“How I Work” is one of my favorite recurring features in Inc Magazine as well as via Lifehacker’s This Is How I Work Series, and recently several sales experts (including Anthony Iannarino, Dave Brock and Trish Bertuzzi) participated as well.
Periodically moving forward we will feature a new B2B sales, marketing or business leader here answering what have become the standard “How I Work” questions. You can catch up on everyone we’ve featured thus far in the “How I Work” series here.
This week I’m excited to feature Ardath Albee, certainly one of the most influential women in B2B marketing and one of the nation’s most important and innovative content marketing voices. She juggles a growing business and client base while maintaining a steady and highly-popular blog. She gets stuff done. Here, in her own words, is how she works:
Location: Palm Desert, California
Current computers: Samsung laptop, Dell Desktop, 3 Screens to move stuff around
Current mobile devices: Motorola Droid, Samsung Tab 10
What apps/software/tools can’t you live without?
Microsoft Office – Hey, I’m a writer and I work with a lot of PPT-obsessed enterprises
Trello – If it’s not on the project boards, it doesn’t get done
Mindjet – Mind maps are the best strategy design tool ever – or maybe it’s the way my brain works
Outlook – I live here
Typepad – My blog – let’s leave it at that
Twitter – Allows me to feel like I’m still connected even though I work in a remote office. And, I’ve been able to build some really valuable relationships.
LinkedIn – Excellent insights to contribute to and validate personas – plus build relationships, and now publish
What’s your workspace like?
My husband says my office is like a cockpit with all those screens and a wrap-around desk. I have a big window with views of the San Jacinto Mountains and Palm trees. Three or four headsets. And a never-empty cup of coffee that reads “eMarketers Do It With Content” – a relic from my first book launch.
What’s your best time-saving shortcut or lifehack?
I prepare for tomorrow today. I need to know what’s coming when I start my day so I can hit the ground running. Sometimes I have calls at 6AM with east coast or European clients, so this is critical.
What everyday thing are you better at than anybody else?
Shutting off. My husband and I have a deal that I quit work at 5PM and don’t go back until the next morning – at whatever crazy time that may be. Since I write and work on strategies all day, this helps me stay fresh. And my brain works on stuff while I’m not paying attention – always helpful!
What’s your favorite to-do list manager?
Trello and Outlook – If it’s not one place or the other, it doesn’t get done.
What do you listen to while at work?
I need silence. Probably a writer thing.
What are you currently reading?
The Moment of Clarity – Christian Madsbjerg & Mikkel B. Rasmussen
Everything Connects – Faisal Hoque
Deadline – Sandra Brown
And an advance proof of Jill Konrath’s new book – It’s really good.
What’s your sleep routine like?
In bed around 10PM, read for an hour. Up at 5AM.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Whatever you do, do it right or don’t bother.”
My dad told me this when I was 12. I’ve always tried to live up to it.
Anything else you want to add?
This is harder than it looks!
Fill in the Blank: I’d love to see Doug Kessler answer these questions.
