Cary Hatch on High-Stakes Reputation Management - Chief Influencer - Episode # 056

Chief Influencer

In this compelling episode, we are joined by Cary Hatch, a revered entrepreneur and brand advocate who has transformed MDB Communications into an industry powerhouse and now serves as Senior Counsel at Hart.

Cary shares her journey from purchasing her employer at age 30, to leading through numerous economic challenges, and building robust relationships. Recognized among the 100 most powerful people in Washington. She’s been named to the Washington Business Journal's Power 100 and is an American Advertising Federation Silver Medal honoree.

Cary offers invaluable lessons in grit, leadership, and influence. From advising on managing corporate reputations to reflecting on the evolving role of consumers, Cary underscores the need for leaders to blend financial fluency with strategic communication to navigate today's complex business landscape.

Tune in for a deep dive into the intersection of marketing, governance, and consumer engagement, and learn why having a communications expert on your board could be crucial for your brand's success.

Takeaways:

• Fear of failure is a very powerful feeling. Instead of letting it paralyze you, use it as fuel to propel yourself forward. Leveraging this fear can drive your determination and commitment to succeed against the odds.
• Give yourself permission to try, ask questions, and learn. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and seek new knowledge. Continuous learning and curiosity are crucial for personal and professional growth.
• Be fluent in the language you need to gain a seat at the table and be taken seriously. Understanding metrics, terms, topics, and even, “board speak” is essential to communicate the value of marketing and communications effectively. This fluency bridges the gap between marketers and others, fostering better collaboration.
• Overperform to ensure that you're memorable, and overdeliver to ensure that you're taken seriously. Exceeding expectations ensures that you stand out in your field and build a strong personal and professional reputation. Consistently delivering exceptional results will solidify your credibility and influence.
• Not everything important is measurable and not everything measurable is important. Focus on setting both hard and soft metrics to evaluate success comprehensively. Understand that qualitative impacts can be just as crucial as quantitative ones in driving long-term value.
• Know the intersection of your brand and your customers' needs, both internally and externally. Aligning your brand's values with the genuine needs and concerns of your audience builds trust and loyalty. Demonstrating this alignment through actions rather than mere statements is key to authenticity.
• Over-delivering for your customer fosters strong, lasting relationships. Going above and beyond in your service or product offerings can transform transactional interactions into loyal partnerships. Small, thoughtful actions that surprise and delight your customers leave a lasting positive impression.

Quote of the Show:

• “For the people who are always told what they can't do, and then they prevail, that's what inspires me.”

Links:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/caryhatch
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryhatch/
• Personal Website: https://caryhatch.com/
• Business Website: https://www.hartinc.com/

Shout Outs:

• Spencer Stuart: https://www.spencerstuart.com
• Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/
• Edelman Trust Barometer: https://www.edelman.com/trust/trust-barometer
• RepTrack: https://www.reptrak.com/
• Liz Wainger
• Shelley Lazarus: Former Chairman of Ogilvy Mather
• Cricket Whitton: CEO of Spanx
• John Hedricks: Former Chairman of Discovery Inc.
• Ted Leonsis: CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment
• Kevin Plank: Founder and Executive Chairman of Under Armour