Lunch ‘n Learn Series 1: How Two Top CD’s Transformed Themselves and Their Careers

What is it like to have lunch with two of the most creative, animated and innovative creative directors in Atlanta? I found out last week at a high-energy lunch with Michael Taylor of Clarity Close (formerly CEO of Merge Agency) and Blair Caplinger, Principal at Blair Caplinger | Creative Direction (former Executive CD of THINK Interactive). They spoke (very) openly about transforming their lives and careers after their worlds seemed to crumble under the weight of the recent economic downturn.

It seems that from great tragedy can come great change. Michael ran Merge, his successful design and interactive agency for 20 years before the clients panicked in 2008 and things started to go down hill. Michael had grown from being a hands-on designer to a CEO of a formidable high tech agency with a Buckhead office, large staff and a Fortune 500 client roster. But, he had become removed from the day-to-day operations and what his clients really needed. Was the solution contained in the capabilities of his 30-person agency? During the 2008-2009 economic down turn he started to adapt accordingly – laying off people, cutting overhead and pitching new business like mad. Soon, the reality set in that it was best for him not to go down with the ship. Michael was surprised that this tragedy didn’t make him more uncomfortable. In fact, despite the closing of Merge, he hadn’t really “lost” anything. After a lot of soul searching to find a better way to use his experience, Michael connected with former competitor Karen See (former CEO of Abovo Group) and decided to join forces. It was a no brainer, Karen and Michael decided to bury the hatchet and start a very new kind of company with a single purpose…to help organizations increase their closing ratios. Listen as Michael describes the process of how he took the tragedy in front of him and came up with a plan that has transformed his career, his business and his overall happiness for the better.

Blair Caplinger has a similar story. Blair was the award-winning Creative Director at THINK Interactive, Answerthink and Think New Ideas. He was a true ECD, managing clients, teams and big budgets. In early 2009 the economy changed and his tenure at THINK ended. How on EARTH does one of the most creative, funny and well-known creatives in Atlanta not have a job? You must be joking. This must be a mistake. On several occasions we discussed his options: finding him another job, looking outside Atlanta (no way), go client-side or start consulting. “Seeing as there is no shortage of people seeking advice…” says Caplinger, consulting was a natural progression. He was enjoying his work again and getting more involved with clients on a strategic level. He was a happier man. Listen to how Blair describes consulting and how he’s learned to create a better reality for himself and his clients.

Watch the short videos and see how two old and dear friends have made lemonade out the lemons of 2009. Maybe it will inspire you to change your point of view and start a transformation of your very own.

We’ll be sharing more of my lunch with Michael and Blair on Nancy’s Corner all this month.

 

It's hot outside so why not get a cool new job? We have many exciting contract and permanent positions to fill in Atlanta. Below is a list of some of our latest openings.

Global Marketing Manager: Permanent - Alpharetta

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10 QUESTIONS YOU Can Ask on Your Interview

by Mariette Edwards

1. How would you characterize the organization? What are its principal values? What are its greatest challenges?

2. What are the organization’s most important goals?

3. How do you see this position impacting on the achievement of those goals?

4. What personal qualities or characteristics are most valued by the organization?

5. How would you describe the experience of working here?

6. What attracted you to working for this organization?

7. What have you liked most about working here?

8. How has the experience surprised or disappointed you?

9. If I were offered the opportunity to work with your organization, what would you like me to accomplish in my first ninety days?

10. If I were to be employed here, what one piece of wisdom would you want me to incorporate into my work life?

*Selected questions from this Star Maker list were included in 201 Best Questions To Ask On Your Interview by John Kador published by McGraw Hill. Mariette Edwards is an executive coach with an insider’s perspective on how businesses make people decisions. Visit her web site at www.starmakercoaching.com for more information or email: mariette@starmakercoaching.com. ©Copyright 2009 Mariette Edwards All rights reserved.

 

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