Missions

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Veteran of the Job Hunting Wars; Photo by Daria Nepriakhina on Unsplash… As the tragically revamped LinkedIn algorithm continues to elevate hype over substance, the once informative wall has become plastered with inanity…

The Worst Thing To Happen To Science Since Trump: Behold My Surprise Promotion

September 16, 2020

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Not A Doctor (I Don’t Even Play One On TV); mad scientist image from the 1940 movie Dr. Cyclops (public domain via Wikimedia Commons)… Sorry, real scientists, I understand these times have been brutal for you, given the willfully ignorant troll in the White House, plus […]

Hard Truths For Hard Times: How To Find A Job During A Recession-Pandemic

July 22, 2020

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Professional Who’s Been There, Survived That; photo of a Great Depression soup kitchen created by gangster Al Capone… This makes four. Over the course of my 30-year career, I’ve survived three other recessions: 1990-1991 — The inevitable collapse of Reaganomics. (Borrow, borrow, borrow… wait, we have […]

Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation: Gettin’ Personal About Pandemics And Protests

June 18, 2020

Posted by One Okay Boomer

by One Okay Boomer; photo by Miguel Bruna on Unsplash… Let’s talk pandemic and protests — but let’s get specific and talk about how the last few months have affected ME. (After all, I’m a member of the “Me Generation.”)

Ask Freddy: How Do I Ace An Advertising Job Interview?

May 27, 2020

4 Comments

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

Q: Dear Freddy: I received an interview offer from an ad agency for its account management intern position. Do you have any tips on acing the interview? — A in LA

Halloween’s Around The Corner — Time To Bust A Few Ghosts On Social Media

October 10, 2019

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Guy Who Ain’t Afraid Of No Ghosts; photo by Stefano Pollio on Unsplash… The business world seems more haunted than ever, with increasing reports of “ghosting” experiences…

A Challenge To All Influencers: What Are You Fighting For?

May 24, 2019

6 Comments

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Influencer Marketing Instructor; photo from the LIDA agency ad campaign for the Jeff Koons rabbit sculpture… The following is the text of a speech I gave May 23 at an Influencers Industry Social Mixer sponsored by Erka Media. Once upon a time there lived two kings […]

Why Most Companies Will Never Disrupt Anything: A Note On Innovation And Conformity

April 6, 2019

3 Comments

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Guy Who Likes Being Heard, Not Herded; photo by davide ragusa on Unsplash… Investors, entrepreneurs, and execs all love talking about “disruption,” so much so that they’ve worn out the word. But few companies can deliver that level of innovative thinking. The reason?

Management Tip: How To Derail Your Organization

March 16, 2019

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Guy Who Doesn’t Like One-Track Minds… Think your company or nonprofit organization is on the right track? See if your executives regularly do any of the following…

Fill In The Blank: You Are A Professional [ ____________ ]

March 5, 2019

3 Comments

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Marketing Professional; photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash… The market hasn’t been this combative since the Greeks went shopping in downtown Troy. What few jobs arise get swarmed by hungry mobs, throwing elbows, and slinging resumes for a shot at a steady paycheck. Even table-waiting gigs attract over 100 […]

LinkedInanity — Dubious Wisdom From The LinkedIn Wall, Wolf Pack Edition

February 22, 2019

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Animal Lover (Not Follower)… Here’s another doozy from the increasingly inane LinkedIn wall: “A wolf pack: the first 3 are the old or sick, they give the pace to the entire pack. If it was the other way round, they would be left behind, losing contact […]

Exploitation 2.0: How To Tap The American Dream For Fun And Profit

February 2, 2019

4 Comments

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Professional Weasel Watcher… A dark corporate conference room. A loud THUD breaks the silence and a voice cries out…

How To Think On Your Feet: Cold Calling And Euphemisms

May 1, 2018

8 Comments

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder Of Atomic Tango + Professor Who Loves To Cold Call His Students; photo by Fabrice Florin via Wikimedia Commons… Picture yourself in a class or business meeting. You don’t have a pressing thought or opinion on the current topic — indeed, your mind is wandering to what you’d like to have […]

Creative Problem Solving: Innovation For The Rest Of Us

August 8, 2017

3 Comments

Posted by Judy Bernstein

by Judy Bernstein, Guest Blogger and VP of Insights & Innovation at CBA; Writer’s Block I photo by Drew Coffman… Seinfeld fans fondly remember the Festivus episode: Frank Costanza, played by the legendary Jerry Stiller, creates a holiday in response to the misanthropy he encountered and inflicted at Christmas. From his desperate, wistful conviction that […]

No Exit: Why Exit Strategies Are Bad For Startups

July 5, 2017

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Entrepreneurial Advisor; photo by Valentin Antonini on Unsplash… Too many entrepreneurs treat their startups like Hollywood relationships: the affair begins with a lot of passion, it’s great for gossip and headlines, and it might even lead to deals, but as soon as things get a little […]

Why Nothing Ever Gets Done: The Fine Art Of Making Work Multiply

March 19, 2017

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Professional Procrastinator… The following story is based on actual events. So you made yourself a short to-do list for this Sunday, and figured you would even have time to watch a movie tonight. But just as you start getting to work… 1. You hear your cat […]

A Total Eclipse Of The Arts? Why It Matters And What We Can Do

February 1, 2017

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Guy Whose Career Would be Nothing without the Arts… Since this website celebrates creative professionals, I would be remiss to not comment on the threat to the National Endowment of the Arts. Although its budget is relatively minuscule — a mere $148 million in 2016 compared […]

Is It Freezing In Here, Or Is That Just My Social Network? How To Handle The Virtual Cold Shoulder

January 3, 2017

Posted by Nereyda Valenzuela

by Nereyda Valenzuela, Guest Blogger + Human Communication Lab Director at Cal State University Fullerton… Ever notice how little things bother you on social media? Such as certain people not liking your photos or accepting your friend requests? These simple cases of inaction can trigger emotions that linger for days. Such willful inaction on Facebook, […]

Welcome To The Chris Christie School of Business (CC: SOB)

September 20, 2016

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Guy Who Questions What Our Business Schools Are Teaching… Dear Leaders of the 21st Century: Congratulations on joining the first class of the Chris Christie School of Business! We are honored that you have chosen to accompany us on our mission to redefine leadership in corporate […]

LinkedInanity — Dubious Wisdom From The LinkedIn Wall, Let Them Eat Cake Edition

September 18, 2016

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Critical Thinking Enthusiast… Please tell me the image above is just another annoying puzzle — one of those banal math problems or word games that clueless people play on LinkedIn to prove they’re “geniuses.” This particular LinkedIn challenge obviously shows the value of proofreading, and it’s […]

Start Your Engines - Nonprofit Management Made Simple

So You Want To Start A Nonprofit? A Quick Word By Rachel Brookhart

July 25, 2016

Posted by Rachel Brookhart

Editor’s Note: We first met Rachel Brookhart on Twitter, where her wit, devotion to smart marketing, and love of both cats and whiskey caught our eye. We also share an academic connection: Rachel received her M.A. in Nonprofit Management from Antioch University L.A., where Atomic Tango Founder Freddy Tran Nager used to teach. Now she’s […]

How To NOT Interview For A Creative Job: The Junior Artless Director

July 8, 2016

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Creative Who’s Sat On Both Sides Of The Table; photo by Samuel Yongbo Kwon on Unsplash… I occasionally help my clients find and interview other marketing agencies and professionals, since I speak the lingo and know what to look for. My B.S. detector can sense a […]

Self-Marketing 101: Smile And Don’t Say Cheese — LinkedIn Profile Tips For Marketers And Creative Professionals

June 21, 2016

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Heavy LinkedIn User… Of all the social networks out there, LinkedIn has delivered the best return on my time — as in actual gigs that come with actual money. That doesn’t mean I love the site — the user experience appears designed by inebriated spider monkeys […]

Why Won’t You Get The Job? You’re Not A Clone Of The Competition

June 11, 2016

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Veteran Of The Career Wars; photo by davide ragusa on Unsplash… Yes, you found a job opening you think you could fill perfectly. You have the skills, the education, a lofty employment record with glowing recommendations, and genuine enthusiasm for both the company and the opportunity. […]

Simon Sinek quote on skills and attitude

LinkedInanity — Dubious Wisdom From The LinkedIn Wall, False Dilemma Edition

May 1, 2016

9 Comments

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Guy Who Hires Skilled Professionals… From his bio, Simon Sinek sounds like an amazing person: author, TEDx star, military innovation adviser, supporter of nonprofits. So I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that this quote was taken way out of context. But that’s […]

What Do You Mean “Partner”?! The 3 Criteria For Partnering

February 20, 2016

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Partner To Some Awesome People; photo by Albert Kok via Wikimedia Commons… In the animal kingdom, a fish called the remora attaches itself to larger creatures like sharks to eat scraps of their food while enjoying their protection. In the human kingdom, a creature called the […]

LinkedInanity — Dubious Wisdom From The LinkedIn Wall, Micromanaging Boss Edition

January 30, 2016

6 Comments

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + LinkedIn Purist… The neighborhood is slowly deteriorating. Not my physical one in L.A., which is gentrifying so fast even the pigeons have to take out loans to eat.

Ask Freddy: Is My Copywriting Portfolio Too Long?

January 23, 2016

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Marketing Professor; photo by Beatriz Pérez Moya on Unsplash… Q: Dear Freddy: What’s a good length for my copywriting portfolio? Right now it’s 20 pages, which feels long, but it’s 6 writing samples, and most are multiple pages. Is that too long? – K in L.A.

12 Survival Tips Before You’re 30: A Career Plan For Young Marketers

January 11, 2016

14 Comments

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Guy Who’s Been There, Survived That; note that this article contains affiliate links, and buying through them helps support the Atomic Tango martini fund… So you just emerged from your academic shell, armed with a degree and a wealth of textbook knowledge. And now you want […]

Worth Repeating: MBAs Fail to Communicate

December 11, 2015

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy J. Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango, MBA, and Professor of Communications… A point that really stood out to me in an overall fantastic article by Philosopher and Business Consultant Matthew Stewart: “Next to analysis, communication skills must count among the most important for future masters of the universe. To their credit, business schools […]

Soul-Sucking Or Awesome? Your Culture, Your Choice!

October 14, 2015

Posted by Patricia Palleschi

by Pat Palleschi, Ph.D., President of the Executive Agency… Employees often tell me that the culture of an organization can encourage them to be productive or be so soul-sucking that they’re dying (figuratively, I hope) to leave. Culture is one powerful aspect of your organization… and it doesn’t take a penny to improve. Here’s how. […]

Self-Marketing 101: How To Create A Killer Resume

September 7, 2015

17 Comments

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Self-Marketing Advocate; photo by Sereja Ris on Unsplash… Thanks to this Internet thing, job hunters worldwide can now apply to dozens of gigs simultaneously with a few keystrokes. No more typing one resume at a time on 99%-cotton-and-cashmere paper, licking stamps (an actual behavior in the […]

You’re Hired! The 4 Reasons You’ll Get The Job

August 26, 2015

Posted by Patricia Palleschi

by Patricia Palleschi, Ph.D., President of The Executive Agency; featured photo by Ben White on Unsplash… A wise person once revealed that there are only four reasons why a person gets hired. (And you are most likely to get hired if you have all four going for you!) Someone in a hiring position likes you. […]

R-E-S-P-E-C-T… Just A Little Bit! The Recruiting Bill Of Rights

August 5, 2015

Posted by Patricia Palleschi

by Patricia Palleschi, Ph.D., President of The Executive Agency… Appropriating the words of Aretha Franklin — and the sentiments of many of you — all we need is a bit more RESPECT to make the recruiting process a lot more effective.

Brilliant Jerks? Bring ‘Em On! (And Why I Hate The Term “Team Player”)

April 10, 2015

17 Comments

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Guy Who Sees Value In Brilliant Jerks; image credit: internet meme featuring photo by Scott Grummett for Wired Magazine… LinkedIn’s wall is degenerating fast. It used to focus on careers and business discussions. Now it’s becoming Facebook, complete with inspirational quotes. For example, my LinkedIn wall […]

Breaking into the Media Biz: 10 Tips for Aspiring Moguls

March 16, 2015

12 Comments

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Fellow Aspiring Mogul; illustration by Barzak… “In this very real world, good doesn’t drive out evil. Evil doesn’t drive out good. But the energetic displaces the passive.” — Bill Bernbach, advertising legend I recently spoke about media careers to college students at the National Broadcasting Society […]

Stupid Job Ad: The 24/7 Renaissance Social Media Manager

November 21, 2014

22 Comments

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Guy Who’s Happy He’s Not On The Job Market… I keep my eyes open for job openings that I can pass on to my students, but too often I encounter ads that get my eyes rolling. The job requirements are so excessive and irrational, not even […]

The Scariest Words You Can Say To Any Consultant: “Can I Pick Your Brain?”

June 5, 2013

6 Comments

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Guy Who Will Not Work for Food… or Coffee; featured illustration by Shane Clester… I once made the mistake of having lunch with a fellow Harvard alumnus who owned an IT firm with $17 million in annual sales. He had asked for my help to market […]

Clark Kent – Role Model? The Dubious Virtues of “Leading” from the Rear

August 24, 2012

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Differentiation Advocate; image by Williamwiki via Wikimedia Commons… Thanks to the jury in the Apple-Samsung case, product differentiation is now mandated in the marketplace (at least in the smartphone industry). Unfortunately, differentiation — and creativity and daring — are harder to find despite every company’s claim […]

My Favorite Steve Jobs’ Quotation (RIP)

October 5, 2011

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Devastated Jobs Fan; photo is a screengrab of the Apple website homepage… “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s […]

LinkedIn For Executives – An Intro

July 3, 2011

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy J. Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango LLC + LinkedIn Veteran… Many entrepreneurs and execs have ineffectual LinkedIn profiles — if they have one at all. That’s because they think they don’t need one at this stage of their career. “I’m not job hunting — why should I bother?” That’s because LinkedIn isn’t just […]

Consulting 101: Dead Wood and Deliverables

February 19, 2011

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Consultant to the Consultants; photo by Antti Leppänen via Wikimedia Commons… Deliverable (n.): Report or item that must be completed and delivered under the terms of an agreement or contract. — BusinessDictionary.com Even though the U.S. has a service-based economy (meaning, “sorry, we don’t make things anymore”), clients […]

What’s Not Up, Doc? Ph.D. Programs Getting Dissed

August 17, 2010

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango & Ph.D.-Program Conscientious Objector; photo by Jonathan Daniels on Unsplash… Lots of dirt being dished about Ph.D. programs these days. Take this amusing quicky critique: “The Illustrated Guide To a Ph.D.” For a more elaborate evisceration, read “The Ph.D. Problem” by Prof. Louis Menand in the November-December […]

Doing Good isn’t Good Enough: Cold Reality for Social Entrepreneurs

February 21, 2010

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango & Social Entrepreneurship Instructor; photo by Alejandro Linares Garcia via Wikimedia Commons… Some people just don’t get it. I’m not talking about the willfully ignorant knuckle-draggers on the Texas State Board of Education. (They’re so beyond not getting it, they’ve gone full primordial.) I’m talking about the […]

First Shot in the Clone Wars: Redefining “Professional”

January 11, 2010

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango & Professional Provocateur; photo by Ryoji Hayasaka on Unsplash… I got some fan mail about [intlink id=”1436″ type=”post” target=”_blank”]my post on resume writing[/intlink]: “I was liking your article, as I have others that I’ve read… However, I soon found the in-your-face political opinion rude and quite unprofessional […]

Expressing My Inner TURFgeek: How I Became a Professional Sportswriter for a Day

July 7, 2009

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy J. Nager, Founder & Fusion Director, Atomic Tango LLC Somebody my size with my athletic ability doesn’t play for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Picture an over-caffeinated chicken on a greased trampoline. It’s just not in my genetic cards. So I did the next best thing: I wrote a bad-ass essay about the team. Actually […]

It Will Eat Your Brain and Your Bank Account: Multilevel Mindlessness

June 11, 2009

12 Comments

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + Kool-Aid Abstainer; featured photo by Les Anderson on Unsplash… Multilevel marketing (MLM) is the business equivalent of cigarette smoking: technically legal, extremely lucrative for its corporate overlords, and lethally addictive for millions of people worldwide, even though it’s ultimately bad for them. The big difference between […]

Why I Won’t Get a PhD: Exhibit 1A

May 28, 2009

Media, Missions

Posted by Freddy Tran Nager

by Freddy Tran Nager, Founder of Atomic Tango + PhD Conscientious Objector… Since I love teaching and talking about marketing, friends often ask why I don’t get a PhD. I’ll think about it… and then I stumble upon an example of the actual work perpetrated by PhD’s in my field…

The Young Professor: How To Get Published

May 18, 2008