It s a shame I've been sitting on this book for about two years now. A friend of mine gave me Never Eat Alone , by Keith Ferrazzi a couple years ago (thanks Rey), and it s been on my bookcase ever since. It was resting there not because I didn't want to read it, but because I already had so many others in the pipeline. I finally got around to reading it last month and I definitely recommend it. In very simple terms, Ferrazzi explains why networking is important and how to do it. From how to make call lists to planning dinners to personal branding to goal setting, it s all here. He also maintains a valuable blog .
Inevitably there will be times when you have setbacks or things don t go your way. Maybe you didn't get a job you thought you were sure to get. Maybe you lost a job unexpectedly, didn't win a contract, or lost a major client. Your car always seems to break down right after you've had some other unexpected expense. These kinds of situations immediately place us in crisis. They don t feel good, but sometimes they re what we need in order to grow. The beautiful thing about crises is that they force us to take a step back and reevaluate what s going on in our lives and rediscover what we truly want and need. When we get over that initial shock and feeling of disappointment, we might realize that maybe that job wasn't really the best for us anyway. Maybe, just maybe, that wasn't what you really wanted to spend your life doing. Maybe that friend was holding you back instead of pushing you forward. The way I deal with crises of these sorts is simple: If something doesn't go my way professionally, I try to create a situation that would be more rewarding than the situation originally planned. A while ago, I was offered a job that looked very promising. After I accepted the offer, they pushed the start date back three times, later informing me (via e-mail) that they wanted to bring me on in the near future but I should feel free to explore other options. I was extremely disappointed. I felt disrespected and angry, but decided to make the best of the situation and follow my dream of working internationally. I then flew to Santiago, Chile and had great professional and personal experiences I wouldn't have had otherwise. Later, reflecting back on the original opportunity, I realized that working for a company that avoids a start date three times and then can t pick up the phone to explain the situation is probably not where I need to spend my time. Use setbacks as an opportunity to put your goals in order and act on them. In the moment, it s difficult to look at a setback as temporary, but they are. They happen to everybody. It s how you respond to them that will determine how they affect you.
Pereira & O’Dell, Advertising Age’s 2010 Small Agency of the Year, asked their employees one question that helped create their phenomenal success: “How do you feel the agency is doing, and what might make it better?” The agency opened their doors in 2008. In the span of two years, the company has gone from conception to one of the premier smaller agencies in the nation.
P.J. Pereira and Andrew O’Dell are leaders in the advertising world because they are leaders in the office. Asking your employees for innovative ways to become better involves the entire team and instills a feeling of community ownership. When people feel involved and appreciated they produce fantastic results. Case in point – Pereria & O’Dell. Congratulations guys and keep up the good work!
San Antonio designers and art lovers can celebrate the inauguration of its very own AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts), the professional association for designers. Although Austin, Dallas, and Houston have had their chapters for some time, design professionals in San Antonio didn’t have a place to call home until very recently.
To raise money, they are hosting one of the coolest fundraisers I’ve ever heard of. Munny Maker, will take place at 6:30 p.m. CST on Saturday, August 14, 2010 at the Finesilver Building in San Antonio, and proceeds will benefit the new chapter. Designers have been tasked with creating a munny doll to be auctioned during the event, which will include hors d’oeuvres and beverages. It looks like it will shape up to be an interesting event. Tickets are $5 for AIGA members and students, $10 pre-sale, and $15 at the door. Maybe I’ll see you there. Peace.
More Information:
Munny Maker Fundraiser Website