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- Wise Words -
The "United Nations" of
Online Advertising

by gabriel medeiros 

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Introduction
"Moving in the direction of fear" is a quote that has stuck with me.  I am attracted by new challenges, especially those that make my heart race, my hands sweat and my voice crackle. Last year, I leapt into the complete unknown and experienced a lot of heart racing and voice crackling!
 
I landed a job at a truly global ad tech company with Headquarters in Paris and offices throughout the world. I was hired through Video Conference ("VC") by French, American and Brit interviewers who needed a Designer based in their Sao Paulo, Brazil office. The company wanted to establish a brand new Design Center and I was their first hire!  This meant that I partnered with an American manager based in New York and our mission was to meet Latin Americas' needs.  Not just Brazil's, all of LatAm.
 
This would be a challenge to anyone, but as an Early Stage Professional with 1.5 years of professional work experience it was a huge learning experience and a great opportunity for career growth.  It also met my personal goal of moving out of my hometown of Rio de Janeiro—a great city, but in my mind ideal only if you are fond of tiny bikinis and tanning.
 
My company feels like the "United Nations of Online Advertising": we are so international and I must partner with teams across many countries (almost too many to count) and three continents.  With that came the biggest challenge; communicating through Email and Video Conference.
 
Here are a few of the things I've learned in my last 12 months.

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​Losing the "Mood Thermometer"
When you work in the same office you all experience the same weather, hear the latest news (good or bad), understand the latest political drama (generally bad right now!).  You broadly have the same mood and share common ground: the same city, the same dreadful traffic jam or even tedious drizzle (yes it can rain in sunny Brazil!).
 
Those conditions will not be the same to the team on the other side of the equator.  When Brazil is entering the happy days of summer my colleagues in New York are entering winter.  It is almost like we have the exact opposite mood thermometer!
 
How I deal with this is by sharing what I can of the local atmosphere and then asking my colleagues in New York, Boston, Miami or Paris what is going on for them.  This benefits the team's connection and allows us to feel at ease.  We start to understand everyone's mood thermometer.  Outside of formal meetings I like to dedicate time to catch up with my teammates. I use Instant Message or even a quick VC to keep the communication open and relationships strong.
 
Right now I’m working on a project with a colleague in NYC to build intimacy among the designers who live around the world. We call it the "Creative Espresso Hang" and every 3 weeks, we have meetings dedicated  building relationships.  We all jump on a Video Conference and exchange local happenings and get to know each other. We are trying to create the "casual" exchanges that you get over a cup of coffee, or to use an American expression "by the water cooler".

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​What is clear to me might be confusing to someone else
I have always seen myself as a clear communicator.  I think my ideas are well structured and that I can get my message across.  The last sentence makes sense, right?  Well not every audience "hears" what I am trying to say all the time! 
 
When you work with people from different countries you are challenged with different languages, but unlike the United Nations there are no interpreters translating everything!  We have solved the problem by having a common language: English. However, each individual has his own level of English and many in Brazil, while being good at English, do not speak it every day.  As well as this I have had to work with a variety of accents (American, English, French, Brazilian and many more), intonations and communication styles that are all mixed up in the "pot" of a big conference room. Add all this into occasional bad quality connections and boom it is more likely you miss out on what someone is saying!
 
What I do is put in extra effort to sound as clear as I can and try not to feel embarrassed by asking people to repeat what they have said.  I also give them the context "Hey the Internet is really weak today so you fade in and out" is usually enough of an explanation.

​Being ahead or behind time is relative. 
How pleasant is eating that favorite lunch before continuing your mid-afternoon tasks? For some it is an essential time to get that extra energy to finish wrapping up the day.
 
Different cultures have different eating habits. In Paris, for example, they usually have their lunches out with colleagues and take the time to finish their meal over a cup of espresso.  In other countries this is not the norm.  The Americans are famous for grabbing a bite over their desks.  We live in a world enriched by a diverse set of traits and should be able to allow for cultural differences as well as managing across different time zones.  Scheduling meetings requires us to take these disparities in consideration and find the most convenient time for everyone.  Squeezing a meeting at an inopportune time for one location could impact productivity.
 
There are exceptions. Mostly if it’s due to a significant meeting or a “must attend” training. In such occasions, it’s obviously worth making a compromise and I adapt my schedule to accommodate important meetings. Changing the natural rotation of the earth is beyond my capability so I focus on being flexible!  
 
My International "Journey"
For me it is a truly meaningful career journey that demands a high level of trust and patience.  Also I am always working to understand it more and improve.  Because of the constant challenge and the international experience I love my job at the "United Nations of Online Adverting" and love the people I work with.  I am sure one day I will even love Video Conference!


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More Wise Words

Achieve: Focus on Results
​
Achieve: Leading from the Start
Achieve: Small is BIG
Achieve: Take Action
Career Management: Annual Review. A "How To"
Career Management: Annual Review. As Career Plan
Career Management: Choosing a Mentor
Career Management: Careers Happen
Career Management: Career Journey
Career Management: Mentorship Explained
​
Career Management: Post Graduate Degrees
Career Management: Promotion Frustration 
Career Management: Moving up by moving out
Career Management: Selecting Your Company
Career Management: Understand Yourself
Finances: Retirement Saving (1)
Finances: Retirement Saving (2)
Hindsight: Balance the short- with the long-term
​Hindsight: Embrace learning and your manager
Hindsight: Focus at Work
Hindsight: Millennial Reflections
Hindsight: Regrets: Time, Money & Pride
​Hindsight: Take Advice Sparingly
Hindsight: Take a Career Mulligan
​
Hindsight: Transition from College
Hindsight: Winning Nicely
Hindsight: Work hard, network, be honest. Have fun too!
Managing Up: Manage Up to Move Up
Managing Up: Manager As Partner
Managing Up: New Manager
Managing Up: Questions for your manager
Managing Up: Secret Skills for Managing Up
​
People & Teamwork: Be A Giver
​
People & Teamwork: LinkedIn As Networking
People & Teamwork: Networking Hacks
People & Teamwork: Networking as a Relationship
People & Teamwork: Networking Simplified
People & Teamwork: Teamwork As Leadership
Speedbumps: Chutes & Ladders
​
Speedbumps: Laid Off? Take A Breath
Speedbumps: Layoffs. The Afterlife
Speedbumps: Owning Mistakes
Work Life: Work Culture. America vs. UK
Work Life: Ask Why
Work Life: Be Yourself. Be Genuine
​
Work Life: Browned Out?
Work Life: Business Travel Guide
Work Life: Calendar Management
Work Life: Difficult Situations
Work Life: Focus on Fiyah!
​Work Life: Ghosting
​
Work Life: Help the Early Stage Professionals
Work Life: International Remote Working
Work Life: Pre-Vacation Checklist
Work Life: Smartphones & The Office
​Work Life: Start-Up Glamor
Work Life: Stress Management
Work Life: Take a Walk
​
Work Life: They Quit
Work Life: Unlimited Vacation
Work Life: Welcome the Newbies
Work Life: "Work" from Home

Crushing It @ Work

What Time Should I Start? 
What If I am Running Late? 
Taking Vacation
Sick Days 
Working Outside Office Hours
​
How to prepare for One/Ones
Making Meetings on Time 
Business Presentations 
Social Media, Personal Email and Hanging Out on the Web
Give it Six to Nine Months to Feel @Home
Be Your-professional-self
Staying Positive

Job Search Must Do's

Resume
The Application Letter 
​
The Free Conundrum: Should You Take an Unpaid Internship?
Informational Interviews 
Taking a Shortcut: Using Your Network 
Dealing with a Low GPA
​Responding to Recruiters
The Job Interview
Interview Questions
Questions You Should Ask
Simulations 
Interviews with Other Applicants
Dealing with References
Negotiating Your Salary
How to Resign (if you already have a job)
​
The First Week
You Don't Get the Job: Getting Feedback
​Keeping Motivated Through the Search

USA Today Columns by Fergus Mellon

How to get started on LinkedIn: Do this, not that
Warning: Avoid smartphone shame at work.  Keep them out of sight
To succeed, be a Giver in the workplace, not a Taker
4 ghoulish personality pitfalls to steer clear of at the office
​
How to coach today's not so entitled Millennials as they join the rat race

Crushing IT

Money

Library

WISE WORDS

Bureaucracy

Copyright © 2016 - 2020
  • Home
  • Getting a job
    • Must Do's - Resume
    • Must Do's - Application Letter
    • Must Do's - Internships
    • Groundwork - Informational Interviews
    • Groundwork - Your Network
    • Groundwork - GPA Issues
    • Groundwork - Recruiters
    • Dealing with Rejection - Feedback
    • Dealing with Rejection - Keeping Motivated
    • Closing the Deal - The Interview
    • Closing the Deal - Interview Q's
    • Closing the Deal - Your Questions
    • Closing the Deal - Simulations
    • Closing the Deal - Group Interviews
    • Closing the Deal - References
    • Signing On - Salary Negotiation
    • Signing On - How to Resign
    • Signing On - First Week
  • Crushing It
    • The Hours - What Time Should I Start
    • The Hours - What If I Am Running Late?
    • The Hours - Taking Vacation
    • The Hours - Sick Days
    • The Hours - Working Outside Office Hours
    • Professional Skills - One/Ones
    • Professional Skills- Making Meetings on Time
    • Professional Skills - Business Presentations
    • Professional Skills - Social Media, Personal Email
    • A Level Head - Feeling @ Home
    • A Level Head - Be YourProfessionalSelf
    • A Level Head- Staying Positive
  • Wise Words
    • Achieve - Focus on the Results
    • Achieve - Leading from the Start
    • Achieve - Showcase Your Work
    • Achieve - Small is BIG
    • Achieve - Take Action
    • Achieve - Your New Job. A Plan
    • Career Management - Annual Review
    • Career Management - Annual Review Feedback Meeting
    • Career Management - Annual Review: How to Guide
    • Career Management - Career Contentment
    • Career Management - Careers Happen
    • Career Management - Career Journey
    • Career Management - Choosing a Mentor
    • Career Management - Discomfort Is Good
    • Career Management - Freelancing and Employment Gaps
    • Career Management - Mentally Healthy Choices
    • Career Management - Mentorship Explained
    • Career Management - Post Graduate Degrees
    • Career Management - Promotion Frustration
    • Career Management - Promotions. Move out to move up
    • Career Management - Selecting Your Company
    • Career Management - Understand Yourself
    • Finances - Preparing for a Downturn
    • Finances - Retirement Saving (1)
    • Finances - Retirement Saving (2)
    • Hindsight - Balance the Short- with Long -term
    • Hindsight - Embrace Learning & Your Manager
    • Hindsight - Focus at Work
    • Hindsight - Millennial Reflections
    • Hindsight - Regrets: Time, Money & Pride
    • Hindsight - Take a Career Mulligan
    • Hindsight - Take Advice Sparingly
    • Hindsight - Transition from College
    • Hindsight - Winning Nicely
    • Hindsight - Work Hard. Be Honest. Have Fun
    • Managing Up - Manager as Partner
    • Managing Up - Manage Up to Move Up
    • Managing Up - Mastering Your Manager
    • Managing Up - New Manager
    • Managing Up - Questions For Your Manager
    • Managing Up - Secret Skills of Managing Up
    • Managing Up - Yes Power
    • People & Teamwork - Be a Giver
    • People & Teamwork - Collaboration is Power
    • People & Teamwork - First Time Manager
    • People & Teamwork - LinkedIn as Networking
    • People & Teamwork - Networking Hacks
    • People & Teamwork - Networking as Relationship
    • People & Teamwork - Networking Simplified
    • People & Teamwork - Reputations Travel
    • People & Teamwork - Teamwork as Leadership
    • Sliding Doors - Decision Paths
    • Sliding Doors - Success Requires Luck
    • Speed Bumps - Chutes & Ladders
    • Speed Bumps - Layoffs & Survivors Guilt
    • Speed Bumps - Laid Off? Take a Breath
    • Speed Bumps - Layoffs. The After Life
    • Speed Bumps - Owning Mistakes
    • Work Life - American Work Culture
    • Work Life - Ask Why
    • Work Life - Be Yourself. Be Genuine
    • Work Life - Browned Out?
    • Work Life - Business Travel Guide
    • Work Life - Calendar Management
    • Work Life - Change is Certain
    • Work Life - Difficult Situations
    • Worklife - Focus on Fiyah
    • Work Life - Ghosting
    • Work Life - Help the Early Stage Professionals
    • Work Life- International Remote Working
    • Work Life - In the Zoom
    • Work Life - Mom Skills
    • Work Life - Office As A Stage
    • Work Life - Office Ghouls
    • Work Life - Pre Vacation Checklist
    • Work Life - Returning to Work
    • Work Life - Smartphones & The Office
    • Work Life - Speak Up
    • Work Life - Stage Fright
    • Work Life - Startup Glamour
    • Work Life - Stress Management
    • Work Life - Take A Walk
    • Work Life - Tasks We Hate
    • Work Life - They Quit
    • Work Life - Unlimited Vacation
    • Worklife - Vacation Overview
    • Work Life - Welcome the Newbies
    • Work Life - "Work" From Home
  • Money
    • Money - The Basics
    • Money - Saving for Retirement
    • Money - Retirement Saving
  • Library
    • Book Reviews
    • Webinar Hub
    • USA Today Columns
    • Buy Early Stage Professional
    • Bureaucracy
  • Help Center
    • Annual Reviews
    • Career Speed Bumps
    • Managing Up
    • Promotions & Career Planning
    • Stress Management