What a Senior Manager Marketing Operations at SmithRx Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Marketing Operations Industry
Michael, a Sr. Manager of Marketing Operations, emphasizes the importance of embracing experimentation and failure in the field, stating that "being able to break things...and mess with them is one of the best ways to learn." This approach, involving trial and error with "about 150 tools," has been key to their career growth and understanding of marketing operations technology.
Problem-Solving, Resilience, Technology, Trial and Error, Overcoming Challenges
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Michael Schnell
Sr. Manager, Marketing Operations
SmithRx
UCSB
n/a
Communications
Healthcare, Medical & Wellness, Insurance
Communication and Marketing
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Embrace trial and error: Don't be afraid to experiment, test different approaches, and even 'break things' to learn how systems and processes work. This iterative process of testing and refinement is key to growth and innovation.
2. Develop a growth mindset: View failures as learning opportunities and don't be afraid to take risks. A willingness to experiment is essential for continuous improvement.
3. Master numerous tools and technologies: The marketing operations field utilizes a vast array of tools. Develop a proactive approach to learn and understand how these tools connect and function together. Hands-on experience and continuous learning are essential for success in this field.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone had told you before you entered the industry?
On my LinkedIn profile, my headline says "Marketing Ops, Sales Ops, and Breaking Things." When I first started my marketing ops journey, "breaking things" wasn't part of the equation.
I'd say that embracing this has been the most significant learning over the years. If you don't take risks, try different approaches, and stay curious about the best way to accomplish a task or create an experience, you won't progress.
Essentially, the ability to break things down, use trial and error, test, fail, and then test again is one of the best ways to learn. It's how I've gotten to where I am. I've used about 150 tools over the last couple of years.
The way I understand how all those tools connect and how best to use them is by figuring out how *not* to use them a lot of the time. Being humble and understanding that if something isn't perfect, it's still okay, and we'll figure out how to improve it, is crucial.
Recognizing that failing is part of the job, and that breaking things and experimenting is one of the best ways to learn how they're supposed to work, is a big piece of advice. I would have definitely given this to myself when I was just starting out and was nervous about sending an email with an extra period.