How do you get ahead at a big company? Are the odds too high to be the top dog? If that’s what you think I’ve got something inspiring for you. I was the Keynote speaker at a recent Verizon Wireless meeting in Newark, NJ where an impressive woman spoke before I went on. Her name is Tami Erwin and Ms Erwin is the vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless. This is a big job because Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless company in the United States.
What makes this inspiring is that Tami Erwin began her wireless career in 1987 as a customer service representative for US WEST in Bellevue, Wash. A customer service rep is a long way from the C-Suite.
Today, Tami Erwin is responsible for all Verizon marketing plans – as well as brand management, media buying, agency management, and website integration across the entire corporation.
She’s proof that no matter where you start in an organization…there is always a way to get to the top — if you want it. Tami Erwin not only leads the marketing efforts of a 110 Billion dollar company, she has won the 2011 Women of Excellence Award in Community Service for from the National Association of Female Executives.
Still think YOU can’t get ahead? Are you willing to learn what you need to know to take the next leap? Are you willing to say, “there are no excuses…I’ll get there if I want it badly enough.”
I’d love to get your comments. This is Ross Shafer for The Relevant Report.