Uncategorized Archives - Page 9 of 10

Just got off the phone with a client of mine … Our conversation was very candid – we spoke of things that each of us did well on a recent promotional effort and, more importantly, things that we both frankly could have done (much) better. What I found out from the client was that he completely understood the volume of work I had done for him and he commended me for taking that on. He truly appreciated (and again, understood) the amount of blood, sweat and tears I put in on his behalf. That being said, he also thought that I could have done better. How would I have known that? Well, if I had taken the time out of my busy week to hop on a quick 15 minute phone call and ASK HIM what he thought of the promotions I was delivering on his behalf. Now, don’t get this confused. The client believed that I could have done more for him – not that I had left him/her hanging or “screwed him/her over” in any way — but simply that I could have done better. Now, I could have easily brushed this individuals comments off as “Well, he/she doesn’t know any better. That’s why they hire ME – I’m the expert!” But when I took some time to reflect upon our conversation in more detail, I realized he was completely right. Think of the client in terms of a victim (an over exaggeration, yes i know). Nobody knows they have hurt somebody until a victim shows up and lets them know that whatever they did was wrong and hurtful. The VICTIM is the wounded party. The victim could potentially be YOUR CLIENT. If you felt victimized in any way, shape or form during a business transaction, would you recommend your vendors services to anybody else you know? Would you put your reputation on the line to tell your friends and colleagues, “Go with MJK, LCC, that guy REALLY knows how to not deliver on his promises and leave you in a jam. Whattta guy!” No way in hell. If you want to grow your own business based on referrals (which I have found are the easiest way to land new biz), then you have to leave your clients with a good taste in their mouth. Even if you don’t deliver the greatest product around, there are many considerations to take into account: Insufficient time to deliver a premium product Your price model was perfect for what they needed done Etc etc etc etc If you continuously communicate with your client, you’ll know about all these extraneous circumstances beforehand and will know that they are: a) okay with it, or b) think they’ll never work with you again Either way, you will know what it is that your client is thinking and be able to prepare yourself accordingly to end the relationship on a high note. But if you leave a client with a shitty taste in their mouth, they will only stick around long enough to find someone else to replace your services. Let’s circle back to our original point: Do yourself a favor and talk to your client(s) on a regular basis. It doesn’t even have to be very specific. If you approached your client with a simple, open ended question like “How do you think this is going?” or “What is this missing”, any issues that your client has with your work would come up in an organic and positive way. They would HELP YOU DO YOUR JOB BETTER by telling you WHAT THEY WANT. Avoid victimizing your clients in any way, shape or form. Trust me: You’ll be glad you didn’t in the long...

Time: Your Most Valuable Resource

By Mike on Feb 26, 2011 | 2 comments

It’s taken me 23 years to find out what the most valuable resource in the whole entire world is: TIME! Look at some of the more valuable resources known to mankind: Oil: I get it — Prices of oil are rising and the natural supply that this planet offers continues to dwindle. Problem? Well, yes …. But there is a solution that is rising in popularity (*ahem* — stage right) that operates on other energy sources. Money:Money comes and goes — just ask those geniuses from Enron who were embezzling so much cash they literally ran out of mattresses to hide it under. Power: This example could not be any more relevant at this point in time; commanding power is not a permanent resource and can be taken from the oppressor. This was first seen in 2006 with the execution of Saddam Hussein. Four years later, organized masses are leading revolutions across the globe, toppling dictators from Egypt to Dijibouti. THERE IS NO WORKAROUND FOR GATHERING TIME! You can drive a hybrid car to avoid using gas — eat cheaper food to conserve money — or lead a revolution to forcibly take over a nation. But there is no way to recuperate your time. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. There is no way to make up for it, use a workaround to avoid using it or generate additional sources of it. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. Maybe it’s time to sit down and consider exactly how you are using your time. It’s your most valuable resource: You CAN’T AFFORD NOT TO take a look at how you spend your...

Moving on up!

By Mike on Dec 22, 2010 | 0 comments

Just wanted to give everybody a heads up and let them know that I was (officially) hired full time at WONGDOODY today, the ad agency I have been interning at for the past six months. It’s been a long road, and I’ve learned a LOT along the way and am excited to face the new challenges that this position brings. Apologize for the brevity of this post. Life has thrown me more things than I can possibly finish, so for now this will have to do. Reach out if you have any questions!

Big Move: Los Angeles to Seattle

By Mike on Oct 13, 2010 | 0 comments

After spending an unforgettable summer in Los Angeles, I’ve made the transition back to where I grew up: the great Pacific Northwest. I hopped on the 10 (Interstate 10) at approximately 12 noon on a Monday and nearly 1,400 miles later pulled into Pullman, Washington, a little about 2 o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday. Spending a week with my girlfriend and friends was a great interlude to continuing my internship at WONGDOODY Seattle, the place where it all began for the Wong and the Doody. I drank beer, laughed ’til my side hurt and completely set aside anything that I couldn’t see in my immediate vicinity. After my Pullman trip, it was back to where it all began for me: Seattle. I couldn’t believe how clean the air was, the smell of wet grass after a heavy rain and the way that everything was so GREEN. So glad to be back in Seattle. It will forever and always be the place that I call home. Where I will tell people that I grew up. Looking forward to getting acquainted, once again, with the city where it all began for...

Mario In China

By Mike on Aug 6, 2010 | 3 comments

In this edition of The Bewildered Traveler we sit down with Mario, a native German and seasoned traveller who will tell us about an experience where he was travelling in China. It all begins with Mario quitting his job. The next logical move? “I decided to backpack through China,” he said with a smile. This particular story details Mario being deceived by a pair of elderly Chinese con men (and no, it was not the Ying Yang Twins). Who knew two old men could con such a crafty German like Mario? We definitely...

Sydney – From Italy to Spain

By Mike on Jul 11, 2010 | 0 comments

…video installments on “The Bewildered Travler”, we interview a young woman by the name of Sydney who lives in Los Angeles, CA. Sydney tells a story about trying to take the train from Rome to Barcelona and the disastrous situation that unfolded. This is her story. Dun Dun! (Law & Order SFX)