Antidote for a Case of the Mondays
November 10, 2010
With so much going on in an industry that seems to develop on a daily basis, it can be easy at times to lose site of the ‘task at hand.’ This can be a good thing and a bad thing. The bad aspects of it need no explanation. A way to look at this problem, on the bright side, is that it likely means your company has a lot on its plate and is very busy. Ultimately, arguing that there is downside to being too busy, negates the reason to have an active ‘sales’ team who is out there trying to get business on a constant basis. And that’s a key component to a successful business; stay busy, stay productive, be awesome, and make millions. In between these 4 basic, and easily obtainable, steps there needs to be a properly manicured system to keep everyone on the proper path, destined for greatness.
Organization is something that is sometimes easier said than done, especially in the digital industry. Cliche, right? Well it’s true in this case, I swear. So what can be done to help a group of digital geniuses keep there head on straight that does not involve a Dunkin Donuts coffee or a super powered energy drink? Upon returning to the office on Monday morning, it’s crucial to get everyone back on track as quickly and effectively as possible. A wise man once told me, “Extra movement is time and time is money.” While this did relate to my 60 yard dash time in baseball, I think it can be used here as well. Time is money, so let’s get on track.
A Monday morning status meeting can be held in many formats and last for as long as you may wish, but in the end, it’s there to solve one main purpose; getting the team on track to pick up where they left off. Establish your list of ‘To Dos’ for the week, and break it down further in to days and even hours if that’s possible. Discuss potential leads that need to be contacted, and strategies on how you’re going to format your most recent RFP. Plan out what must be done and make sure the proper parties are on the same page. But keep in mind, talking about it is not the same as doing it. Set up a place where this is all documented and can be accessed by the team throughout the week (Google Docs, for example), checking off different milestones that have been reached and communicating what step they are working on at any given time. 20 minutes of productivity at its finest, and if there’s an opening, take the time to sneak in a quick jab at the junior designer who may have had a rough Saturday night. But remember, time is money.
Aloha! It is my pleasure to announce the launch of the 