Which professional has the better chance of getting a job? An LGBTQ female graduate, a 30-year old African-American, or a 55 year-old caucasian male?

The answer may not be so easy. I asked a male African-American friend with decades of experience in the financial markets for his opinion. It caused him to pause and think. “If you’ve got mileage, you’re not getting a job,” he said eventually. Read more…

Tags: Civil Rights, Corporate Culture, Discrimination, Equality, LGBT History Month, LGBTQ

As women’s history month winds down in the US, UK, Australia and elsewhere around the world, it’s a good time to reflect on the diversity efforts in your organization. Many companies will take advantage of the broader, even popular, recognition of the month to put in place activities, events, presentations and communications to highlight the accomplishments of women in their organization. Many take it a step further and host programs for girls, encouraging the next generation to dream as big as they wish and find early professional support. Read more…

Tags: Corporate Culture, Diversity, Equal Opportunity, Equality, Gender Balance, International Women’s Day, IWD

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” – Benjamin Franklin

If you’re fortunate enough to work for an employer that genuinely encourages your professional and academic growth – take advantage of it! The business world is constantly evolving as new technologies and industries disrupt the workforce. In order to survive and thrive professionally, it’s vital to continue learning and expanding your capabilities. Taking classes to learn a new skill, obtain a certificate, or even earn a higher degree will make you more valuable to your employer and clients. According to a research study by the U.S. Department of Education, two-thirds of job openings will require postsecondary education or training by 2020.

With encouragement and support from the entire Paragon team, I recently began a 24-month MBA program at Montclair State University. As the new semester begins, I would like to share some tips to successfully balance graduate school and working full-time. Read more…

Tags: Business Development, Graduate School, Higher Education, MBA, Montclair State University, tips, Training

Everyone has that one song they can’t skip. The type of track that you can play on repeat and never get sick of listening to. As a hip-hop enthusiast, I have quite a few, but each one has something timeless that keeps me invested. Pitching clients to reporters is a bit like writing a song. Think about the four components of a hip-hop song: an intro, a hook, verses, and a beat.

Here’s how the basic structure of a song can make for a perfect pitch:

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Tags: Content, Hip hop, Journalism, Music, Pitch, PR, Public Relations

It would be incredibly difficult to find someone who has never played at least one video game in their life. The stereotypical view is that video games are made only for male teenagers and children – but this couldn’t be further from reality.

According to the Entertainment Software Association, in 2017 the average age of a gamer in the US was 35 – and 41% were female. This data is a clear indication that the industry is creating games that appeal to people from all walks of life. The gaming industry is now being increasingly used as a marketing channel. It’s no surprise that the sector is booming – in the US alone, the market was worth around $18.4bn (Statista, 2017), which provides an idea of the vast opportunities for marketing.

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Tags: Digital, Fortnite, Gaming, influencers, Innovation, Marketing, Strategy, Twitch, Video Games

Data-focused regulation by any other name would still be regulation. But will GDPR make a difference?

Can’t live with it, can’t live without it. A familiar refrain that seems to apply to many areas of life – love, vices, household appliances… you name it. But when it comes to the EU’s new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which takes effect on 25 May (yes, this week), ‘can’t live without it’, isn’t an option.

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Tags: Compliance, EU, GDPR, Marketing, PR, Regulation, Reputation

Public relations isn’t easy – that’s why there are entire agencies, like Paragon, dedicated to the craft. Especially for those new to PR, media relations can feel like an obstacle course, and one whose rewards are anything but instant.

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In the second installment of Pages with P.J., I take a look at Phishing for Phools: The Economics of Manipulation and Deception. Phishing for Phools outlines the theories formulated by Nobel Prize-winning economists George A. Akerlof and Robert J. Shiller about how free markets operate across various industries and that regardless of intentions of all parties, there will always be a winner and a loser. In other words, someone will always be “phished” for a “phool”.

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Tags: Banking, Book Review, Marketing

In Pages with PJ, I will be taking a close look at books that affect the financial industry. This week, I read Mohamed A. El-Erian’s The Only Game in Town: Central Banks, Instability, and Avoiding the Next Collapse. It details how the Federal Reserve, central banks and key policymakers have impacted the global economy and how they will remain the instrumental players in sculpting capital markets well into the future.  

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Tags: Bank Crisis, Banking, Book Review, Economics, Finance