Keeping on your toes with Michael Inpong: leader of year?

A sneak peak at who's in the running to be Marketing Leader of The Year 2014 - we interview Michael Inpong, marketing and R&D director, Müller Dairy.

What’s the smartest business idea you’ve had?
Surrounding myself with people who keep me on my toes.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Constantly, passionately and ruthlessly seek to serve the consumer.

What does bold marketing leadership look like?
Being relentless, which for me means decide, commit, succeed, repeat.

What one thing would improve your life?
‎An extra few hours in the day…and of course world peace!

How do you achieve a work-life balance?
I make sure to clearly define my priorities on both sides and I’m as determined to achieve them in my home life as I am in my work.

What would you say to your 17-year-old self?
I’d say to my 17-old year self 'Yes, of course she finds you attractive'… but also 'whatever you decide to do later, seek to be the elite.'

Who or what has inspired you most profoundly in your career?
‎'Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.' - Muhammad Ali.

What's the hardest thing you've ever done and what did you learn from it?
‎In the last year, it was to go and win the men’s over 20s category under black-belt level at the All-England Shotokan Karate Championships… despite breaking my finger just three weeks prior to the competition! It was my first free-fighting competition and I only started practising Karate 4 years ago when my son took an interest in the sport, but stepping up to a new challenge was a superb feeling. Always seek to push yourself out of your comfort zone and be relentless in pursuit of your goals.

If you hadn't been in business what would you have been?
Probably an average professional football player. I was at professional club’s football academy in France during my teens and was selected for the under 17 French squad. After my A-levels, I was offered a contract. I made my first big life choice: I decided to go to university instead, but I challenged myself to have as much pleasure, adrenaline and victories in business as I could have had in football.

What lessons from karate can be applied to marketing?
Work hard on the basics and make every day a training day.

Marketing Leader of Year 2014: voting now closed
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