Imagine that you're about to interview a prospective new hire. You've read their resume, been briefed by HR and are feeling confident that your recruitment team has done their job well. Now, tear up the resume and step away from your desk. It's time to find out what the true value of this candidate is: their "ROL," or "Return on Life."

AG Salesworks increased staff by 50% in 2011 and plans to hire a comparable amount of new staff in 2012. In these difficult economic times, we're fortunate to work in an industry that continues to experience steady growth.

For an entrepreneur, company founder or CEO, the ability to attract and hire stellar employees defines the potential of your success. When I reviewed our biggest mistakes as a fast-growing startup, they seemed to be almost entirely centered around bad hiring decisions and investing in bad hires for too long. I used to interview people for functional competence and ability, basing decisions on prior accomplishments with an overemphasis on past successes. My process today is very different.

A Jewish colleague recently asked when a Happy New Year memo for Rosh Hashanah would be released to agency employees, citing a note sent to them during the month of Ramadan reminding employees that we have an interfaith prayer room available to all. We often do need reminders to look at the diversity of those around us.

Social and digital media are profoundly changing how we engage with media, colleagues, family and friends, as well as how we conduct business. To maintain a competitive edge, strategy and marketing executives must embrace these changes, create alignment for all senior executives, and drive transformation in their organizations.

Growing up in a family where I had 47 first cousins, the expression "you are the living image of your aunt or uncle" was part of everyday vocabulary. Everyone looked like someone — everyone except my sister and I. Being adopted, we were never told that we were the living image of anyone. We were different, but only in our physical appearance.

While watching the US Women's National Soccer Team defeat Brazil in the FIFA World Cup on July 10, I was reminded that the marketing industry must stay committed to recruiting talent and working as a team. The world we compete in every day is moving at breakneck speed, with a myriad of new opportunities to deliver our messages.

Let's be honest: this is not your father's world. There is no guaranteed lifetime employment anymore. In order to prolong job security, employees must not only develop innovative ideas, but also execute their vision.

The marketing department plays a vital role in promoting the mission and success of an organization.

Many direct marketers have been considering their career options since the job market began to rebound. Some have not received salary increases over the past several years, and they are ready to pursue new employment and "make up for lost time" in terms of compensation. Yet no rational employer wants to pay more than is necessary to secure the best talent.