Emma Morrison, Associate Director and lead of tml’s Financial Services practice, talks to Stephanie Gopalakrisna about her career in Financial Services marketing.

What is the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?

Ask questions. It can help you clarify things you are not so sure about, it can get people to talk and get you valuable insights, it is always useful to ask questions.

What future opportunities do you think marketing and communications will create over the next five years?

Marketing and communications can truly be at the forefront of a company’s strategy. Whether it is to support business strategy (client retention and acquisition, client experience), establish and promote a firm’s values and culture at a time where ESG is everywhere, position employer branding and support real talent acquisition strategy, a strong marketing and communications strategy is key to a firm’s transformation and growth.

What is your most trusted news source?

I rely on multiple sources and compare them. Social media is great for immediate news and gives you a good pulse on what is important at a given moment. Traditional media ensure that the information is verified and allows for more in-depth analysis.

What has had the most influential impact on your leadership career and why?

A combination of role models and bad examples. I have always been in companies that have gone through transformation. In time of change and crisis, leadership is key. I have seen how people react to bad management and to great leadership. I am learning from my own experience and other people’s successes and mistakes.

Finally, I am a strong advocate for mentoring. Theory is a great foundation but you learn with practice.

How are you planning for 2021 and beyond?

Despite the pandemic and the changes that accelerated due to Covid, our strategy doesn’t change. The plan gives you a framework and direction. The team knows what we need to achieve in 2021/22 and beyond. We are just flexible in the execution of the plan.

What career advice would you now give to yourself 10 years ago?

Put your hands up and volunteer. Voice your ideas. People won’t know what you can and want to do, unless you tell them.

What’s the toughest interview question you’ve ever asked or been asked?

I don’t think there is a single question. In interviews people who are not prepared or not really motivated struggle with the simple questions: why you? Why this company? Why this job?

You need to be prepared and you have to be authentic.

Who is your business hero and why?

I don’t have a single hero, in business or in life. I am inspired by different things in different people. From entrepreneur who take the risks and create the chance for themselves, to strong leaders who can inspire people to change to people who speak up when it is the less easy, I am interested in understanding the circumstances and what people do to make the most of our it. I always wonder what I would do and learn from that.

 

tml Partners is an international executive marketing recruitment firm specialising in senior appointments across marketing, business development and corporate communications. Emma Morrison is currently partnering with high growth clients in the financial services space to support the best in class development of in-house marketing, BD, communications and digital expertise.