My friend Toby Bloomberg sent me a transcript of a recent online conversation about advice to college grads. I thought this point was particularly important. I started my career with a field sales job for this same reason, and it's opened doors like you wouldn't believe.

Are you a recent college grad? If so, my advice is to start with a sales position. You can never underestimate the value of working directly with clients and customers to better understand the purchase decision-making process. As you move up the marketing ladder within organizations, you oftentimes get further and further away from the customer. Starting in sales can help ground you in being customer-focused.