Too Busy To Innovate

The boss wants innovation. Big ideas. To make the agency famous.

 

The CMO wants thought leadership. To make clients and prospects feel we offer an advantage.

 

The CFO wants me to do my time sheets.

 

The client wants me to revise the PowerPoint and send it over by EOD.

 

The PM wants me to stay within budget do time sheets too.

 

The wife wants me home by 6 so we can make the dinner with friends.

 

The body wants a cup of coffee even though it knows caffeine and sleep don’t play well together.

 

It’s a never-ending, somewhat vicious cycle of want, expectations, and realities. Idealism vs. pragmatism. Reality.

 

Okay, I’m tired. My brain hurts. But I know, in the end, I’ll be measured by the difference between keeping up and staying ahead. The difference between meeting deadlines and providing thought leadership. I have to find a way…

 

I’m not alone.

 

These days, clients, and the business-at-large, want—even demand—that their agency (me) give them ideas that are newsworthy and ‘game changing’ while largely ignoring the realities of how agencies make money. Innovation is the expectation while the bottom line is the noose that most often chokes proactive thinking.

 

Trust me, I’d rather be making ideas than generating quotes and approving project plans but the latter takes up more of my time. I’m just too busy generating revenue to find the time to sit and think.

 

But no excuses…I am paid to make ideas that work, not documents that take work. I have to balance the two demands while finding more time to focus on the focus—ideas.

 

The good news is human nature drives me to do what makes me feel good so I do my busy work during the day and do what I love before and after—think, ideate, invent, explore, challenge, play, dream, envision… Luckily I have a passion to think different. Or just think. Innovative ideas don't happen 9-5 so if one hopes to do well in this business, accept the fact it's as much a calling as a job. More so. And I love it.

"You can manage passion but you can't create it" has always been my litmus test in hiring creatives. If passion isn't there the time sheets will get done but the ideas won't happen. So the answer to the problem is passion. Which leads to a drive that surpasses being too busy to innovate.

 

Now, gotta do those time sheets so I can get back to making ideas that work.

Posted via email from Stephen Speaks's posterous

The Anti-social socialites

The Antisocial Socialites.

 

Walk into any city coffee shop and you’ll see individuals planted in every nook and cranny, faces glued to their laptop, phone, iPad or other. If you walk by casually and steal a glance over shoulders you’ll find the majority are perusing their Facebook, IM’ing, texting, gaming, or checking email—socializing online. Then stop and listen…hardly a sound other than the background noise of barista's barking “Venti non-fat, no foam, no water 6 pump extra hot chai tea latte”.

 

It’s eerily quiet, otherwise, as folks are busy 'socializing' but not talking.

 

Now, go to a small town coffee shop and you’ll be struck by the distinct difference of people gathered in small groups around worn-out tables chatting away to the point it’s difficult to shout your order of “coffee, large.”

 

I’ve been struck by this noticeable difference since relocating to a smaller town but still doing most of my work in the major cities. It’s been enlightening to see the differences between the connected worlds of folks communicating across the world while others only talk across a table.

 

Which leads me to this observation: as society becomes more connected are we actually withdrawing into personal shells and in essence becoming more and more antisocial, while claiming to be more social?

 

It’s an interesting paradox. And somewhat comical when you think about it—the changing of social behavior to wanting to be connected to people but not necessarily be with people. The phenomenon of a greater rate of communication, virtually, while ignoring the age-old patterns of strangers gathering to discuss all things in common, based on local geography, is a defining societal shift. Great debates about politics, religion, social issues, and more have always found a stage in the local hangouts—the public square (bars, coffee shops, the donut shop...). It’s how things got done, how minds were changed, and how society progressed.

 

Now the debate is more polarized by the ability to post articles, place one-way opinions, and spout off with no real dialogue. It’s a lot easier to state an opinion when you can just post a link to an article vs. really understanding the subject and being able to discuss against varied perspectives.

 

Perhaps I digress.

 

I’m just finding it interesting to watch how so-called social spaces are really nothing more than tiny portholes of 30-some character blurts—a veneer of dialogue—a security fence from getting too deep into another’s mind and real personality let alone an informed opinion. Many are ‘socializing’ without ever actually speaking to one another and discussing anything.

 

Next time you’re at any coffee shop, try pulling a chair up next to a complete stranger and see what an actual conversation feels like. You might want to leave the device put away.

Posted via email from Stephen Speaks's posterous

All God's Creatures Have a Place in the Choir

I heard that in a lyric recently. It made me think. 

It made me think about the current state of politics in America--where people spend more time criticizing the views of others than espousing their own beliefs, in the 'public square'. It appears that being a critic is more politically correct, and safer, than stating one's own beliefs. But I can see why--when one does state an opinion and the massese descend on it in critique...well it's a vicious cycle.

The current presidential race is proof of this phenomenon--there is rarely a point-blank listing of positions by a candidate. All of the air time is spent railing on the opponent and how bad they are, or how dangerous they will be if elected. Or in stretching the truth to put a negative spin of misinformation out there to cloud the details of their own record. It's a sad state--and sadder that the majority of voters rely on the media for deciding, for them, who to support.

I don't like it.

This world is an amazing collection of individuals with different experiences and perspectives. We do better when we all discuss the issues fully vs. fighting over them. Instead of fearing diversity we should embrace it and appreciate the exploration of various ideas. We need to discuss and discuss and discuss more--but avoid resorting to personal attacks on the voice, or the person using it. That just leads to states of dictatorship.

America was founded on the belief that every voice had the right to be heard, Sure, it also guaranteed the right of others to voice disagreement--but not to disparage the person as inferior if the perspectives conflicted with there own.

Feel fre to disagree with me, even argue with me...but don't attack my person. 

Posted via email from Stephen Speaks's posterous

Why Cancer Survivors Make Great Employees

In our overly negative society, people most often view cancer fighters, and survivors, with a suspicious bent at work. They question the future--will that person be out a lot, will they get sick during a big project, will they miss a lot of work for treatments, can I depend on them? On and on. Flat out, there's a standing prejudice in the workplace against cancer victims.

But if folks would actually stop and look at the issue, and the person's situation, they'd see that fighters are a superb candidate for overachieving. Face it, anyone who can continue working when faced with mortality and the ongoing difficulties of treatment is one tough individual, and most often tougher than their peers. And highly motivated.

Cancer fighters want to live as 'normally' as before diagnosis and remain valuable, needed, wanted, and successful. The illness is a distraction but does not define the person--or shouldn't. That means they remain committed, even more so, to moving on and living fully. Sure, their perspective is changed and life balance is important, but the fighter is just that--a fighter. And all companies would benefit from embracing that truth and promoting the battle tested individual to lead in other assaults.

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Knocked down but standing.

The ICU doctors asked me and Karen if we had a recessitation order. How many times should they try?

Tears came to my eyes and Karen and I just looked to each other, stunned. It was immediately sobering realizing the severity of my condition.

Backing up just a bit, I was in the hospital after suffering from what had started as fevers and chills and had escalated to a critical blood infection with abscesses in my liver. I was in sepsis. That’s when bacteria invades the blood and basically tells the body to start shutting down. My heart was fluttering, my blood pressure was below 70, I was throwing up, my fever was high and I was shaking uncontrollably.

The ICU doctor thought I was dying. It never occurred to me—I just knew I felt horrible. A few days later, my oncologist told Karen that she’d saved my life—literally—by getting me to the Emergency Room just as my body began failing. I had almost died.

So began a long bad journey from near-death to a removal of 2/3’rds of my liver and 12 weeks of a strenuous recovery. It was horrible from start to finish.

I spent several weeks in the hospital very ill before all of the doctors agreed that the only way to heal the abscesses and blood infection was to remove the sources of the infection. The surgery would be radical—4-6 hours to shave off most of my liver and get rid of all the mess. The remaining liver was healthy and the liver regrows. It was a chance to start over, relatively speaking.

I awoke from the surgery in pain, confused and afraid. My family informed me that the surgery was a success and that while they had my liver exposed they did an ultrasound and found no tumors in the good part of the remaining liver. So it was a great relief. In days I was feeling great—the infection was gone. I was released within a week. Sent home to spend 12 weeks healing from a severe incision that was leaking profusely, returning to eating after having lost 30 pounds, and learning to sleep and walk again. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

Looking back, now, I realize that the hardest part was mental. Sure, the healing was tough. I was completely without energy and could barely make it through a day upright. My wound was open and healing slower than normal. My body was swollen from water retention. I couldn’t sleep. Every day was a battle. But again, the worst part was mental as I had way too much time to wonder if I’d ever be healthy again and resume a life worth living.

Karen drove me hard—she took me on errands and got me to walk. Every trip ended up with me back in the car—I couldn’t last more than 15 minutes. She got me to hold Jonah and out for short walks in his stroller. She fixed up the hammock in the back for me and I laid there for hours soaking up the healing sun. She helped me eat again. She wouldn’t let me lay on the couch all day even though my body longed to. She took me to New Orleans for my brother in law’s triathlon and ‘made’ me enjoy the scenery, odd collection of people, and amazing food. Her efforts paid off—I started gaining stamina, was laughing more, and began to believe there was life yet to live.

Fast forward and here I am working again, riding my Harley, spending time with family, loving Jonah, eating well, painting some, and feeling great—physically and mentally. Life has returned. It was almost as if, at the 12 week mark, I woke up feeling as if I was back to normal. My liver regrew to 95% its original size and my weight was back up to a healthy range. I am sleeping normally. It’s a great life, again.

So, behind me is the pain, the nasty weeping 6 inch incision, the high fevers and excessive vomiting, the lack of energy to stand, the constant digestive issues, the sore joints, and most of the worry. Ahead is life with my loving and supporting family and friends and lots of miles on the bike. With a few good paintings in there too.

Karen saved my life and I am so thankful, even though now she expects me to do chores, lift things, and get up and on with ‘it’. I am blessed.

Posted via email from Stephen Speaks's posterous

The Truth

As many of you know, I have been battling pancreatic cancer for a little over 3 years. I've undergone the Whipple--a 'bitch' of a surgery. A radio-frequency ablation--fairly routine. And a chemo-embolization--like anything with the word chemo associated, not fun. IN between I've spent many weeks in the hospital for side effects, tubes placed, blood diseases, complications, etc. 

Finally, the specialists all agree it's time to remove 2/3 of my liver.

That's the VERY SHORT history. Think TV show "HOUSE" for how it's really been. : )

With that context: Several people along the way have complimented me for being a fighter, brave, a survivor, gracious in my disease, positive in spite of it all, on and on. I appreciate those comments. I'd rather be known for that than being bitter, a defeatest, angry, etc. At the same time those comments have made me think--am I being real? Do people perceive that only because I post when I'm well vs. ill? That I only share the good stuff--since I know most don't want to confront the bad? Am I being honest?

All good questions.

So I thought I'd take a few minutes and tell you some things that perhaps I haven't expressed before. Some that might share more on how I really feel.

Here goes.

Cancer sucks. Having it sucks worse!

I am really mad at cancer right now. I have always been mad that I have it. But in the past few weeks I've seen too many I know newly diagnosed--all people like me. People you'd never expect. Nice people. People who don't deserve the plight, not that anyone does. It's been hit home from another side. I used to 'know of' people with cancer. Now I know too many acquaintances suffering from cancer. It's really pissing me off.

Why does this disease need to be so insidious, so unfair, so belligerent? Why does it affect so many families? Why isn't it being cured? Yeah, I woke up this morning really mad, at cancer. I hate you cancer. I hate you.

I'm not a noble fighter.

So many like to romanticize the idea of a person battling all odds and fighting off death. I don't believe that's 100% accurate. I've found you have little control. Yes, one can think positive, set goals, aspire (to stay motivated), but it's mostly taking a day at a time and hoping the body cooperates. So I don't think of myself as a victorious soldier as much as a stubborn scrapper who does his best to get out of bed every day, that's all. One step, one day at a time. That's all the fighting I can do. I'm not noble.

I'm certainly not positive all the time.

Ask my wife, Karen. She'll tell you how many days she's held me while I bawled like a baby--from fear my grandson would never be able to remember me, or that I'd never be able to enjoy all that I've worked so hard for, or...    Believe me...having this cancer scares me! Especially when the docs keep referring to 'buying time' vs.talking cure. So there are plenty of hours where I lose it and imagine the worst. My days are emotionally draining--hours of tests, consults, specialist after specialist. It wears me down. I have my moments.

I cannot survive on my own.

Wow, first lesson learned: if you're gonna have cancer you need family and friends. A STRONG support network. From a great sis-in-law who sits with me at 5 a.m. just to make sure I get my pain meds. To a daughter who send me pics of my grandson daily to cheer me up. To a son who buys me magazines for the down time. To a wife who bathes me and dresses me so I keep some pride. To a mother who, in spite of her own issues, wants to be with me to make sure I eat and walk. To a niece who babysits the bulldogs so Karen can be with me. To a b-in-law who grills me fresh fish when I am home. I could go on and on.

And having a primary caregiver (what a burden she carries) as my advocate. The docs know to call her. : )  Karen tracks all of my care and keeps the dots connected for me. I couldn't make it without her!

So whenever you imagine I am fighting, consider I have a dynamo behind me, pushing me, encouraging me, holding me. I have family who is here for me. I am not fighting alone. When I'm down they carry me.

I want to live for different reasons now.

I have been talking to friends a lot about, "Making memories instead of accomplishments". It's my new mantra. I no longer live to work. I work to live. (Cliche but true). I work to play. I live more of my family. I spend way more time with them. I appreciate everything. I talk to strangers. I hug people. I cherish small things. My life is way simpler. I live for the memories, not the accomplishments.

These are some of the truths.

Posted via email from Stephen Speaks's posterous

It's no longer good enough!

A Reminder

In my career I’ve learned how tough it often is to instill new ideas into the minds of others. It takes stubborn and repetitive evangelism to promote new ways of thinking. Personally I get a tad frustrated when, after saying something for a year, someone suddenly perks up with their own personal epiphany of the identical thought I’ve been promoting. But hey, if that’s what it takes…

So the subject of this post is about trying, yet again, to get a principle seared in minds. It’s one more reminder to wake up and have ‘your epiphany’ sooner.

The reminder is this: REMEMBER the fact that a fundamental and monumental change has already happened! And this principle MUST be paramount to anything and everything we do relative to marketing, from now on.

Memorize the principle: “It’s no longer good enough to be in front of people. Now, it’s only good enough to be with them!”

Let’s break this down.

“It’s no longer good enough to be in front of them.” Traditional marketing has always taken the form of advertising (to call attention to, in a boastful or ostentatious manner”, dictionary.com). Intrusive placements that shout at people to stop and pay attention. It’s only worked when the ‘target’ altered their mind-path to focus on something thrust in their face. Advertisers have treated people like an ‘in-box’. Just keep bombarding the in-box and hopefully 1% will respond. We’ve known for a long time that the ever increasing consumer control of channels and mediums is erasing the viability of that approach. Shouting intrusively is as effective as screaming at a wall.

“Now, it’s only good enough to be with them.” The recent iPad launch is the best reminder of this new reality. The trend that’s been taking shape for years (phones, Xbox, etc.) is no fad—it’s now a standard. People own and often carry devices with them that connect them at will, to whomever they choose, whenever they choose, wherever they choose, and however they choose. They connect through a multitude of devices and social spaces, private places, and mediums. Face it, they own the on and off switch to almost all media—and frankly, brand relationships.

Being with them means to recognize a consumer’s power, will, choice, control, and to stop shouting! To simply have a conversation. It means being visible, useful, usable, desirable and engaged. It means being aware, active, agile, and relevant in their mediums, channels, and networks of choice. It means NOT being intrusive but ‘there for them’, on demand.

My hero Leo Burnett summed it up well when he inadvertently predicted the power of interactive in saying “Make a friend before you make a sale”. Leo would’ve been a master of this new age…

Now, traditional marketers’ would argue they believe and practice the same—be where the people are. But they still typically take the same old approach—“Let’s place an ad on that iPhone app!” That’s not what I am talking about. Being where they are and with them are two very different things. Just being where they are and trying to capture their attention is very different than being with them in the ways I’ve described. Being visible is only the first step in developing a relationship via a branded interaction.

We can no longer shout ‘at’ a target—we have to relate and interact ‘with’ a customer. After all…they now carry and own the connections, the touch-points. They decide when to turn the button on to connect, or off, or click elsewhere. They decide what they will give their attention to—and when.

Simply put, stop thinking about placements (being in front of them) and focus on building a relationship with them (being with them). Instead of thinking about ‘reach’, think about offering useful ‘branded interactions’. Relational interactions that offer immediate value.

Connectivity and device explosion have fundamentally changed the way we need to think and behave as marketers. We can no longer afford to approach every assignment with the intent of driving traffic to a site. The days of thinking computer, site, and pages are passed. We have to think relative to the new reality of consumer, on-demand, and control. And offer useful, usable, desirable, and engaged branded interactions as they wish, choose, decide, and control.

Duh.

“It’s no longer good enough to be in front of people. Now, it’s only good enough to be with them!”

 

Posted via email from Stephen Speaks's posterous