Hugh MacLeod, a daily read not only for his sage advice, but because he has some of the best cartoon work I have ever seen, today talks about a cool notion–”unique currency” He explains this as an asset we all bring to the table in our everyday lives. He tells an advertising friend his thoughts about changing careers back to advertising from TV:

“Well, above all else use something from what you’ve learned in the TV business, in order to create your own ‘unique currency’ within the ad industry. Otherwise you’re just one more schmuck advertising creative over the age of 35, looking for a gig. The market is already flooded with those guys. And they rarely have an easy time of it. There’s just too many people chasing advertising work out there. Brutal. Miserable. Don’t even think of going there.”

We all bring an asset to the team we with work with. I have a couple of very talented people that work with me here, and like an isosceles triangle we fit together perfectly to make an even further uniqueness that is an asset to our clients, that is different from many of our peers. We have a unique currency. Thanks Hugh, and next time you look to bring someone on board your team, just ask the simple question, “What’s in your wallet?”