What did you most recently get recognized for as embodying our tenet of TAFFI (Teamwork, Accountability, Fun, Fascination and Integrity)?
Every few months, we have Crazy Good Client Satisfaction meetings. They are 10Fold’s version of quarterly planning meetings. At the end of each meeting, we ask the clients to rate us on a scale of one to ten in three areas: 1. Value of the meeting, 2. Quality of our written content and 3. Value of the results driven by the program. With a lot of accountability, teamwork, and fascination, the security practice raised their average score a full point to 9 over the course of 2021. We have further been able to maintain that score in the first half of 2022 amidst the onboarding of three new clients.
My team’s focus on impeccable client hygiene and driving toward excellent results means security clients have seen significant momentum over the last couple of years and have made additional investments, raising our average retainer. Most commonly, these further investments go towards paid media placements, digital programs and garnering further momentum.
What is something you have learned while working at 10Fold that has aided your success?
Particularly over the last year and a half, I have learned a lot about anticipating client challenges and needs. It was like a muscle that needed to form because it requires a new way of thinking in which you play scenarios forward in your mind and try to see the diverse ways a situation can go. It enabled me to show up for my clients in a new way and hopefully, makes them feel as though the team and I are looking out for them.
What advice would you give someone who is just starting out in their career?
Do not wait to ask questions about new assignments, even if you have a week to do them. When I was starting out, I would always make the mistake of holding questions for when I had started the project. In hindsight, I should have reviewed the assignment instructions right away to make sure I understood. Nothing was worse than realizing I had a lot of questions, and the assignment would take longer than expected 48 or 24 hours before it was due to my manager.
Now, when I deliver assignments, I check in to see if there are any questions and ensure we have a clear timeline to avoid scrambling at the final hour as much as possible. I also encourage everyone on my team to “manage up” if they are uncertain about what is expected of them.
Do you have a favorite hobby?
Hiking is easily my favorite hobby. Rarely does the span of a week go by without me doing some kind of hike. I fell in love with it when I lived on Oahu and even had the opportunity to do the Kalalau Trail along the Nāpali Coast when I hopped over to Kauai for a week. It was my first time hiking more than 8 miles and my first time backpacking. It was 22 miles of the most beautiful coastline I had ever seen, making the trek more than worth it. I am doing Kilimanjaro’s Lemosho Route in July. It is 43 miles, just over 19k in elevation and I am crazy nervous. Wish me luck!
Why did you decide to join 10Fold?
I started as a contractor with 10Fold, and it quickly became clear to me how smart the entire team is and that there was a lot I could learn from the leadership here. I jumped at the opportunity to take a full-time role.
I also loved that while I would get the opportunity to work with a variety of clients, I would be focused entirely on the cybersecurity industry. I, along with a few other team members, get to live and breathe security news and research. It ensures we have a full understanding of the ecosystem our clients exist in, and it is an industry that is continuously innovating, so it never gets boring.
What is one thing that 10Fold does that you love that stands out from other agencies?
I have been with 10Fold for almost four years and 10Fold’s investment in its employees in terms of training that will serve their professional growth still amazes me. Each year, a new, significant training course is added. In the last couple of years, some of my favorites have been a training on Kim Scott’s book Radical Candor, which encourages a feedback-driven management philosophy, and a training on analyst relations conducted by Knowledge Capital Group.
What differentiates 10Fold from other agencies in the industry?
I am going to go as far as to say that 10Fold is the greatest training ground to become one of the best PR professionals the industry has to offer.
What is your favorite thing to do in San Diego?
Did you want to hear more about hiking? Because the answer is definitely hiking followed by food and drinks with friends. The mountains are a little smaller in southern California, but some of my favorite spots are in Mission Trails Regional Park or Lake Poway Park. In May or June, if you get up early enough, you can be on the trail before the marine layer burns off for the day and you feel like you are hiking in and above the clouds.