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50 Things I’ve Learned in 50 Years of Business

May 5, 2026

In May 1976 I began my first full-time job. While I had summer jobs and school jobs, it was now the start of my “career”. I was a freshly minted MBA (NYU) and began my business career at the New York office of Needham, Harper & Steers ad agency at 909 Third Avenue (Post Office building) at 54th Street & 3rd Avenue. I was a “ad man” and was an account executive (AE) on the Amtrak account.

I enjoyed working at Needham Harper & Steers. It was an exciting time in the agency business. The Amtrak account used national and local TV, radio, print, out of home, and trade publications. Obviously, this was “pre-digital” era. It was not a “strategic” account but there was so much for me to learn.  Much of the ads were run were fare & destination ads in local newspapers across the 480 Amtrak stations throughout the U.S. I learned tons about the mechanics of the ad business and I loved it. In truth It was probably my favorite job experience.

I was 23 years old, feeling great about myself and my future, was engaged and would marry in 1977 to my late wife Beth who I met at Rutgers where I received my Bachelor’s degree.

I appreciate that entry level jobs are more difficult to find in today’s world. Having an MBA was definitely a plus in my job search back 50 years ago, at least in gaining potential opportunities and interviews. I thought my MBA degree was the key to my job offer at Needham Harper & Steers, though in reality my boss later told me that my experience as a summer Fuller Brush salesperson was key. He felt that if I was comfortable knocking on strangers’ doors, successfully selling Fuller Brushes door to door, I probably had the “right stuff” to be a fearless ad guy. In retrospect, he was right and it was a great experience to teach tenacity.

I only stayed at Needham, Harper & Steers for 18 months because I was counseled that “packaged goods experience” was a must for a rising account man and my agency didn’t have many packaged goods accounts. I had the opportunity in late 1977 to move across town as an AE on the Pine-Sol account at BBDO/New York, where I would work for 12 years. My career blossomed at BBDO and I had the opportunity to work on a variety of big multinational accounts. BBDO was (and still is) a great agency. I appreciate it more in the rear view mirror than I did at the time.

I continued my ad career in Philadelphia in the 90s and was the head of two of Philadelphia’s largest ad agencies. And then I started a marketing consulting business, Strum Consulting Group, in 1999, a business I still run today.

My career now spans 50 years. Oy vey! I do not run my consulting business with the same zeal and aggressiveness as I did years ago. I am happy to have a handful of clients, meaningful work, and help them succeed. As a consultant, one does not “retire” in the same way one does in the corporate world. In the corporate world your “job”, no matter what level, comes to an end at some point. On the other hand as a consultant one fades away either of one’s own doing or lack of clients. I am choosing not to “not fade away” (love the Dead’s version of the song)

Truth is that today my client roster is leaner (by design) and life objectives are based more on travel, activities, and my recent marriage in 2023 to a lovely woman, Marcie. I also am having a blast as a DJ on WFDU (89.1FM in the NY radio market) where I host a show, Hum with Strum, every Thursday (9a-1pm). BTW, we stream worldwide at wfdu.fm. Nothing like playing rock & roll records as a DJ. Sheer joy.

But with 50 years of work experience and no specific end in sight, I do have the perspective of what it takes to succeed. The business world has dramatically changed and has become far more digital, and AI now plays a key role (I love AI, BTW). Regardless there are learnings I share that stand the test of time and I suspect always will.

Here are 50 keys to success I’ve learned along the way…

1.Take pride in your work as a reflection of you

2. Be dependable. Be the person others go to in a pinch.

3. Be prompt. I hate tardiness.

4. Work hard & don’t coast

5. Tell it straight. If there are problems and issues, say so (and how they can be fixed)  

6. If those problems are your doing and you’ve screwed up (and you will), admit it and fix it.

7. Take the long view. Know the problems of today will fade.

8. Stay calm

9. Obviously there will be people you immediately like and those you don’t but try to like something about everyone you meet

10. At the same time be likeable

11. Learn from mistakes. Don’t make the same mistake more than once.

12. Don’t bail on your current job just because it’s a difficult time.

13. Don’t be hasty, but if it’s time to leave your current job in order to grow, do it gracefully and move forward. (BTW don’t discount returning someday to a previous employer)

14. And… if the ship really is sinking, jump off. No glory in being the violin player on the Titanic.

15. Smile. Laugh. Nobody likes a downer.

16. Take care of yourself physically and mentally. You are a limited asset and will wear down if not taken care of (I learned the hard way)

17. Don’t whine and blame others

18. Be proud of where you work

19. Grow and learn new skills

20. Don’t burn bridges (Your old employer could be a future one see #13)

21. Build genuine relationships and maintain them

22. As you move ahead in your career, help others succeed too.

23. Treat EVERYONE with respect.

24. Don’t be a “kiss up”

25. Have interests outside of work. It makes you move valuable at work (or minimally more interesting)

26. In our hybrid remote world, still try to “be there” as much as you can.

27. If you’re in a client facing role, try to meet face to face as much as you can. Zoom or Teams are fine for routine meetings, but face to face builds relationships

28. Know the names of your co-workers and clients’ children and try to help them if/when you can. No greater mitzvah than helping someone’s child.

29. Write thank you notes and mail them (yes, very old school)

30. Embrace change

31. Never say “this is how we’ve always done it”

32. Learn AI, and think about how it helps you & your company

33. Learn from others & learn as much as you can about everyone’s job

34. Learn how your company makes money & help contribute to the company’s financial success

35. Have a positive attitude even in tough situations

36. Display integrity in the toughest situations. It’s the tough situations that really test you.

37. Listen to others. “Seek first to understand”

38. Know when to turn off your microphone (I learned that one as a DJ)

39. Even if you disagree, try to truly understand an opposing point of view. (that comes from listening see #37)

40. Help others who are looking for work. Be empathetic and offer real help.

41. If you are asking others for help, be specific about what you want.

42. Say thank you & be genuinely appreciative

43. Look people in the eye. ( I was bad at this)

44. Put down your phone When you attend to matters on your phone when in a conversation with others, you are saying that they are not important (I am bad at this too)

45. If you need to criticize a person who works for you, do so privately and offer constructive ways to help them improve.

46. However if you are a team leader, do not carry a poor performer who has had many opportunities to improve. It erodes a team’s attitude and its performance.

47. Help recruiters and treat them respectfully

48. Separate things that are really urgent and from those that are not.

49. In the end realize it’s family and close friends that matter most in life. Never lose sight of that

50. Be kind to others. You never know what’s going on in their lives.

Life and experience are the best teachers, particularly adversity. I know I flunked many of my own lessons during the 50 years. But I’m still learning too. So long as we’re improving and growing as professionals and people, that’s what’s most important. Hope these were helpful.




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