This International Women's Day, the Prism Create founder, owner and director Faye Marsden shares her motivations for building and running a successful marketing agency, and also offers some guidance for businesses looking to create a better balance in the workplace.

Creating that better balance for our employees and clients

When you wake up every morning - what's the one question you could ask yourself every day?

"Why do I get up every day and do this?"

Interesting question, right?

So - what's the answer? It could be one of many, but for me, the answer has remained the same since the very first day I started this crazy journey.

"Because I love it".

Some of you might be laughing right now, or saying to yourself "yeah right, she doesn't mean that", but I do, and I'm sure many of you think the same in your roles. However, not every day is great, and makes it more difficult to enjoy the job.

During Prism's 12 year journey, I've crossed many paths - some good, and some not so good. There have been challenges, great clients, successes, fun and disappointments along the way. In fact, we even split the agency a year or so ago to bring new people on board and to drive Prism Create forward in the right direction by 2020! Since then, Prism is transforming into a content digital creation agency focusing on Tech and Fintech clients, where we're striving to develop awesome tools that deliver content in different ways including AI, interactive content and other innovative new marketing technologies.

Sitting on the agency side should be something everyone in marketing experiences, so they can appreciate the hard work we put in to the job. That isn't to say that on the client side it's easier - having been there myself for over 20 years, I know how hard the "corporate" playground can be.

Creating your balance

One thing that we all have to consider to create a "Better Balance" in the workplace is people, and how they're key to the success of any business. The attitude of millennials has changed today's workplace - and adapting to this is more important than ever to attract the right people for your teams and to drive a better business forward. For us at Prism Create we're building a better balance in our work place, with our team and our clients. It's not all roses, but managing a blended group of millennials and older employees can be challenging, as we've seen in many businesses over the last few years.

Everyone has a view of how they want to work and to fit into the culture of the company they are working for. To manage both groups is a matter of bridging that gap between technical enthusiasm and business experience. Which isn't smooth sailing all the time! It is all about balance, us oldies simply have to stop feeling threatened by new skill sets and, younger workers should embrace the expertise of more senior employees. Interpersonal communication skills are paramount and that comes with time and hard work.

Everybody needs to get connected with the company they are working for by;

1. Becoming a brand advocate and an active part of the company's culture.

2. Learning how to have better conversations, internally and externally.

3. Drawing from the experience of the wider team.

4. Listening to opinions and being proactive.

5. Working together as a team to meet group goals.

...and moving their career forward.

At Prism, age or gender will NEVER be perceived as a limitation of what we can achieve. It's attitude, drive and genuine passion for what we do that makes us successful. Make your workplace a balance for better. I'm not saying it's easy, but working together is what it's all about. Enjoy your job.

#balanceforbetter #internationalwomensday