Today's Marketing Cookie - Marketing Professionalism

Today's fortune came from Cheryl Alpert of Boston, MA. Cheryl is a senior marketing executive who has delivered results to emerging technology initiatives, start-ups, entrepreneurial divisions of larger companies, and in turnaround situations. If you need some marketing leadership in your company, and are interested in connecting with a great marketing pro, you should reach out to her on Twitter: @m2engage

Today's Marketing Cookie made me think about one of my most favorite sayings, "If you think hiring a professional is expensive, wait until you've hired an amateur."

Technically, if someone is paid for a service, he or she is a "practicing professional". This does not however, mean, by any stretch of the imagination, that they are practicing "professionalism".  While today's fortune suggests that professionalism is knowing how and when to do something and then doing it, I like to believe that professionalism is a higher measure of one's conduct.  A marketer who exhibits the highest level of professionalism, has a sincere interest and desire to do a job as well as possible and holds a positive attitude towards their company, their coworkers, their customers and their profession.

Respect is the reward given to a professional, but must be earned as a result of keeping one's word and for loyalty. When a marketer keeps their promises and consistently delivers results, they earn a reputation for their professionalism. Rather than bouncing from one company to another, looking for a slightly better position, find an opportunity to plant yourself where you make a long term impact.

Money is the reward given to a professional, but can't be the sole objective of one's career.  If it is, than you are merely working at a job... not building a career. When a marketer exhibits professionalism, he or she will refuse projects that stand in conflict with their personal morales or interests, regardless of the money that has been offered.

This principle is of particular importance to me! I must completely believe in the products for which I am marketing, or I and my clients will be unsuccessful.  Over the years, I have turned away hundreds of thousands of dollars for projects that were in conflict with my beliefs and although it probably slowed the advancement of the financial stability of my family, I can always be proud of what I have accomplished with my short time on this earth.

While today's fortune says, "Professionalism is knowing how to do it, when to do it, and doing it." I would like to add a thought to today's fortune and perhaps rewrite it.  I would like to see it written this way, "Professionalism is knowing how to do it correctly, when to do it right, and doing it carefully, consistently, and honestly."