B2design

My name is Brian Blake. Two B's...  B2

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I have used this moniker since the mid-eighties (yeah, I'm that old!). The thing is, I'm cool with my age because I have learned SO MUCH in my time on this planet. Let's jaunt down Memory Lane for a moment...

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Writer

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Early on, I had a strong interest in writing... and I was pretty darn good at it. Editor of the school newspapers in high school and college, I also trained as a Journalist/Public Affairs Specialist (71Q) for the United States Army. I like to write and I believe it is the cornerstone of every project. Nothing beats good writing.

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Designer

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I was always a "doodler" (still am, truth be told). For a "fine arts" class requirement, I took Charcoal Drawing I. Not only did I love it, I realized I had some serious artistic skills. After some time as a freelance artist, I landed my first "real job" as a designer and was introduced to digital design... and I soared. The skills I developed here prepared me for my next role in a much larger organization - smack dab in the middle of a 30-person marketing department as the Creative Production Specialist.

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Project Manager

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In my next role, I was designing and writing (which was incredible!), but I was also embracing this new technology called "the information superhighway" and I had to manage a web design company as well as three different ad agencies in different parts of the country. My skillsets were broadening, and I realized I was becoming a Marketer.

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Strategist​

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My next couple of roles centered around my ability to perform several critical functions:

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• Understand the goals of a business line

• Visualize what success looks like

• Strategize a plan to get from here to there

• Create the marketing pieces needed

• Implement effective tactics in the appropriate channels

• Measure the results, make adjustments, and re-launch

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Eventually, I realized I was really good at each of the tasks required, but it was impossible for me to be GREAT at all of them... and keep things moving forward. I needed a way to "scale" myself.

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Leader

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I went back to school. I earned a bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership and a master's degree in Management. I learned how to lead teams to do what I could imagine in my mind. In my most recent roles, I have led award-winning teams to imagine/create/develop programs that are truly off the charts in creativity and effectiveness. This is my niche. This is my WHY.

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Teacher

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Currently, I am an adjunct professor at two local universities, teaching in both online and classroom settings. At Oklahoma Christian University's Graduate School of Business, I teach Marketing and the Legal Environment, Marketing Management and Innovation, and System Intervention / Diagnosis Techniques. At Southern Nazarene University, I teach Marketing for Managers and Operations Management in the Professional & Graduate Studies program.

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Of course, I am forever a student, too. I learn more from my students and the teams I lead than I could possibly teach them. And, I feed my mind regularly with the brilliance of thought leaders such as Seth Godin, Simon Sinek and Ann Handley.

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Conclusion

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When you meet with B2design, you are meeting with me... Brian Blake. As we talk, I get a better understanding of what you need to achieve your goals. All I want is to make my client successful - I have no ego in the game. I have been doing this a long time. I have wonderful connections with some of the most talented people in the United States (and many of them have worked together on other projects). 

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Sometimes, my clients want me to help them strategize a way to get to their goals. Other times, they need my technical skills to design/build the pieces. And, often times, they need me to assemble and manage a team to meet their goals. Having worked with so many skilled experts over the years, I'm able to quickly tap my trusted partners to collaborate to meet my client's needs. Having worked together before, this team of professionals deliver the type of results that make everyone "high-five" each other!

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