Ask Gill Career Advice

Q: I have just been appointed Marketing Manager. I know I am hired for my marketing expertise but I find it hard to stay creative in what sometimes feels like a very uncreative environment. What can I do to ignite my creativity once again?

A: We often hear from candidates who find that after the day-to-day runnings of their professional services workplace - with deadlines that were yesterday and partner needs to attend to - their marketing and creative genius can fall by the wayside. Being creative is generally one of the great assets a marketer has and, though some fantastic ideas are there, sometimes you just need a good kick-start to bring them to the fore.

Firstly, it is important that you take the time to THINK, THINK, THINK! Marketing people tend to be run off their feet and never take the time to sit and have some proper time-out to think. All ideas should be welcomed initially; so don't be negative and limit yourself. Quality does yield, and good ideas do evolve. It might be a case of you keeping a journal or ideas book - so what you can't do now, you have record for later (or an ok thought today might spin-off to a genius idea tomorrow!). Take rip-outs from magazines - graphics and phrases could be the stimulus you need; and putting pen to paper with brainstorms and mind-mapping are always good places to start. Above all, keeping happy and healthy are great ways to keep your mind open to new ideas and concepts!