Marketing Professionalism.

Today's Marketing Cookie made me think about one of my 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 it must be earned as a result of keeping one's word and demonstrating 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 can 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, then 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 morals 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 I am marketing, or I and my clients will be unsuccessful. Over the years, I have turned away hundreds of thousands of dollars from projects that were in conflict with my beliefs and although it probably slowed the advancement of my family's financial stability, 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."