Adapting successfully in the business world means seeking out and taking on roles that challenge your previous knowledge and expose you to new experiences. While it may seem daunting at the time, the ability to approach change with a curious mindset is crucial to one’s success in and outside of the office.
One woman who has mastered this technique through years of hard work and initiative is Carol Voorhees. Currently serving on the executive team of New Jersey Manufacturers (NJM). Throughout her career, Carol has come to recognize the value of understanding one's strengths and weaknesses while possessing the confidence to navigate unfamiliar situations.
Voorhees did not pursue a typical bachelor's degree, but rather chose to take certification-based courses ahead of joining the workforce. She began her career at NJM in 1996 as a Systems Analyst for the information technology branch of the company. Carol discussed the encouragement and resources her company provided her with to pursue higher education. A topic that led to an emphasis on finding a company with a compatible and supportive culture. Voorhees gained traction throughout her first decade with NJM, occupying positions of increasing responsibility, eventually being named director of IT Business Relations in 2007.
In 2015, Voorhees enrolled as a student at Thomas Edison University and completed a bachelor's degree in organizational leadership. This advancement unlocked a variety of pathways to further develop her career as she advanced to overseeing the IT and Marketing departments. One of the initial struggles that Voorhees faced was familiarizing herself with the newly-formed marketing department, as her specialization was elsewhere. Working with other executives, she recognized the advantages of outsourcing heavier marketing initiatives in order to maintain the mission and values of the company. In April 2018, Voorhees officially joined the company’s executive leadership team.
In 2021, Voorhees broadened her knowledge further by attending Boston University to earn her masters in insurance management. In the same year she was named one of 2021’s Best 50 Business Women by NJBIZ, an online chronicle of business innovation in New Jersey. When asked by New Jersey Business Magazine if she had any advice for newer business women, she stated, “Build relationships with colleagues and grow a network of people within the company and outside of it. This will help create job opportunities and develop a group of trusted advisers to whom you can turn. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions and be curious. Continuous learning is the key to continuous success.”
Carol Voorhees has done an exceptional job pivoting in her career when needed — her climb of the corporate ladder showcases her ability to reshape her knowledge and skills to better prepare her for unknown situations. Voorhees adapted to the demands of different branches and discovered how to navigate areas of business both familiar and foreign. Starting out in an IT position with no official college education to now becoming an executive of a major insurance company, achieving a master’s along the way. Carol’s success portrays the value in approaching challenges with a willingness to grow and learn.
Adapting in the business world includes challenges such as having to rework department approaches to keep up with current trends and competitors. As the Social Media Supervisor at NJM, Amy Decker oversees all marketing done on social platforms such as Instagram and Tiktok. One of the toughest barriers her department faces is creatively transforming an insurance company’s mission into social media trends. Decker said she heavily relies on the authenticity of the company’s culture, specifically how close knit the employees at NJM are. This environment is used to paint a picture of the company’s goal to provide services that benefit families, inevitably attracting customers with similar values.
She emphasized the importance of tailoring campaigns to context. The type of content on Instagram vs. TikTok varies, as the two algorithms are completely different. Decker approaches this by curating separate media for each platform to maximize positive results. On the insurance-based side of things, advertising quotes in different states and areas has a procedure similar to her social media tactics. Decker shared that her team analyzes the popularity of certain quotes and decides which ones to push more aggressively in certain locations.
The work done by Decker and her team parallels social trends and cultures that are ever-changing. While meticulous, it is incredibly important to keep up with these fluctuations in order to stay relevant. Social media marketing is becoming the main method of advertising, more recognized every day. Amy Decker manages the company’s image and statistics in a cost effective and progressive manner that brings NJM’s online status into the competition.
As demonstrated through Carol Voorhees, the ability to situate yourself in foreign and familiar positions is imperative to one’s success, similar to how Amy Decker must constantly shift her advertising tactics to reflect society and stay ahead of the industry. Adaptation is not just about altering for a best fit, but also one’s initiative to explore unknown paths and learn to walk them proudly.
Comments