Tala Cook is managing director at Alt, a Glasgow-based creative media and digital marketing agency.
Having spent five years working at the agency, Tala Cook currently specialises in social media and digital marketing and has overseen ALT’s work with clients that include UEFA, Linn Products and The Dalmore.
From lucky breaks to failures, she shares all the lessons she’s learnt across her life and career so far…
Which single daily habit or practice could you not do without?
My 30 minute-ish ‘warm up’ in the morning before getting into my first task, I like to sit with a coffee and my emails, catch up on things and map out my day. Even more important in a busy day of meetings.
What’s been your luckiest break?
Joining ALT in its very early stages, when it was just getting started in 2019. It was a very different business at the time, in its infancy, and I had no idea what it would or could become. It was a bit of a leap of faith for me and definitely required imagination, but I believed wholeheartedly in the vision that co-founders David & Laura Haggerty had for the business. Something told me it was going to go somewhere amazing. In turn, they believed in me and put their faith in me with a directorial position when I was only 28, which I grew into with their support and guidance. I’ve never looked back!
What’s your best failure?
Starting a freelance business before I joined ALT. I had always wanted to try it, and it felt like the right time for me to do it. But I quickly learned just how much I thrive being part of a team and bouncing off others, and that I do my best work in that way. It wasn’t a good fit for me, I don’t make a good lone wolf. I’m glad I was aware enough to realise freelancing may not be the best professional fit for me. Ultimately, that realisation meant that when the opportunity to join ALT came up, I jumped at it. It’s worked out pretty well.
What is the best investment you’ve ever made, either financial or time?
Taking the time to learn to cook properly. What started as a desire to be a bit more practical and sustainable by making things myself has turned into my favourite hobby. I love trying new recipes every week, if someone’s making it on TikTok, I’m trying it.
Which podcast or book would you recommend others to read and why?
I’m a huge fan of the podcast This American Life. There’s a particular episode called ‘129 Cars’ that I think anyone who has to do any type of selling or pitching in their job should listen to. The episode follows a car dealership in Long Island as they race to meet their monthly quota, and follows the individual stories of each person working there and the ups and downs as they make and lose sales. I don’t want to give it away, it sounds boring, but I promise you won’t be able to switch it off!
What one piece of advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
That it doesn’t matter if you aren’t clear on what you want from your career, or even what that career is, at such a tender age! I’d also tell 21-year-old me to keep being curious. Keep trying new things and new projects until you find the thing that sticks.
Who or what has had the single biggest influence on your working life?
My late mum. She ran a GP practice and health centre, a wildly different professional background to mine, but I always loved how respected she was by her team. She had a supportive management style and she could sort through any curve ball that was thrown at her at work in a cool manner. I often catch myself saying things at work now and going “that sounded like my mum!” so I hope I’m turning into her. Comparing me to my mum would be the greatest compliment anyone could pay me.
Tell us something about you that would surprise people.
Up until I left school I wanted to be a novelist. I love books, but in particular classic fiction.
If there was one thing you could change about your career, what would it be and why?
I honestly don’t think I would – even in the roles I’ve had that I didn’t enjoy as much, I’ve grown from them, gained new experience, or I’ve met people through working with them that have become important to me in my professional or non-work life. It’s all been a melting pot of experiences that has got me to where I am now.
What does success look like to you?
Being part of a team at ALT that looks after its people, is great at what it does, and is forward-thinking in its outlook. Those things mean more to me than any individual success metrics.
