Is B2B boring?
Having recently finished my law degree, jumping straight into a Client Support Executive role at a B2B marketing agency felt as though I was suddenly thrown into the deep end. Unsure with what to truly expect, my only pre-existing assumption as to what a B2B marketing agency may be like came from a WHM survey which reported that 48% of customers believed it to be boring.Spoiler alert: B2B marketing is far from boring.
This blog explores how I have navigated my first two weeks at Upp B2B and how quickly I realised that B2B is anything but boring.
The expectation versus the reality:
I found myself feeding into the stereotypical view that office life is boring, dull and claustrophobic in nature, and that you’re greeted with a cycle of constant repetition day-to-day. The growing view of “culture rot” in agencies clouded my judgement, so you can imagine my relief when I was met with the opposite of what I had anticipated in the best way possible.Arriving at the office on my first day felt a little daunting. I had always thought that joining an office setting as a beginner was a role to be taken with caution and it would take time to truly settle in. That being said, I was greeted by a friendly team and welcoming culture. This further reinforced the idea that B2B marketing agencies are bursting with immense amounts of personality through the way in which they operate. Perhaps the most surprising elements have been the frequent striking up of conversations between myself and members of different companies over making a cup of tea!
It turns out that the only boring thing about working in a B2B marketing agency is the stereotypes and negative connotations attached to it.
So… what have I been up?
Over the last two weeks, I’ve been involved in countless tasks ranging in purpose, which has taught me the skills I’ll need to be successful in my new role. Differing in physical operation, they all implement the primary objective and values of Upp B2B; the use of creative thinking and collaboration.Whether it be immersing myself into the day-to-day routines of the team by sitting in on meetings, sharing my opinions on campaigns presented or navigating the financial systems facilitated through the use of online webinars, I’ve gathered a great understanding of how everything works together. I’ve also been tackling a series of HR scenarios which have illustrated exactly how Upp B2B supports its employees. These experiences have allowed me to understand each department on a much deeper level and allowed me to recognise exactly where my own individual strengths can add value.
As I continue to settle into my role as Client Support Executive, I’m becoming more and more confident in developing the key skills of the role. Ultimately, the balance between both creative and operational work, alongside continuous learning, illustrates exactly what has kept my interest.
It’s true, no two days are the same.
What are my next steps and what am I excited for?
I’m excited to continue to develop in my new role in the team by building on everything I have learnt so far. The opportunities I have already been given have challenged me to become more comfortable with the idea of independently contributing to the Upp B2B team.As I continue my journey, I am looking forward to growing my understanding further and being involved in more new and upcoming projects.
Georgia Coulston
Client Support Executive
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3 key take aways in my first 2 weeks at Upp B2B
1) B2B isn’t boring, it is the stereotypes that are dullOver the last two weeks I've quickly discovered that the belief that B2B is dry and boring couldn’t be further from reality. The energy of the team and Upp's overall culture has showed me that B2B is in fact full of personality, creativity and collaboration.
2) Hands on learning accelerates confidence
By being thrown straight into meetings, discussions regarding campaigns, financial systems and real-life HR scenarios, I've been able to gain a deep understanding of how the agency operates. This hands on exposure has assisted me in being able to identify exactly what my strengths are and how simultaneously they add value, building my confidence far faster than expected.
3) No two days are the same
My experience within these two weeks alone have illustrated exactly how the combination of creative thinking, operational tasks and continuous learning creates a rhythm. The variety of work, plus the opportunity to contribute independently to new projects, is what excites me most about working at a B2B marketing agency.
