In just over three months, I’ve watched 52 episodes of the best series on TV (IMHO): Mad Men – a show that makes me long for the ’60s and the heady days of the ad biz. (Now, I’m holding my breath till season five.)

Earlier this year, I wrote about some agency life lessons I learned from the show.

As I reflect on season four, a few more spring to mind:

1. It takes guts to create a new business of any kind. You need a shared vision, a love of independence and a strong stomach.  And while things may start rosy, there will likely be a plateau. At that point it’s important to take a good hard look at where you are and what you want to accomplish and be prepared to do something dynamic to shake things up. As they said on the show, ‘If you don’t like what’s being talked about, change the conversation.’
2. Time is of the essence. On the show, Sterling Cooper Draper Price goes from idea to reality (in the context of fiction, that is) over a weekend. That isn’t to say work should be 24/7 and all consuming. But if you’re determined and focus your energy on the challenge at hand, it’s amazing how much you can do in a short period of time.
3. We are and always will be a service industry.  As Don points out when they lose their biggest account, clients come and go – often for reasons other than the quality of the agency’s work. That’s part of the game. So do your best all the time, build relationships, don’t wallow in self-pity and get out there! You never know when the next opportunity will come.

Now, I may have to start watching the series again from the start to see what other lessons I can glean.

I’m interested to hear what you think.

BTW, Turns out, I own a similar space-age pencil sharpener to the one Don displays on his desk. I’ve got a prize for the first person who can spot the difference.

About Martin Waxman

Martin Waxman, MCM, is a digital communications strategist. He conducts AI research, leads Generative AI and digital and social media training workshops and speaks at events across North America. He's co-founder of two PR agencies, president of a consultancy and has worked in the industry for nearly 30 years. Martin is a LinkedIn Learning instructor, adjunct professor at the Schulich School of Business and associate director of the Future of Marketing Institute. He also teaches digital marketing strategy at McMaster University. He's a member of the Institute for Public Relations Digital Media Research Center and a past-chair of PRSA Counselors Academy. He has a Master of Communications Management (MCM) from McMaster-Syracuse Universities.

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