Five years back, when I was joining Creometric, somebody in my interview process asked that one question which has never made sense to me (I have never asked it when I interview potential candidates) - "where do you see yourself in 5 years?" And like everybody, I gave my interviewee some faff - it was accepted as the right answer and I was hired. Little did he know, nor I, or the whole world, know what was in store for all of us, a few years later.
It is fair to say that over the last five years, I have experienced tremendous growth both as an individual as well as in my career as a marketing consultant. I've had to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of digital marketing and continuously hone my skills in leadership, communication, and problem-solving to stay ahead of the game. And, over the years, with my last company's foraying into the whole white-label servicing industry and lastly, with Covid came remote consulting, which meant I had to learn how to manage teams and projects effectively from a distance.
Right before Covid hit, Creometric was finally doing well, it was a steep learning curve for me as a manager (I had to strike a balance between my history being an entrepreneur and being a core member of the team that was promoted to lead a small team to great success if nothing else). Then, the dreaded lockdown hit, and with that came major layoffs - Creometric included.
The pandemic was by far the biggest defining moment in my career, the company was facing the harsh reality of having to lay off our entire staff, save for myself and a talented writer. In the face of adversity, I took it upon myself to handle the Herculean task of business development and sales, while also taking charge of critical areas such as SEO, SEM, and PPC. After a few long, grueling days of intense effort and unparalleled dedication, our efforts bore fruit.
We pivoted (became a part of a bigger better thing), adapting to the ever-changing landscape and securing a brand new set of international clients. Our profits soared to unimaginable heights, recording an astounding increase in revenue. With renewed vigor and a steely resolve, we rehired all our staff and, even expanded our team further, propelling us to greater heights of success.
But my journey of growth didn't stop there, the want to better was not pacified. I decided I needed a lifestyle change, so I quit smoking after 26 years of being a chain smoker (I am still not sure sure how I managed that). I realized that I needed to take control of my health and well-being, and this decision paved the way for a newfound energy and motivation for sports. I started playing tennis (and I think and hope I have gotten pretty good at it). These activities not only helped me stay physically fit but also gave me a renewed sense of purpose and motivation.
One of the most important thing that my growth journey has taught me is the value of patience and persistence, building a successful career, brand or a fulfilling life takes time, effort, and dedication, but the rewards are immeasurable.
So what are your long terms and short-term goals for the future?
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