Pat Finken - City Magazine

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Hosted by The Dakota Institute and Bismarck State College. Major funding provided by Whiting Petroleum Corporation. Media Partners: The Bismarck Tribune Dakota Media Access Consolidated Community Channel 18 KX News Additional Sponsors: Bismarck State College Foundation Enbridge Pipelines (ND) LLC United Printing Halliburton Program Partner: Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra
Why did you retain the cm: “Odney” name after you bought the Bismarck side of the agency? Pat Finken: Who the heck would want to hire an agency named “Finken?” But the truth is, I’m a brand guy; I believe in the power of brands. Great brands are the product of what people care most about and what you do best. Understanding that overlap is the key to developing great brands. It’s also how you do great advertising, how you create awareness, motivation and persuasion. The Odney brand was established and known in the marketplace and on a regional basis. We had an eight or nine year jumpstart on that brand identity and we would have been crazy to change. It had become a valuable brand, and I never had the ego to insist my name had to be on the door. I’ve counseled many clients on brand strategy and what I did was act as I tell my clients to act. cm: As an entrepreneur, what’s your advice to someone thinking about going into business for themselves? Pat Finken: Do your homework. These decisions must be made by your head working with your heart. Make sure the market is right, that you see a clear pathway to building a business that’s going to be profitable. What matters to you is not important; what matters to your potential customers is how you win. Understand who your customer is and what they value and make sure there are enough of them to make it work. That’s no. 1; no. 2 is don’t be afraid. Understand who your customer is and what they value and make sure there are enough of them to make it work. That’s no. 1; no. 2 is don’t be afraid. cm: What has been your biggest personal challenge? Pat Finken: My wife has struggled with depression. She has spoken on it at a couple of the First Lady’s Health Summits. It’s been a 20-plus year battle and it’s better now, but it’s a sad, sad thing to watch someone go through and to be part of it. Obviously, it affects the whole family. You really don’t understand the issues until you’re immersed in it, until you see it firsthand, and that’s the way it is with any disease. It doesn’t get to be personal until it gets very personal. When you go through this kind of stuff you have much greater appreciation, sympathy and compassion for people who go through these things. cm: work? Photo by Glasser Images What’s the most personally rewarding thing about your Pat Finken: What I find rewarding is that we can make a difference. I believe wholeheartedly that North Dakota is enjoying what it enjoys today because our state has embraced the idea that business is good and that we need business to create jobs which, in turn, create quality of life. I’ve been able through my work to have made a difference in building the economy. See Pat Finken’s answers to the “City Mag 10” questionnaire by visiting thecitymag.com and clicking “Extra Content.”
Page 1 and 2: BISMARCK • MANDAN • DICKINSON S
Page 3 and 4: September 2011 | Contents Kilee’s
Page 5 and 6: Publisher’s Note In earlier times
Page 7: you’re not familiar with the Nort
Page 11 and 12: Community Cluster Mandan on the Mov
Page 13 and 14: Thinn, 27, graduated from Arizona S
Page 15 and 16: Saturday, September 17: Men’s Col
Page 17 and 18: Night Life Wine Notes By Joel Gilbe
Page 19 and 20: September 16-17 Downtowners’ Stre
Page 21 and 22: An eclectic restaurant and lounge i
Page 23 and 24: Hobby Hub A Taste of North Dakota S
Page 25 and 26: Hobby Hub Good Reads By Rina Szwarc
Page 27 and 28: y Glasser September Images2011 27
Page 29 and 30: Business and Communication Communic
Page 31 and 32: 2008, and I started looking for com
Page 33 and 34: City Magazine Home Section Septembe
Page 35 and 36: “The lighting thing is what I was
Page 37 and 38: How is the Minot flood recovery goi
Page 39 and 40: Depression Nearly Cost Jacques Lamo
Page 41 and 42: Sponsored by Health Medical By Mary
Page 43 and 44: Oblique V-Up: Lie on left side, leg
Page 45 and 46: September 2011 45
Page 47 and 48: “The Marriage of Bette and Boo”

Pat Finken - City Magazine

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