Marshall Lipman

Director of Corporate Strategy, Jewelry Television

Lipman has worked hard to garner the respect that his co-workers and superiors give him. He wrote a whitepaper on the state of the industry and his company that was more than 100 pages, which has served as a guide in understanding Jewelry Television’s role in the cable and television industry. In addition, Lipman advocated for a new sales avenue, an auction platform, which he helped launch this past summer. Using his knowledge of current marketing channels, he even created a plan and led its execution to develop a YouTube channel. When asked what generational stereotype annoys him Lipman said, “I have to say other generations broad brushing us as lazy or entitled.”

What sort of culture is important to you in the workplace?

You have to be able to have fun.  I work with some really great people, and we do a good job of keeping it loose at times by joking around and having a good time with each other.  There’s a time and a place for everything though, and I’d put our team against any other in the business with respect to how driven we are in working to grow our business.

What misconception or stereotype of your generation drives you the craziest?

I’m probably not alone here, but I have to say other generations broad brushing us as lazy or entitled annoys me the most. I graduated in 2009 when hiring freezes swept the country.  I spent nearly a year taking hundreds of people to lunch/coffee/dinner trying to network my way into a job and/or going to interviews.  After finally getting a position with Regions Bank and spending 2+ years working in commercial banking, I joined JTV in business development to broaden my professional experience and skill set.  For the past 4.5 years, I’ve driven 2.5 hours nearly every week to and from Nashville (where my wife lives) and Knoxville (where JTV is located) in order to capitalize on a unique professional opportunity.  This isn’t a beat my chest moment saying, “Look at me,” but I think it demonstrates how I’m one of many who are driven like this.  Look, I get it, we have some bad apples. But, so does every generation.

What is the one habit that makes you most successful?

I’m a pretty disciplined guy.  Whether in my personal life with things such as diet and exercise, or professionally with trying to exceed expectations with my work, I remain pretty focused on what’s important to me.  Although, I wouldn’t say I’m successful…yet.