Sophie Palleschi is the Senior Marketing Executive at Clive Owen LLP and is now a CIM Marketing Leadership Programme (L7) graduate.
The CIM Marketing Leadership Programme is a postgraduate-level qualification aimed at senior marketers and focuses on applying strategic thinking to facilitate and implement change at the highest level.
It is a fantastic achievement for Sophie. We are delighted that she chose to study again with nesma; this is her second CIM qualification, as she has also completed the CIM Diploma in Professional Marketing.
Why did you choose to study the Level 7 Qualification?
I completed the CIM Level 6 qualification in 2019, and my experience of studying was great. After saying I wouldn’t study again, I attended an information session on level 7 and signed up the day after! As a marketer, there’s so much to learn! I wanted to enhance my marketing skills further to develop and progress in my marketing career.
What did you discover about yourself in the process?
That I am capable of much more than I thought!
It’s hard work balancing everything, including a redundancy, house move, new job and social life, post-covid! I’m not usually someone who says no to anything, so learning to prioritise studying has helped me manage my time and put myself first!
Getting back into studying after a couple of years’ break was a bit of a shock to the system. Sometimes work takes priority – you almost forget how much time and effort goes into studying, but reflecting now the qualification is complete, it’s something I am incredibly proud to have achieved (and I appreciate having the time back!). After the first module, I also realised I’m not too bad at digital design!
Has studying with nesma helped you in your career?
Yes! nesma and the team have helped me throughout my marketing career (so far!) As well as tutorial support with qualifications, I appreciated the ‘lunch and learn,’ sessions which provided a platform to connect with other marketers studying the same qualification. Chatting through the tasks and listening to different options and experiences was brilliant and highly beneficial.
What did you enjoy most about studying with us?
The relationship with the team. Veronica and Lucy not only helped with my studies, but they were also great to chat with and provided a sounding board for ideas, problems and any help I needed!
The Level 7 studying process through nesma was mainly one-to-one sessions which were arranged at a convenient time. In addition to the sessions, I had the opportunity to attend various events, which enhanced my knowledge and allowed me to connect with other marketers, all facilitated through nesma.
What do you do differently now?
I am a more strategic thinker, using the skills I have learnt and developed through studying to analyse marketing strategy and tactics. When communicating marketing information to the wider team, I am more concise and explicit about my proposed strategies.
Level 7 has helped me develop my skills in preparing information and documents for board-room-level discussions. The qualification has enabled me to react to changes and developments in the industry, whether an unexpected shift in direction or adapting a current strategy to respond to an external change or challenge.
What words of advice would you give anyone considering a career in marketing?
If you are interested in marketing, then go for it! A role in marketing covers a vast range of skill sets and spans every industry. With marketing now being recognised as an essential function of a business rather than just a ‘nice to have’, there are more marketing roles than ever!
I would also say to those considering a CIM qualification, again, do it! It’s a competitive market, and not only does it help you stand and out, but it also gives you an accredited qualification. It helps you have those strategic conversations in the workplace and provides a world of additional content to help enhance your knowledge of current topics and new studies.
Studying demonstrates a commitment to your role and profession; as marketers know, you can never stop learning!
What are the significant changes within your industry at present?
The industry is facing a variety of challenges, including:
Announcements in the mini-budget mean we need to understand and quickly advise clients on the changes and react to the information to provide concise and straightforward advice.
Recruitment – I think everyone is struggling with this at the moment! We focus on staff retention and are currently defining our values. We have implemented a range of well-being and flexible working practices for the team, including; a nine-day fortnight and hybrid working.
What do you enjoy most when you aren’t doing the day job?
Outside of work, I run a netball club. We have been going for six years! During that time, I trained as both a coach and an umpire. We have two teams playing in leagues across Teesside. I also am a member of the Teesside Young guns committee, helping to plan business events across the Tees valley. And just after completing my level 7, I got engaged, so time is also now taken up having fun planning a wedding! I have also recently signed up for a charity to volunteer mentoring young girls in the local area.
The CIM Marketing Leadership Programme is a postgraduate-level course consisting of three modules: two mandatory and one elective. Upon completing this postgraduate level qualification, delegates can benefit from utilising the designated letters’ DipM’ after their name. The programme can also be used to work towards a master’s or MBA qualification, representing 60 credits that can be used as Accredited Prior Learning (APL).
