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JoAnn Hrabousky
Mr. Mathew Scotten
BA 216 – Final Project
3 October 2012
Organizational Background
In 1994, Boston brothers Bert and Jon Jacobs created the company Life is Good, Inc.
(LIG). Their colorful collection of casual apparel and quality accessories created a fresh outlook
on life by using its optimistic hero with a huge smile, Jake. Their philosophy is to amplify life’s
simple pleasures while enjoying comfortable apparel. The corporate culture is hardworking but
casual and the dress code permits not just T-shirts but shorts and flip-flops. Brainstorming new
ideas are done over beer and sandwiches, not power meetings.
LIG’s mission is to spread the power of optimism and their business philosophy is "Do
what you like, like what you do”. As of 2011, their annual revenue exceeded 100 million with
245 employees. The company has also proven their social responsibility in the community by
hosting numerous charitable benefits and fundraisers to help sick children.
Life is Good Company has a newly created position available for a Marketing Executive
Assistant that will assist the Marketing Director in the daily operations of the LIG team.
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Job Description and Specifications
The Marketing Executive Assistant position will primarily focus on assisting with the
creation and implementation of marketing creative strategy that will successfully evolve the LIG
brand to fulfill company goals of becoming consumer driven and multi segment channeled. As
the Marketing Executive Assistant, this individual will work with the Marketing Director and
partner with the graphic arts team to ensure the brand has a consistent look and feel as it is
expressed through LIG products and consumer messaging. This person will need stellar project
management skills and a creative jack-of-all-trades approach. Responsibilities will be diverse
and will give the right candidate an excellent opportunity to get involved in many areas of LIG’s
growing business.
Candidates for this position must also be a generally optimistic person with a good sense
of humor since the company’s mission is to spread optimism while amplifying life’s simple
pleasures. A person in this position must thrive in a fast-paced, creative environment and have
the ability to move quickly and comfortably between multiple projects, assisting with managing
them from start to finish. The right candidate must demonstrate the ability to work both
independently and with a dynamic team of creative professionals.
Staying up to date with creative trends in retail and online marketing strategies is crucial
in this executive assistant position. You will work directly with the Director and must be
proficient in all aspects of Marketing operations, including support, development and distribution
of marketing and sales materials. This candidate should possess strong proper grammar usage,
proofreading abilities, be detail and deadline oriented, along with being creative and pro-active.
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Life is Good
Position Description
Title of position:
Classification:
Reports to:
Marketing Executive Assistant
Regular Full Time
Marketing Director
Marketing Assistant Job Purpose
This position supports the Marketing Department by compiling, formatting, and reporting
information and materials directly to the Marketing Director.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
 Provide assistance and support to marketing functions ensuring that the team, culture,
capabilities, tools and processes support our strategic objectives and brand.
 Work collaboratively with the graphic design team in bringing simplicity, humility, and
humor to our brand.
 Assembles consumer-rating reports by compiling, consolidating, formatting, and
summarizing information, graphs, spreadsheets, and presentations.
 Updates company database by inputting data and distributing reports.
 Provides marketing tracking and research information by collecting, analyzing, and
summarizing data and trends.
 Accomplishes marketing and organization mission by completing related results as
needed.
 Excellent planning and organizational skills.
 Maintain schedules, deadlines and appointments for Marketing Department.
 Able to communicate effectively with staff and external support vendors.
 Organize marketing materials and information for Marketing Director.
 Maintain advertising files—correspondences, magazine and online advertising, etc.
 Assist with coordinating promotional activities with advertisers to market LIG brand
products.
 Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
 Build and retain direct relationships with clients to ensure satisfaction.
Knowledge, skills and abilities required
 Effective deductive reasoning and decision-making skills.
 Proficient computer skills in all Microsoft office programs.
 Demonstrated knowledge of marketing principles and techniques.
 Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
 Ability to multi task and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
 Minimum 40 wpm typing speed.
 Strong organizational skills and high-level of detail orientation.
 Ability to work with a diverse group of people.
 Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills.
 Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.
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Education and/or Experience
This position requires two to three years of marketing experience or training that would likely
provide exceptional performance of the essential functions required for this marketing assistant
position. Bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing preferred. Business Administration
experience will be considered.
Working Environment
Personnel assigned to this position will work in an office environment Monday through Friday,
9am – 5pm with the exception of Federal Holidays. This individual will assist the Director in
ensuring the Life is Good brand has a consistent look and feel as it is expressed through our
products and our customer messaging.
This position may require sitting for long periods while performing necessary functions
including computer programming, scheduling meetings and appointments, and document
processing.
The Marketing Department occasionally partners with the Graphic Arts team for design
creativity meetings. The person in this position is responsible for organizing these events as well
as participating in the creative process.
This individual must have knowledge of the Life is Good mission and culture, be highly
motivated and organized, and possess a desire to work in an atmosphere that encourages
creativity through a good sense of humor.
Our working conditions are faced-paced and our personnel enjoy being creative in the Life is
Good style. We encourage an optimistic laid-back atmosphere with a variety of perks such as an
on-site gym and casual dress everyday.
To Apply
Please apply online at www.lifeisgood.com and send your cover letter and resume to
resume@lifeisgood.com and please reference the job in the subject heading. No phone calls
please. If we feel that your skills and experience match the requirements of our job opportunity,
we will contact you directly.
LIG is an Equal Employment Opportunity company
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Recruitment
The candidate recruitment for the Marketing Executive Assistant position will be posted
both internally and externally through the following sources:
 Life is Good Company Intranet and website
 Hard copies in company break rooms
 Professional networking online site such as LinkedIn
 Professional Internet job search sites such as eMarketingSilo and Marketing Pilgrim
 Colleges and Universities with business programs or internships
 Private employment agencies such as ESF (Executive Search Firm) for those applicants
that seek confidential availability
Internal recruiting will be done initially as it is the most cost-effective. It also boosts morale and
productivity when employees know they can advance within the LIG Company.
All applicants will be required to submit the following documents:

Resume and cover letter

Three professional references

Completion of Life is Good job application at date of hire
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Selection Plan
The Human Resource Department will conduct the applicant interviews. Life is Good
Company utilizes a standard list of questions to ensure that all applicants receive equal treatment
and opportunity. Our HRM’s are trained in effective questioning techniques and are encouraged
to ask open-ended questions that probe into an applicant’s work philosophy, knowledge and
commitment ensuring the right fit between the job and it’s owner.
Candidate Selection Process:
I.
II.
Professional resumes and cover letters will be screened for qualified candidates.
After candidates are chosen, a phone interview is scheduled for further assessment and
selection.
III.
Initial structured interviews are scheduled for assessing relevant KSAO’s pertaining to
the Marketing Executive Assistant position. Also, the candidate’s personality and work
ethic are examined for appropriate fit in the Life is Good Company mission and culture.
IV.
Those applicants that continue on in the selection process after the first interview is
concluded will have their education, work experience, references, background checks,
and any other verifiable attributes confirmed at this time.
V.
Remaining top candidates are then scheduled for a panel interview with management to
conduct specific situational and behavioral description questions to further rule out
applicants.
VI.
VII.
When the top candidate is chosen, the job offer will be officially presented.
Confirm candidate’s acceptance of job offer with management and Marketing Director
and determine start date.
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Required Criteria:
The Human Resource Management department at Life is Good evaluates the following
criteria in selecting potential employees for the Marketing Executive Assistant position.
 Optimistic person with a good sense of humor
 Comfortable fit with LIG culture and mission
 Appropriate education level and work experience
 Excellent industry knowledge, specifically marketing concepts
 Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
 Works well under pressure
 Motivated and thrives in fast-paced environment
 Efficient critical and analytical thinking skills
 Highly organized with superior attention to detail
 Extensive customer service skills including success in handling customer complaints
 Adaptability to project changes
 Good personality fit with Marketing Director
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Training Plan
Training for the Marketing Executive Assistant will depend on where the candidate was
recruited. If the position was filled internally, on-the-job training will suffice since the employee
will be familiar with LIG’s policies and procedures. The Marketing Director is responsible for
choosing the most qualified preceptor and the candidate’s schedule will mirror that of the
preceptor for two weeks with subsequent proficiency testing.
If the employee was selected externally, concurrent training methods will be applied.
Classroom, audiovisual, and computer-based training via LIG’s Intranet, will be scheduled
within the first week of employment followed by two weeks of preceptor OTJ and testing.
Classroom training will begin the new employee orientation. The employee will meet
with HR for necessary paperwork completion such as payroll information, employee benefit
enrollment and review of LIG’s employee handbook. Introduction to company software
programs and multi-line phone system will be demonstrated during this time period. Training
criteria will link with required job tasks so feedback can be given on performance. Campus tours
will be provided to familiarize the employee with facility layout and for staff introductions.
Audiovisual training will be accessed via the company’s Intranet. LIG’s policies and
procedures will be viewed as well as information videos on sexual harassment, cultural diversity
and professional culture/socializaion. Two weeks of OTJ training will be scheduled with a
preceptor followed by proficiency testing to align KSAO’s with job duties and responsibilities.
After successful completion of training, a meeting between the Marketing Executive
Assistant and the Marketing Director will be scheduled to review required expectations. This will
also give the parties time to get acquainted and to start building a professional relationship.
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Performance Evaluation System
One year after the employee’s hire date, a performance evaluation will be given. LIG’s
HR department links job TDR’s and KSAO’s directly to performance objectives and utilizes the
mixed-standard rating scale for their performance management system. Inputs from the
Marketing Director, as well as peer reviews, are taken into consideration regarding overall
performance.
By using statements that describe traits directly related to the employee’s performance,
the HR department scores the attributes by levels from low to high. The sum of scores indicates
how well the employee has performed overall. Some examples of traits assessed are: teamwork,
problem solving skills, marketing knowledge, and quality performance.
Human Resource Managers are careful in deciding which traits are associated with high
performance and defines them accordingly on the evaluation form to ensure results are
quantifiably reliable.
Results of the evaluation will then be discussed with the MEA. If improvement is needed,
recommendations on how to achieve expectations will be given, or additional training will be
scheduled and implemented, if warranted. Merit pay will also be discussed if the employee has
performed beyond expectations.
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Compensation Plan
The compensation package for the Marketing Executive Assistant will be based on
competitive standards within the business industry. Starting base wage will reflect the
employee’s degree of education, industry knowledge and work experience.
60,000
50,000
40,000
Min
30,000
Median
20,000
Max
10,000
0
MEA Salary Ranges
Estimated via www.salary.com
Total Compensation Package
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Medical Insurance (including Vision)
Dental Insurance
Short and Long-term Disability Insurance
Company paid Life and AD&D Insurance
Optional Life and AD&D Insurance
401(k) plan
Merit Pay Incentive Plan
Free, 24-7 Employee Assistance Program
Tuition Reimbursement
10 Company-paid Holidays
Vacation
Personal/Sick Time
Good Vibes Time
Perks
o
o
o
o
o
o
Generous Employee Discounts
Casual Dress Every day!
Gym Membership Reimbursement
Optimistic Laid Back Atmosphere
On-site Gym
Bring your Dog to Work
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Conclusion
Life is Good’s mission is to spread the power of optimism and their business philosophy
is "Do what you like, like what you do”. The corporate culture is hardworking but casual and the
dress code permits not just T-shirts but shorts and flip-flops. As of 2011, LIG’s annual revenue
exceeded 100 million with only 245 employees.
The company has a newly created position available for a Marketing Executive Assistant
that will assist the Marketing Director in the daily operations of the LIG Marketing team. The
position has been custom designed to assist in creating effective marketing strategies resulting in
fulfillment of company goals.
The recruitment will be done both internally and externally starting with the company’s
Intranet and other online job agencies. External postings will be made available through private
employment agencies such as ESF and various colleges or universities. Selection criteria will
pertain to specific TDR’s / KSAO’s and potential candidates will be prescreened by the HR
Department. Three interviews will narrow candidates: initial phone, first interview, and then a
final interview with a panel consisting of management personnel. When it’s established that the
applicant is a perfect fit with the company, the offer will be officially presented.
The training for the selected candidate will be both formal and informal and will be
performed at the LIG campus. Concurrent training methods will be applied. This will include
classroom, audiovisual, and computer-based training within the first week of hire followed by
two weeks of OTJ training with a preceptor and testing. Upon successful completion, the
assistant will meet with the Marketing Director to establish expectations and to get acquainted.
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The performance evaluation is based on a mixed-standard rating scale and is done
annually on the employee’s hire date anniversary. Inputs from the Marketing Director, as well as
peer reviews, are taken into consideration regarding overall performance. The HR department
links TDR’s and KSAO’s directly to performance objectives and compares them to
organizational expectations. The employee’s attributes are scored by levels from low to high and
the sum indicates how well the employee has performed overall.
Results are then discussed with the employee. If the employee has exceeded expectations,
merit pay will be awarded. Offering this type of incentive pay motivates employees to excel at
their job which benefits the company. If an employee feels appreciated for the hard work they
do, they will be optimistic about their job, productivity will continue to rise, and performance
will continue to excel. After all, optimism is the philosophy and culture of Life is Good.
If the employee has not met company expectations and corrective action is required,
recommendations are given on how to improve performance, or if needed, additional training
will be scheduled and implemented.
The compensation package is based on competitive standards within the business
industry. Starting wage will reflect the employee’s degree of education, industry knowledge and
work experience. Salary increases will be based on the employee’s annual performance
evaluation.
The company offers a substantial benefit package with additional perks. Medical
(including vision)/Dental, 401 (k) plan, tuition reimbursement, disability insurance, good vibes
time, and personal/sick time are some examples. The perks align with the laidback atmosphere of
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the company. Some examples are: employee discounts on merchandise, casual dress every day,
gym membership reimbursement, on-site gym, and bring your dog to work.
The Life is Good Company demonstrates their dedication to company philosophy by
providing an optimistic work environment. Offering employees a substantial compensation plan
coupled with numerous perks has given them a competitive advantage over other retail based
organizations. The employees work and live by the philosophy inspired by co-founders, Bert and
Jon Jacobs: to amplify life’s simple pleasures through an optimistic hero with a huge smile
named Jake.
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Works Cited
Company information obtained via: www.lifeisgood.com
Salary information obtained via: www.salary.com (Estimated from Executive Assistant Job
Description Wage Base)
Job Specification material obtained via: www.samplejobdescription.net
Performance Management information obtained via: Noe. Hollenbeck. Gerhart. Wright.
Fundamentals of Human Resource Management. Fourth Edition. McGraw-Hill Irwin.
New York, NY. 2011
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