It’s a cliche in the creative industry that clients tend to want the Ferrari but are only willing to pay for the Hyundai, too often it’s very true. That scenario is where being great at client education plays a key role. Finding the balance to deliver on expectations of both parties while living within constraints can make or break a relationship or project. Typically a solid compromise can be agreed to that is beneficial for everyone. That said, I just ran across this hilarious video via Twitter @jeffrey that pokes fun at the whole scenario. It’s rather true, kinda sad for our industry and you need to watch it now.
“It’s only 12 dollars at the Taco Stand, Sir we are not the Taco Stand”
I ran across this great post “Client Types as Big Lebowski Characters” that compares clients to one of my favorite movies. What more can I say…“You want a toe? I can get you a toe, believe me.”-Walter
The Nihilists: “We don’t care, we still want the money.” Details are unimportant, they are just after a final product. They’ll come to you with what (in their minds) is a million dollar idea for a website without doing any market research or even looking into how it will be accomplished. Most likely, they’re strategy is less than sound, so beware: no one wants to have to cut off a toe. Full post is here.
I ran across these beautiful slides by Mike Kus from Future of Web Design (FOWD) conference in London last week. MP3’s from the event can be found over at Carsonified.
It’s not breaking news that email, IM, collaborative apps, social tools, etc. have revolutionized our personal and work life. These tools have allowed us to become more connected than we have ever been. In contrast, this same technology has allowed us to easily remove personal/emotional connection out of our communication. By taking out the person—the emotion—these tools of communication can be abused, and as the below video states, start fights. We have all read messages that should not have been written, were too long, offensive, confusing, or just a waste of time. The medium was plainly not relevant to the type of communication. Along those lines, we have all worked with non-verbal type people that rely solely on email and the like as the only tool for conversation. The combination of a poor communication medium choice paired with a non-verbal communicator can pose a big problem in a team environment. Ongoing, it can be detrimental to success.
That being said, in a team environment people need to be able to communicate and articulate regardless of the medium. Too much can be lost and misunderstood in an email or project management app alone. Ultimately a phone call or face-to-face chat can always be the most effective option in my opinion. It can bring clarity, simplicity and understanding to many issues, especially if it involves conflict resolution or an imperative issue.
I ran across a great video titled “Why Email Starts Fights” that illustrates the point further. It’s a solid take on how email alone can lead to communication breakdowns and a few tips to make sure that does not happen. Here is a quote from the video to set the stage. Dr. Albert Mehrabian says, “Only 7 percent of what we say is conveyed through words — tone and visual cues make up the other 93 percent. This is why emails are so often misunderstood”.
It’s obviously a given that there is a time and place for email and online communication the majority of the time works just fine, yet there is definitely a time to forgo it. Thus I think it’s important to take a minute to determine the relevant communication medium before you type. Yes, I’m as guilty as the next guy in making the wrong call, yet it’s good practice to always ask yourself a few simple questions on the fly to determine if an email, online or live conversation is best suited for the situation.
Can the message be communicated more productively another way?
Does the conversation involve conflict?
Is the importance factor high or immediate?
Will it take you longer to write the message vs. a quick chat?
Is there a more effective way to the desired outcome?
If you answer yes to any of the questions, ditch the keyboard and make a call or have a face-to-face conversation. And if you don’t have the family jewels to say something face-to-face, don’t email it, tweet it or write it. Of course online communication is imperative, efficient, part of our lives and all communication mediums have their place.
My point is that we need to remember that in-person communication will always and still plays an immediate role to the success of businesses, teams, projects and relationships. Good communication means not soley resorting to non-verbal mediums. Once you think about the content you may find an in-person chat may be the most effective avenue, or maybe not. Either way, the medium should be relevant to the type of communication and information or simply, take a medium relevant communication approach. You will be more efficient, understood, and respected.
A List Apart published their findings from their annual survey of people who are involved in making websites. A List Apart say’s, “This year’s findings paint a clearer picture of the distinctions between full-time and freelance web professionals: how you work, what you earn, and what you love about the job. Interestingly, too, despite the brutality of a global recession that was already in full swing (like an axe) when we offered the survey, most respondents revealed a surprisingly high level of job security, satisfaction, and confidence in the future.”
It’s worth pursuing through the findings for a bit of insight into the pulse of the industry and the people that make it all happen. You can browse the findings here.
Balsamiq Review Review of online wireframing tools in general and interesting conversation to follow. Link
Beginners Guide to IA A helpful simple introduction to the discipline of Information Architecture. Link
SXSWi Podcasts In case you missed it, SXSW Interactive podcasts from the panels are being put up slowly here. I plan to post a recap of the conference soon as well.
