Related Posts
If you are thinking of starting a law practice or growing one with little or no capital, you need to get the book, “Starting & Growing a Law Practice without Breaking the Bank.
It was written based on personal experience and research. I started my practice 11 years ago in the middle of the 2008/2009 recession with about $500 and I have grown the practice significantly over the years using affordable and available resources.
I also coach solo practitioners and small firm attorneys. https://www.amazon.com/Starting-Growing-Practice-Without-Breaking/dp/1099523303
What do you think of this blue strap?
I’m looking for some additional tips and/or specific things to focus on in preparation for the multi-round interview process for a role at Amazon Web Services in what I assume is for one of the cloud services team. From what I’ve gathered, is the interviews are largely based on the leadership principles. However, how do I know which would be asked? which would be more related to the role/or team I’d be on? What other types of questions to prepare for leading to the 1-on-1 with the hiring manager
Additional Posts in Strategy & Planning
New to Fishbowl?
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That is most definitely not normal. Make sure to flag this in comms with either your manager or the strategy department leader letting them know you’re not receiving the necessary amount of oversight
Not normal. It’s good to be given opportunities to work independently so you can really stretch yourself, but there’s a huge difference between working independently and being hung out to dry. You deserve growth, and growth comes with guidance.
So very far from normal. Do you ever meet with your manager?
Hi! You are not alone! I’ve been in the same situation for five months. I’ve talked to other strategists and they assure me it’s NOT normal. I also deal with imposter syndrome which makes everything worse. Try to build a group of strategists you can trust to kick ideas around with because otherwise you will burnout.
I’m sorry you’re in this position. Their expectations are unfair and as a junior strategist the most important thing you can find is caring, talented mentors. That said this situation does happen (at least it did for me) when you’re starting out in strategy; it’s a niche (awesome) role that usually only hires very experienced people and has few jr opps. Very few people find this role straight out of school bc very few companies make any effort to train strats. Continue to push back for time and attention and know strategy is challenging and without any real playbook but you have the potential or you wouldn’t be there. But also recommend you start a search for another Jr strat role elsewhere. It may take a while but once you find the right fit this job is the best in the business IMO. You could also look into courses and frameworks on communities like this one, there was a lot of self teaching that I had to do! Good luck— you will be made stronger & smarter though this experience in the long run!
Hey OP- I was looking up the name to a book I used, it’s called a Practical Pocket Guide to Account Planning. It’s simple and straightforward and just a nice to have.
No. It’s not the norm. And it’s a crappy place to be, speaking from 1.5 years of experience in this exact situation.
Are you the only strategist servicing your account(s)? Are you client-facing? Are there members of other departments working your agency with whom you work closely?
I found solace, guidance, and structure from my AEs and PMs.
There are different managing styles. Given what you shared, it sounds like your manager is the type to assume all is okay unless something is said.
I strongly encourage you to reach out to your manager and request time to meet with them. Weekly at the least. Air your frustrations...professionally. Express what you need to move forward and to grow ie time to collaborate, feedback, check-ins, etc.
I hate to agree with SVP Creative Strategy1 because it sucks, but manage up. Solve your problem, because your managers don’t seem motivated to do it for you.
Not normal at all. You should have a very strong support net
Noooooo not normal.
I wonder if you work here.
🤷♂️
not normal at all. my manager provides EXCELLENT oversight and guidance. check in with your executive leadership and get that straightened out
Very not normal. I feel for you, managers have been trying their best, I know, but if you are this in your own right now - that’s not okay.
Please raise your hand and say something to your manager. And if that goes nowhere, talk to your managers manager.
The pandemic has created a lot irregularities, but this sounds unacceptable.
Not normal at all, that's one heck of a way to build a silo-ed agency, where everyone functions in isolated bubbles, which translates in deadlines being missed or pushed back in a circular effect with ends with demoralized staff.
Sorry about your experience but I would suggest trying to network with strategists.
Take analogy we building a car, we build the chassis, we're awaiting the engine to arrive, then when the engine arrives, told it's the wrong engine block for the car.
That's where upcoming staff needs leadership and direction, in understanding what's being created .
Are you the same associate strategist that’s being asked to give your department a workshop?
Thank you for sharing your thoughts 😊 I really needed to hear this and what the others have said. I was thinking of calling it quits for strategy overall because of this weird agency experience. I am glad to know that this isn’t the norm, it gives me hope on what could be next for me.
I really want to grow and this place isn’t helping me rather it’s diminishing my confidence. I want to believe in myself again and honestly this thread has helped me know there is probably something better out there.
I’ve found the “Sweathead, Strategy with Friends” FB group quite useful. Lots of friendly and knowledgeable people on there. Good luck OP, hang in there!
Normal? No. Rare? No.
And it's becoming increasingly less rare. Are you working on small accounts?
 I’m alarmed to hear that you feel it is becoming less rare. I don’t mean this in a rosy glasses kind of way, I mean it in a very pragmatic way. In the end, if projects are done terribly it will not just come back on the junior strategist, it will come back on the person who is supposedly managing them, as it will be obvious they didn’t guide. Growing our people into valuable resources isn’t something we do as charity or for fun (though it is usually fun), it is a business imperative.
I really think it’s time for a talk with your manager regarding The difference between having enough rope to play and having enough rope to hang yourself.
Where do you work? What is your account? Who is your supervisor? We can figure it out from there.
If it feels like a toxic situation then it probably is, and you should leave. But before leaving consider if your situation is at all different than people you work with. I am guessing you asked and they told you no otherwise why would you be venting here. There is probably more to this story and you should consider that it’s not necessarily all your bosses fault- though they are clearly failing if that’s your POV.
Any updates on your situation?
No this is not normal. Have you asked for help?
My suggestion is to put a weekly meeting on your boss calendar for 30 minutes to discuss projects, your growth and your concerns.