The Best Advice for New CSGers
So you’ve joined the ranks of CSG, but how do you make the most of the those precious few days and weeks where everything is new and exciting and you want to put your best foot forward? Vice President of Operations, Molly Anderson, compiled advice from current and former CSGers to help newcomers feel right at home at our agency.
When you join the CSG team and finally get to join in the chorus of “We are CSG” when announcing yourself at meetings, it’s an exciting feeling! But, it’s not a feeling that comes without a few nerves reminiscent of the first day of school — a few butterflies have landed squarely in your stomach, your eyes and ears are in hyper drive trying to take in all the new information, your almost-perma smile is bright and shiny as you strive to make that oh-so-desired stellar first impression.
At CSG, we’re well aware of those first day jitters, and that’s important. But, what’s even more important, is the fact that when you join CSG, you’re joining a collaborative, supportive, inclusive environment where everyone wants to make your first days and weeks here just as perfect as you want to make them too!
To set you down the right path with the right tools, we’ve compiled an assortment of tips, tricks and advice for new CSGers. Check it out and put your first-day fears at ease!
The Core
Ask every question of every person! We have a lot of veteran CSGers here and with that comes a lot of knowledge living in people's heads. Speak up when something doesn't make sense!
It may be virtual right now, but it's happening so be happy!
Make sure to cut at the core of what the client’s need really is before you start on any new piece of client work.
The Studio
Bring the Creative team into your projects early on and it will make them more robust and give them stronger legs!
CSG is super flexible, so if you see a way your role could grow/evolve, voice it and it could be exactly what you're looking for in your career.
Everybody's door is always open! So pop in! Don't be shy, we're all figuring things out as we go and we'd love to answer your questions. Harassing people on Zoom for answers is encouraged!
Ask Steven questions — he likes it, and it's a good way to get a sense of the bigger CSG versus the day-to-day view.
Over-communicate — we're not a conversation averse group at all!
Welcome, new CSGer! A well-constructed project brief can make all the difference in the content creation process. The stronger the direction, the stronger the deliverable.😊
Creatives are your friends!
CSG uses so many platforms to facilitate internal communications — use them! Especially Asana! Make it your primary go-to for sharing information with the Studio about the projects we're collaborating on.
Get to know Molly!!! [You know I was going to throw this one in...couldn’t resist!]
Strategy Group
Make time to chat around the office.
Don't forget to breathe. It can sometimes feel like a lot, but we aren't curing cancer and we aren't performing brain surgery. You got this!
Meet as many people from different teams as you can — be sure to go out of your way to chat with people you may not see every day.
Be resourceful and proactive!
Be confident in what you have experienced prior to coming to CSG. If you see a solution that the Strategy Group, or your team, may not be aware of, please speak up! We hired you for a reason and know you have knowledge so share, so we want to learn from YOU.
Prioritize your to-do's with your team! There's always a LOT to be done so it's good to know what is the most important and what can be pushed until the next day.
We're excited you're here! I think you'll come to see CSG is full of passionate people who work hard and aren't afraid to engage in productive, respectful debates behind closed doors when we disagree about strategy or how to get the work done. Don't be afraid to have an opinion and speak up — we value perspectives and insights.
Tell us when you are overwhelmed with work. There is a difference between hustling and working hard, and working to death, and it is easy to do as a newly hired CSGer who feels the need to prove themselves. Be honest with yourself and us; it is normal to feel a bit overwhelmed, but give yourself a few extra hours to complete things the first time around.
Never be afraid to speak up. We don't know everything, and we're always open to new ideas or even just new ways of presenting and packaging things that we're already doing.
It's going to be even harder to get to know everyone at CSG from a distance, but put in the extra effort to make those connections with people outside of your team!
Ask a lot of questions and don't be afraid to try something new.
Take time to get to know people outside of your immediate team. Have a (virtual) coffee break or happy hour!
A positive attitude and can-do spirit, in addition to practicing proactivity, will go a long way in helping you accomplish your goals. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions!
We all believe great ideas can come from anywhere — don't be afraid to speak up, share your thoughts/opinions, etc.