Greetings in this New Year! 2008 is a special year for me as it marks the 20th Anniversary of my business, Quality Service Marketing.
I began Quality Service Marketing in 1988 for a number of reasons. Here are excerpts from my notes that year when I contemplated leaving my job in bank marketing. I wrote that I wanted:
Less frustration in a corporate environment I was not happy with* More control over my career More opportunity for greater achievement More time and flexibility to be with my family.
*I also found this note: “Reminder: Yes, it really was that bad!”
Making the Big Leap
I weighed the pro’s and con’s of being self-employed (I’m not a risk-taker by nature), talked with my colleagues who had taken the plunge, and tried to figure out how I could start a business focused on internal marketing and services marketing. (Back then, most self-employed marketers specialized in advertising/marketing communications, public relations, or market research.)
My first deliverable was a service quality management development seminar. Over the past 20 years, my client work has evolved to include more marketing training and marketing/strategic planning facilitation – with an emphasis on employee-customer care through internal marketing – for nonprofit and for-profit service-based organizations.
Going out on my own 20 years ago was one of the best decisions I ever made, next to marrying my husband. Seriously, I couldn’t have done any of this without his love and encouragement. (Although he’s getting impatient waiting for the big bucks to pour in ... ).
Thanks, Michael. Thanks, also, to Jason (my son and primary source of tech support) and to my clients and colleagues, who continue to teach me so much.
Here’s to Quality Service Marketing’s next 20 years!
Sybil: Congratulations on reaching this milestone in your career and thank "you" for continuing to inspire and encourage young marketers like myself!
Posted by: Sally | November 25, 2008 at 02:42 PM
Peg and Toby, thanks for your comments. It's been a joy to work with work with wonderful colleagues-turned-friends like you!
Posted by: Sybil | January 11, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Sybil - Congratulations to one of my dearest colleagues and someone who has motivated and cajoled me over the years to be a better manager. You've taught me so much and helped our office in ways too many to count. I can never thank you enough! Continue fighting for an organization's most important asset -- its employees. In the long run, this is the key for a successful business.
Posted by: Peg | January 11, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Sybil - Congrats! Twenty years is quite an accomplishment and speaks highly of your talents and skills .. both technical and people-oriented.
Posted by: Toby | January 06, 2008 at 11:27 PM