the other job
In addition to my full-time job, I still work part-time for my family’s business. A few weeks ago, a new brochure design got passed around via e-mail: the CEO had enlisted a professional to help, and the result was pretty boring and amateur. Especially with today’s technology, I was very surprised.
I submitted some suggestions, not getting over-involved because of other commitments. E-mails between me and the CEO crossed e-mails between her and the professional; end of story: a very pathetic final draft.
It was 10:30 at night and I was looking at the e-mailed version: washed out, plain layout, ugly color scheme. I started thinking. Of course, this was in the middle of last week’s verbal assaults at my regular job, so I really needed to rest. But nonetheless, my brother and I tossed around ideas and got the owner (my dad) to listen.
Yesterday we had a meeting, at 8 p.m., complete with a PowerPoint presentation and two rather attractive mock-ups. The company is using our design/text/idea, and it will be printed this week or next.
I’ve learned a lot from this experience.
1) Face-to-face is much easier than e-mail. Less chance of a mixed signal or unintended tone.
2) Preparation goes a long way, and you’d be surprised at what hard work can accomplish.
3) Teamwork makes all the difference. My brother used Pages, on his Mac, which I didn’t have access to and didn’t know how to use. He’s a natural.
4) A job well done is so satisfying (OK, I knew that already. Maybe that’s why this was fun in the first place.)
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2 Responses to “the other job”
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Yes Yes Yes
I have just started a small company myself, so I really appreciate your comments. And like you, I spend a lot of time off in a corner, creating.
Yes on face to face. Wide halls. Most of the work gets done while passing one another and in “casual” conversations.
Yes Teamwork. We used to have something other than business conversations, but this is so much “fun” that we rarely discuss anything else. I miss the days when I had time to complain about things.
Thanks… Linda
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