In this careers feature, Liz Foster asks the question, with the number of corporate marketing roles shrinking as you climb the ladder, where do all the brand managers go?

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Who? 

Amanda Rose

When and where did you work in marketing?

So many places! Here is a rundown:
Mission Australia – Events
Diabetes Australia NSW – Events
Aussiepay Pty Ltd – Marketing Manager
UNSW Lifestyle Centre – Marketing Manager
Happen Business – Marketing Manager
Nova Legal – Marketing Consultant
Concierge Travel Group – Group Marketing Manager

Highest marketing level reached? 

Group Marketing Manager

What do you do now?

Director of the Shoshanna Group Pty Ltd which includes

• Northridge Creations – marketing for small business.

• Amanda Rose – realising potential for the small business owner & specialising in creating their niche.

• My Business Help.com.au

I also have a blog just for the ladies-www.msandmrs.com.au

Did you choose your path or did it choose you?

I had always wanted to run my own company one day. I have studied for over 10 years, deliberately choosing different courses and degrees such as a Bachelor of Business, Masters of Communication, Certificate in PR etc to prepare me for my career and therefore running my own company.

What’s the most important skill that you’ve taken from your marketing days?

How to choose the best possible marketing tool for the business or brand – don’t try and do everything – be selective and choose what will bring the best ROI.

If you had your time again, would you climb the corporate marketing ladder?

Yes. It has established my experience, confidence and motivation (not that I needed anymore) to go out and start a company on my own.

What were the best and worst parts of your role as BM?

• Ability to take on more and more and continue learning

• Meeting new people regularly

•  Working on 7 different brands at once

• Trying new things

Worst:

• When good marketing decisions are ignored due to someone’s personal agenda.

• Having to rely on other people that are not reliable

• Workplace politics

• Working in the same place all day!

What career tips would you offer an aspirant or current BM?

Work hard. Take on lots. Don’t view it as being overworked and underpaid. View it as being paid to learn as much as possible.

Now that youve left the world of brand management, are you satisfied with your current role? If not, what are your future career aspirations?

Definitely. I have now created a business which is an industry on its own. That is, Amanda Rose. This has evolved from my passion to teach people (via speaking) and realising the potential of small businesses. This often requires creating their unique niche/market and also injecting ideas that are beyond their imagination.

Often businesses still try to be everything to everyone and marketing companies don’t specialise or understand the importance of realising the potential of the person and the business first before going to market.