Switching gears: Lessons from our project management system overhaul
One of the major internal projects we tackled this year was switching project management systems. The system we had been using for fifteen years had taken us as far as it could go. The growing number of users, clients and projects required something more robust. After much research and some debate, we’ve settled on Monday.com. […]
2025-04-07
Read
Break the mould: Embracing what makes women great leaders
On the anniversary of International Women’s Day, I have reflected on some of the issues I’ve faced managing a team of mostly women over the course of the past six months as I develop them for future leadership roles. I think they are perennial issues, and the more we can share the more we learn […]
2025-03-06
Read
Even capable leaders need spaces to be heard
Leaders need to maintain professional boundaries, and certain decisions, concerns, and vulnerabilities cannot be shared openly. The higher the position, the fewer people can fully relate to the weight of the role. This loneliness, though rarely discussed, is a reminder that even the most capable leaders need spaces where they can be heard, understood, and […]
2025-01-31
Read
Trust your gut, and trust the process
My transition from studying at Algonquin College to working at Initiate Marketing ‘Great things don’t happen in your comfort zone’ Going from university right to college, I made it a point early on to push past my comfort zone and truly take advantage of my time at Algonquin in the Graphic Design program. I became […]
2024-10-04
Read
What do project management and tennis have in common? Not love!
Project Management seems simple enough, but the role is like being in a sporting match—when you are on, you are on. Project Management seems simple enough, but the role is like being in a sporting match—when you are on, you are on. Your continual task is to catch and strategically hand off projects to the […]
2024-09-20
Read
Age in marketing: does it matter?
In the corporate world, boards of directors are primarily over the age of 50 but anyone over 40 is considered too old for marketing positions. How is it that years of experience are valuable for the board members, but not for a potential CMO? Age diversity in the workplace Ageism is a significant issue […]
2024-08-12
Read
Hello, my title is not graphic designer
Disclaimer: I’m not trying to offend anybody’s profession, personal opinion or love of the term graphic designer. A lot of people might aspire to be graphic designers. The whole premise is that over the years I’ve seen a lot of people with a lot of roles that are called a graphic designer—a senior graphic designer […]
2024-07-22
Read
Guiding your design team on a path of excellence
What makes a strong creative leader? A proficient design leader skillfully identifies and nurtures the potential within their team. They establish clear boundaries and offer guidance, creating a space where designers can experiment and grow within these parameters. This approach strikes a balance between direction and autonomy, empowering designers to explore their creativity. Such leaders […]
2024-07-15
Read
Fostering a Culture of Curiosity
At Initiate, curiosity is the cornerstone of our creativity. We cultivate an environment where every idea is valued, encouraging our team to think beyond conventional design norms. This approach fosters a dynamic, collaborative atmosphere, enabling us to explore innovative solutions and grow together as creative professionals. Curiosity is the foundation of creative problem-solving, much like […]
2024-07-01
Read
How to choose and implement a new project management software
Getting somewhere you’ve never been requires doing something you’ve never done. Every organization has faced the frustrating challenge of deciding how to improve its project management process. There are two main decisions: which software to choose and how to seamlessly incorporate the new software into the team’s daily routine. The goal is to be more […]
2024-06-24
Read
Leading Through Transition and Loss of Talent
Navigating my team’s personal and professional choices has been a significant part of my leadership journey. Realizing that it’s tougher to see a skilled employee become disengaged than to lose them has shifted my focus. I’ve learned to prioritize their growth and aspirations over my preferences, which has been crucial for my development as a […]
2024-06-10
Read
Remote work: it shouldn’t be about where, but how
Four years later my LinkedIn feed is littered with employee rants that theirs is the next company phasing them “back to work” or with stories from fully remote employees feeling isolated, some worrying they are being passed up for promotion because they aren’t being “seen” by the right people at the office. Of all the […]