Andrew Lane’s role at Weber Shandwick is to find new and interesting ways to help brands and businesses tell their stories to their stakeholders, and sees success as a kind of perfect state that should always be out of reach to keep driving you forward. What’s his advice to other young professionals? Find out in today’s YPDaily…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
My job is to find new and interesting ways to help brands and businesses tell their stories to their stakeholders in a way that drives advocacy, understanding and business results.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
When I joined Weber Shandwick, they were looking for a consultant to come on board and help them grow their Canadian digital offering. The role allowed for opportunities for me to lead internal and client education and counsel, help raise the profile of the agency, and bring production relationships and resources to the agency to execute on creative ideas. I loved the unique opportunity I was offered to operate like a startup of sorts within a global business, benefitting from the learning and experiences associated with both.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
Simultaneously, the best and most challenging part of what I do on a day-to-day basis is work with people – whether they be clients, teammates, or colleagues inside and outside of my city and even country. Because we do work with people, no two days (or two hours) are the same. Needing to constantly roll with the punches definitely keeps you on your toes!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Perhaps oddly, I’m not a believer in 5-year plans. All I can say is I’ll be doing something that allows me to continue to work with good people and tell great stories. The “where” will figure itself out.
What does success look like to you?
I see success as a kind of perfect state that should always be out of reach to keep driving you forward. What’s important is feeling like you’re on a path to reach it and in the meantime focusing on trying to be a better person every day.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
There have been a few but it might be the opportunity I had to speak to the Liberal Party of Canada earlier this year. I presented in a section called “RedTalks” at their annual convention to a crowd of hundreds (which included Justin Trudeau) and to several thousand watching online. It was an interesting look behind the scenes of government and a humbling and exciting experience that I’ll never forget.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Trust your morals, commit to working hard, treat people well and do what feels right.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
I try to support the charities where I feel I’m helping friends and family at the same time as I’m supporting a cause or an organization. For that reason, causes such as prostate and breast cancer and multiple sclerosis research are close to my heart.
What to you is notable?
When someone or something leads me to a solution in a way I never would have considered getting there myself. Something notable should expand your way of thinking – and then force you to think further about why it did.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
iPhone for now (but have my eyes on the Galaxy SIII)