Rachel Chen’s Post

This is such an important subject to reflect on. Well done Poorna for tackling it in this blog. :-)

Here we are with a new episode of The Talent Show Virginia Stagni welcomes Jon Slade, the Chief Commercial Officer of Financial Times, who shares an intriguing journey that defies the conventional career path. Despite not boasting an illustrious academic career, Slade's story is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. His early years were spent in landscape gardening, a pursuit he found deeply satisfying, illustrating that success can be found in the most unexpected of places. Relocating to London marked a turning point in Slade's career. His love for words and language led him to work on a student union magazine at university, a stepping stone that would eventually lead him to the world of journalism. Slade's career took off when he responded to an advertisement in the Media Guardian, landing him a role in advertising sales. This experience sparked his interest in publishing, leading him to the Financial Times in 2002. Despite a brief stint at The Times and The Sunday Times, Slade returned to the FT in 2007, where he has remained ever since. Slade's journey is marked by his ability to create value from journalism, a common thread that has run through his career. From his early days selling advertising space to his current role as Chief Commercial Officer, Slade has consistently worked towards leveraging the influence of journalism for commercial success. Join us as we explore Slade's unconventional journey, offering insights into the world of journalism and the importance of following one's passion. This episode promises to inspire, challenge, and provoke thought, embodying the spirit of the Financial Times 🎙️🚀🎧 https://lnkd.in/d_CWVNmS #FTTalent #TheTalentShow  #TheTalentShowseries2 #ChiefCommercialOfficer #passionandperseverance #financialjournalism #journalism #diversity #inspiration #FinancialTimes #career #narrative #JonSlade #carrergrwoth #keyskills #MediaGuardian #advertisingspace #team #innovation #newspresentation #multifacetedcareer #managementconsultancy #perspectives #careerdevelopment #personalaspirations

Your daily reminder from Spree Media Solutions: Ambition fuels our dreams, diligence builds our success, and focus drives our achievements. As we kickstart another week, let's set our sights high and our standards even higher. What professional dreams are you working towards? #LeadershipMindset #CareerGoals #SpreeMediaSolutions

🎙 Exciting News Announcement! 🚀 I am thrilled to share a new venture in the works and incredibly close to my heart. Every day that I get to help my audience build a life they love is a win for me—even though this road wasn’t as obvious as it is now. As I reflect on the challenges I faced as a Black woman with a dream to be in journalism, I am reminded of all the lessons I learned and the obstacles I overcame that led me to where I am today. In those early days, the vision of becoming an anchor felt like an unattainable dream. I studied my way through my broadcast journalism degree at the University of Utah with the hope of working my way to the top. But I think we all know that working in media is never that simple. I received unwelcome advice from a mentor at a local TV station in Salt Lake City, Utah. They strongly suggested that my success as an anchor depended on donning a blond wig throughout my career. At school, one of my professors remarked that I was "too urban" to be taken seriously on television. But, despite all of the doubts and skepticism, I refused to let anyone tell me that I couldn’t try. With every wave of uncertainty that crashed over me, I found the strength to push forward from those I knew shared my heart to be seen and heard in the media. These experiences compelled me to go on a journey of self-discovery and I saw how I could help and inspire people through authenticity, honesty, creativity, and purpose. As a creative, I have a burning desire to explore the world beyond the labels. With what’s to come, I want to celebrate our vulnerabilities, uncover common ground, and redefine our understanding of our authentic selves. Whether we’re discussing topics of mental well-being, spirituality, fashion, or culture, my new platform will serve as a community-driven space for growth, healing, and transformation. Follow me and enable notifications to catch my official announcement. #StayTuned #ComingSoon #PodcastLaunch #EmpowermentJourney #SelfDiscovery #CommunityEngagement #GrowthMindset #LinkedInLearning #EvolvingTogether

The first day I was to cast the news on the radio, I was very nervous. I could literally hear my heart beat and felt it racing. Not that I couldn't do it, not that I did not know how to do it but I was just so nervous. I almost canceled the first day I got a chance to moderate a physical event. It was something I always looked forward to. I even used to practice public speaking in front of the mirror, but when the time came, I was just so scared. The first day I was to partake in a news reading competition where over 1000 people were present with experienced folks as judges, I was nervous... No, I was scared. Did I do all these things in the end? Oh yes! I did. Did I do them well? Absolutely. Why? My station manager later voted me as the best English newscaster in the station where I work. My hosting duties went well. I got the first position out of about 10 participants in the newscasting competition. It all went well. Maybe you have something in mind you want to do and you are so scared. Maybe you even know how to do it well and you already have it all planned out but you are just so scared to take the step. You are not alone, but if you will get to the heights you imagine yourself to be, you have to courageously take those steps, especially the first ones, if not you will remain in a spot. The great people we see today started somewhere. If you are a good reader and have studied the life of great men, you will agree with me that they also had their fair share of the subject matter. In all the moves I have made, one thing I have always done is place God at the center. Are you afraid to take that step? Pray and take courage, you will do great. The world is waiting! I'm rooting for you. #happy #tech #technovation #innovate #innovation #celebration #courage #win #bigwins #achievement #achiever #newstrides

You can also read about my new journey on Talking Biz News.

🚀 From Essex to Media Success: Andy Copping’s Inspiring Journey 🚀 I'm thrilled to share our latest Initial Step interview with Andy Copping, a true example of how passion and perseverance can lead to success in the media industry. Growing up in suburban Essex with incredibly supportive parents, Andy's love for media began with sports TV and creating montages on Windows Movie Maker. His journey from sixth form media studies to breaking into the industry is nothing short of inspirational. 🔑 Key Highlights: - Early Passion: Inspired by sports TV and creative projects. - Education & Encouragement: Supported by family and teachers to pursue media studies. - First Break: Landed a runner position through determination and a job website. - Work Ethic: Balanced university projects and a part-time job to secure his role. - Grounded Roots: Maintains connections with childhood friends and stays true to his roots. - Professional Growth: Continues to learn and earn respect in the industry through dedication and hard work. - Andy’s story is a powerful reminder that with the right mindset and support, anyone can achieve their dreams, no matter where they start. 🎥 Watch the full interview to get inspired! https://lnkd.in/enEKYM7h #Initialstep #workingclass #lowsocioeconomicbackground #filmandtv #commercials #interviews #footinthedoor #MediaCareer #Inspiration #SuccessStory #CareerJourney #MediaIndustry #EssexToSuccess #HardWork #StayGrounded #ProfessionalGrowth Feel free to like, comment, and share your thoughts! Let's celebrate and learn from each other's journeys, and if you have a story you want to share get in touch. 🌟

Some news about me!

⚠ Re-brand loading ... ✌🏼 We are back. It's not a secret that LinkedIn got the better of me in April. I was starting to compare myself to others, feeling very low and utterly burnt-out....so I knew it was time to step away for a while 👉🏼 During this time I reflected, spoke to Carla, looked at the biz plan & where we want to be vs current position ... so we are super proud to be able to use what we've learned, change direction & re-intro our services in a new light 💡 We have had such good feedback after doing some market research on the term 'HR', the awful stigma it still gets & the dystopian view of the services 'we' [as an industry] provide. It's still super frustrating & maddening! 👀 A sneak peak at some of our new marketing, hot off the press. As I am now a 'we' .... it's time to reflect our growth, ideas & forward momentum. #humanresources #businessconsultants #compliance #businesspartners #protection #marketing #personalbrand #rebranding #newlook #rebrand