MarCom Maven

I am reading Seth Godin's Small is the New Big, which is a collection of insights from a man whose mind obviously never takes a break.   My favorite quote: It's essentially impossible to become successful or well-off doing a job that is described and measured by someone else.
 
All marketers should make this thought their mantra.  It's not an invitation to ditch your current position (although Godin does make a good case for not being a "cog in a vast system" of corporate blather).   I believe that you can be successful defining your job within the confines of an organization.
 
I find that I am constantly re-writing my job. It keeps things more exciting. If I'm given a routine assignment (like writing the annual report), I want to make it that much more interesting.   I'll make it interactive, toss in some video or present it as a deck of cards…whatever. The idea is to keep challenging the folks who say, "We always do it this way and it's good enough." That's true marketing. Marketers are supposed to make up new rules, new job descriptions and new measurements for being successful.
 
Does all this re-thinking drive bosses batty? Yes, some will become outraged. But the truly good bosses know that they hired you to think…and if you're always thinking (ah hem, Mr. Godin), you're doing your job.