Onward and upward,
LK
Photo credit: Marketing EDGE twitter profile