Chris Coleman has launched, branded and promoted more than 200 companies in the US and Europe. In 1986 she founded the first technology marketing agency in the Southeastern US, serving hardware, software and professional services firms of every stripe: from two-guys-and-a-dog startups to multinationals like IBM, Panasonic and HP. After selling the agency she joined the turnaround team that transformed a dot-com bomb into the fastest-growing Internet security service in the world.

Atlanta Magazine named Chris one of the ten most influential women in Atlanta for her role in founding the Technology Association of Georgia. She has written two books--The Green Banana Papers: Marketing Secrets for Technology Entrepreneurs and Winning the Technology Talent War—and had hundreds of marketing articles published by the business media.

A lively presenter and facilitator, Chris’s clients include HOW Design Magazine, the Economic Development Council of Northern Ireland, the Harvard Business School Alumni Association, Sales and Marketing Executives International, the Technology Executives Roundtable, and the University of Georgia Board of Regents.

Chris is a graduate of the University of Washington in Seattle. Reach her at greenbananaproject@gmail.com.

ABOUT THE TALK

Creative thinkers have no trouble finding a job. But keeping a job? That's another story. Employee turnover in industries like marketing, software development, and arts/entertainment is almost 40% a year, more than double the national average.

There’s no mystery here. Sooner or later, creative people rebel. Being dissatisfied is in their DNA. They ignore authority, laugh at convention and look for ways to change things. With the right boss, no problem. Wrong boss? Clean out your desk.

After 30 of managing marketing people and clients (with varying degrees of success), Chris Coleman believes creative people need to ask themselves four questions before they take any job. She recommends a straightforward process that doesn’t require much time or soul-searching, but does clarify the question, “Will I be better off somewhere else?” (Hint: more often than not, the answer is “yes.”)

***Parking information: Special CM/ATL Parking will be in the rear of the tent towards Hank Aaron's 715 home run. If confused look for CM volunteers and/ or follow the CM signs.