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Looking for feedback for a Project Management Platform for SMBs, freelancers and Founders
Hi! A friend recently launched a Project Management software called Heycollab - I think it’s pretty cool and like the UI but I’d love to get more feedback - they’re very passionate about the product and would appreciate the help!
https://bit.ly/heycollablaunch
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Hi, I'm leaving Citi in 2 months.It's hard to make this decision. I have an offer from a small startup.In citi, my previous experience was not considered and was reskilled to different tech which is the reason for change.I don't like to exit citi. As I like the company so much.But considering my current knowledge,I am in the middle of the sea.I am afraid now that the new company's offer would be revoked due to this recession?Or can I take back my resignation in citi before the last working day.Is this wise decision?
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How’s RGA for a CW?
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I have seen two kinds of situations. One, like you describe, where every idea anybody has gets put in the deck like throwing spaghetti at the wall. The other, one person is firmly in charge, and is constantly making edits to the deck to keep it tight. Usually there is a strong strategy that leads up to three tight campaigns. I think we all know which is better.
But to answer your question, yes, it is normal. Just not good.
So well said.
Having been in advertising for close to 30 years, I can attest that this is normal. Additionally, I would offer up that despite what others have shared here, it’s a necessary part of the process. As a creative, going through the swirl, turning over every rock, coming at the problem from a new angle is not linear. It’s messy AF. And in order to get to the best outcome, you’ve got to hear inputs from all perspectives. Especially when you have massively fragmented media channels and variables to consider. In the new business pitch setting, this feels like chaos. It’s a pressure cooker. But a good agency should have skilled account, creative, and strategy leaders looking at all those puzzle pieces and threading a needle to get to a cohesive story. Like lots of work, a great pitch comes together the later stages. If you knew the answer right away, you probably haven’t spent enough time with the problem or considered enough inputs. Hang in there. It’s all part of the process.
with 10 business days to deliver a polished pitch, and half of this time being spent by strategists coming up with the most lukewarm “insights”… hard to find time to turn every stone
Typical but not a best practice at all.
Yup
absolutely, in my own experience.
It’s normal. 30 years, and slave deadlines have not changed. Too many steps, and ppl involved. Artists are the ones that suffer.
I've seen it with my own eyes. Unfortunately, it's really common. There are a lot of good suggestions on this thread about keeping things on track. I think the key is having one project manager or producer running the project who is very clear and tasked with being militant about keeping internal milestone deadlines. I would also include anticipated meddlers early in the process so they are less likely to sabotage efforts at the end.
Every pitch is crazy. People genuinely trying to do the right thing. People saying stuff just to justify their job. Egos running rampant. Just try to stay focused on what you are tasked to do. The more complex things seem, the more you need to simplify them. Hang in there!
Ha try being the only AD on a team and working with a CD who only gives input when it benefits them. Usually this happens at the final hour of any project and the work has to be looked at over until THEY are now satisfied. Make it make sense!
Where are the guard rails? Where is the protection of worker time and agency/client resources?
The one thing I am SO done with is bending irrationally to client demands (and even short-sighted ego-driven diva/divo creative leaders).
Clients hire agencies for a reason, because of expertise. Clients may sign the checks, but shouldn’t run the work, that’s why they hire the agency.
I’ll bet for the most successful agencies and studios who win the “real awards” (aka Cannes, Clio, D&AD) they won’t work with certain clients. They have, and vigilantly protect, a reputation for putting out quality work. Quality comes from protecting the way you work, and being WILLING to lose the client who’s not on the same page.
Putting out compromised work will not garner a reputation worth protecting. And will not attract the kind of clients to truly partner with for great work.
Wish more agencies appreciated this.
This is how you move from “order taker” to “recommendation maker” and attract further quality work clients and opportunities. I’ve never understood the practice of caving to a client to earn more trust “next time”. It only trains the client to know they can have their way.
On the contrary, principle and conviction backed by experience and repeated successes will earn you respect, so you can continue to lead the work, as you should.
Professional integrity and standards—which don’t come cheap—require courage and sacrifice, and take time to cultivate but may bring greater sanity to advertising.
I'm within spitting distance of retirement, and boy oh boy oh boy will I not miss this crap.
quite normal ,I hate to say. Especially in big agencies , so many seniors focusing on commenting/expressing
Sounds pretty normal to me.
Yup