How to Craft Your Professional Development - Anthony Williams

In the final part of our series: “I am more than my CV”, we interview digital marketing native and communications strategist, Anthony (Tonny) Williams. Tonny has vast experience in the digital marketing space and often acts as a strategic consultant for companies. In this last interview, Tonny talks about how to keep abreast with the changes in the digital marketing world, how to differentiate yourself, and continually build a strong CV. 

Tell us your story?

I wear several hats. I am a cross-channel marketing communications person, not an expert. In the past few years, as the marketing industry has changed and technology has evolved, I have become more digitally focussed. My approach to my work generally is trying as much as possible to understand who the customers are and tell stories about the brand. I’ve had a myriad of job titles from; Digital Marketing Lead, Head of Social, and Digital Specialist but they’re just titles, they don’t encompass the entirety of the role. I work contracts and have recently wrapped a contract with a Hexagon.

How have your crafted your niche in your field?

Most of my roles have been from headhunting but I moved into the digital world in 2012, and I was previously doing more traditional advertising such as newspaper advertising, then I managed Now TV when it came out. Following this, of course, the rise of social media came and that made a shift in how many companies approached their marketing strategy altogether. I in turn also adapted in moved into social media strategy and content strategy. 

I have taken on my contract roles because they give you a good understanding of different businesses and industries. I now have a wide range of knowledge in different areas, products, and services, as well as a grasp of how businesses operate in distinct ways. This has subsequently strengthened my CV in making in skillset unique because I have such wide yet strong experience. 

 How do I develop a strategy for my career?

It’s important to keep in mind that a wealth of opportunities are always there, but for these organisations, it’s about what you bring to the table. It’s about what crucially makes you a valued asset to the company. it’s essential that as a professional, you know this first and foremost and can then demonstrate and communicate this in practice. 

If you’re an entry-level professional, it’s wise to stay at that level and methodically and gradually grow by building on your skills in your chosen core areas. For example, anyone in the marketing space (like myself) should view themselves as a C-level marketer; you’re not an expert but you have concentrated enough time, thought, effort and practice to think and operate with strategic thinking. Having a variety of roles and titles that helps you grow and progress as you learn and develop skills as the job descriptions will set new expectations. If you would like to do contracts, find the areas you want to focus on, define your personal learning and narrow in on them.

Keep asking yourself, “why am I here?”

I think it’s also important to have a close network of friends in the workplace who you trust. This network is a few individuals with who you can run ideas past, cross-reference, check your deliverables, and go to advise for general support.

I always keep in mind the phrase “you don’t own the jobs, then jobs don’t own you”. This keeps me grounded and centres my perspective on career and personal growth above everything else. I personally also sit and set my A long-term and short-term plans - I put sticky notes on my wall and do my mapping. This helps me not only plan but keeps me accountable and makes the likelihood of success and achieving my goals higher. Ultimately,  I’m a work in progress and I’m always actively learning to improve.

Is there anything notable that you’ve learned from a good or bad mentor?

Well, the first mentor is you. You have to coach and guide yourself as well as you can. The way I mentor myself is by keeping abreast of the latest marketing trends, advancements, and research. I use tools such as; Brandwatch, Falcon, Youtube, Sprout Social and Sprinkler. Platforms such as Reddit, Telegram, and Slack - in my industry and great places to situate yourself because of where the experts are. Getting into their conversations and findings informs your knowledge and growth. 

The bad mentors were the best for me because what they said I couldn't do, I went on to prove that I could do it and it was great motivation. 

If you’d like to find out more about Tonny, you can connect with him here.