AtlanticBT Raleigh Web Developers

Walking in the door I felt something. I was visiting Mark Foulkrod, COO of Atlantic BT, a few weeks ago with John Kean. People flew from Atlantic BT's East Wing to the West Wing on scooters. I caught pieces of interesting web marketing conversations as Mark led us to his office overlooking Crabtree Valley Mall. Settling into Mark's office we talked Internet marketing with speed and fury. It is not that we don't have lives, at least not completely (LOL). We love what we do, would do it for free and love building toward the impossible goal of ever figuring Internet marketing out.

Internet marketers are a special breed. Great jazz musicians have a lot in common with Internet marketers. Seeing Miles Davis years ago I watched as the master waited, listened and then built a new wing on the house his young band had just created. Miles' young band shook their heads as he worked finger magic on top of their substantial base. Yes, that was the feeling at AtlanticBT. Great jazz riffs happening, building and looking for brother and sister riffs. Energy is infectious and Atlantic BT's Raleigh web development energy met me at the door, got my attention and continued to build.

Mark followed Martin's Ride To Cure Cancer and helped us ride a bicycle across America last summer. Sitting in his office we discussed climbing Marathon Mountain, reaching the Continental Divide, falling (more than once), and learning hard life lessons. Constant learning is another jazz / Internet marketing connection. If Miles could learn new things so can we all, always. Mark shared great book recommendations including Fierce Conversations as John and I made notes on our iPhone (still can't get used to that, but MOBILE she is a coming).

We talked about the Cure Cancer Store and several very cool projects AtlanticBT is working on. It was a great Friday afternoon conversation before John had to head home and resume work for BofA and take care of his 3 great sons. Thanking Mark I mentioned how broke one becomes leaving a good job as a Director of Ecommerce to ride a bicycle across America. I asked Mark to share my resume thinking I would love to work for Mark, Jon, Matt and with the Atlantic BT team but realizing they just expanded.

Mark let me know Atlantic BT was looking for a Marketing Director and asked if I would be interested. The answer to that question is always YES. We had more great meetings each building on thoughts from the previous. Today I met AtlanticBT's creative, intelligent and hard working marketing team and accepted Jon, Mark and Matt's offer to join a new band. Reading Robert Rose's Managing Content Marketing and Vogler's The Writer's Journey I can't help but think of the Hero's journey.

Having realized a lifelong dream my questing hero days are behind me. I will never forget my reaction when a very nice Duke nurse ask me innocently if I would ever ride across America again. "NO," was so immediate and forceful it shocked us both. This was less than a week after returning from LA, but one's immediate reactions are often the truth. America is out, but Martin's Ride To Cure Cancer in France sounds intriguing and exhausting (lol).

Best to know what stage of life one is in. I've always had GREAT coaches and mentors starting when my father coached my first football team in Dallas. My time on the field may be over, but coaching, helping, listening and continuing to think creatively about the strange thing I've come to love - Internet marketing - feels like home, feels like fun.

I know there are great coaches reading this. Please share any advice, tips and ideas remembering I won't have a whistle or clipboard :). I will have a talented team of young Internet marketing jazz musicians who can PLAY....just like Miles.

Thanks to family, friends and mentors for helping me become the new Marketing Coach at the best web development company in Raleigh. Look for Atlantic BT coming to a GoTo Meeting near you :).

Martin

P.S. Cure Cancer Store is still launching 1.2012, so please LIKE on Facebook. 

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Martin Smith
Director of Marketing
AtlanticBT, Raleigh, NC