collaboration

There are times when I find solace tinkering with design and copy details in my role as a creative director. I find that precision sows a mindful state. While paying great attention to details is essential, there is something equally practical to consider during every phase of a project: the end goal. Author and marketer Seth Godin aptly offered an example of moving beyond project details in a recent blog post by stating: “I’m pretty...

• Share on Facebook
• Share on LinkedIn

I recently had the honor of being a judge for a national design competition. Each design submission I reviewed in my assigned category included an array of elements such as imagery, font usage, color palettes, headlines and body copy, and the graphic design that pulled it all together. I found one tiny but crucial thing missing … something can be set in a font as small as 7-point … and something that can be a...

• Share on Facebook
• Share on LinkedIn

A young professional friend, Jen, works in a large enterprise. Jen told me how an interim manager from an unassociated department requested major rework done on a 60-page standard document that her team had submitted for approval. This request left the team stunned as the requirement seemed ill-considered. Jen admits she and her team came away from the meeting not fully understanding what the revisions for the document should be. A panicky feeling fell over...

• Share on Facebook
• Share on LinkedIn

Creating successful content marketing takes creativity and skill, and it takes adhering to an established production schedule so that deliverables are timely. A production schedule lays out the workflow for team members by directing them how and when to work on a project, motivating everyone through deadlines. In whatever way you meet a deadline—either by completing your task a few days ahead of plan, or up against it thriving on eleventh-hour adrenalin—you also have to...

• Share on Facebook
• Share on LinkedIn

Since nobody would allow me to bend the wires to create sad and happy human profiles on their $10M+ quantum computer, I had to turn to a manipulated photography solution. The “profile” wires and end caps were purchased at a hardware store, bent and photographed. That image was then integrated with a stock photograph of a real quantum computer and colorized to matchy-match the other wires. Are you watching the Peacock channel’s hit Yellowstone? (Truthfully,...

• Share on Facebook
• Share on LinkedIn

“Creativity is the magical human act of doing something that might not work. If you know it’s going to work, then it’s management.” —Seth Godin A tattered official notice from the local fire department tacked to a wall stated a maximum capacity of 130 people were allowed in the darkish restaurant. Included in that headcount would be the few waitstaff bustling by tables filled with strangers seated elbow-to-elbow, and the musicians readying to entertain us. Established...

• Share on Facebook
• Share on LinkedIn

Beyond the worry, fear and suffering caused by the pandemic, people have managed to remarkably change directions in their personal and professional lives, demonstrating great resiliency. Take a step back from the flurry of pandemic-time workplace changes to notice how your coworkers are able to quickly set aside best-laid plans when current products or services aren’t meeting the needs of the market.  Pre-pandemic, a change of direction would likely be identified and resolved at a slower...

• Share on Facebook
• Share on LinkedIn

I occasionally am asked how to break into any field, but especially writing and editing. The referrals come from those who know my work and my track record. I wanted to share some of that advice with anyone pursuing a creative field. These practices and guiding principles worked for me whenever I job hunted. And, they apply to anyone regardless of their stage in life. Do your best, knowing some days will be more challenging...

• Share on Facebook
• Share on LinkedIn