BBC Blog
SUMMER HOURS: They Aren't Over Are They?
Submitted by Valerie Donati on Tue, 09/07/2010 - 03:00Not at Brand Building. Why? Because we can. Seriously, when summer ends so does the fun, at least according to popular wisdom. The sun starts to set earlier, chilled wine is replaced by hot tea and jeans assume the role short shorts have enjoyed for months. It's sad, really. But there is one summer tradition that we've decided to pull through the rest of the year - summer Fridays.
In summer, especially in the Northeast, summer Fridays are a tradition. Some companies make their employees work an extra hour a day so they can have Fridays off. Some give their employees 1 or 2 Fridays a month off, or half day starts at 2PM. At our office half days start at 12PM, every Friday.
Summer hours usually run Memorial Day through Labor Day, but this year we started 3 weeks early. Everyone was ready for a break, so why not? There was on one stipulation, be on time. Several people were late that first Friday. I wasn't a happy boss. Lol.
Well, we're officially at the end of the summer Friday season, and since the team was looking a little bummed, this team member included, we've decided to extend! We're going to split the office and each month each team gets 2 "winter" Fridays.
Winter Fridays. We like it!
BUSINESS TRAVEL IS NO FUN: Even When It Is
Submitted by Valerie Donati on Wed, 09/01/2010 - 03:00I'm blessed. In my career business travel has generally been to places like Los Angeles, Paris, and London... I'm usually traveling with a brand that stays in excellent hotels. We fly nicely too. There have been trips that included a California road trip on the back of an Indian motorcycle, an invitation to the Academy Awards, a journey through the Loire Valley to poke around old castles, a night at The Royal Albert Hall where we watched the new Bond film with the Queen Of England. Not bad, right?
Well, I am here to say it's not bad, definitely. In fact, it can be quite spectacular, but it's still business travel and it can kick you in the behind. When I went to the Academy Awards I was so burnt out from a week of pitching the media I couldn't WAIT to get out of there. The thought of the Governor's Ball and the Vanity Fair party made me want to scream. At the VF party I asked my date if I could cruise. He didn't care, the place was jammed with celebs and that's pretty much what he had come to see. At the door, photographer Patrick McMullen asked where I was going; he couldn't believe I was leaving. I didn't hear his protests; I was running down the block trying to grab a cab, no mean feat in LA.
Anyway, all this is to say that business travel can be a drag even when its not. I am SUPER thankful for all I've been given, all the trips and all the experiences. But you know, I'd sure like to get on a plane and just be going somewhere fun to see someone I like (or maybe with someone I like) and not have to be preparing for meetings, meetings and more meetings. I'm not really complaining, I'm just saying... Lol
HOLLYWOOD: You Capricious Old Lady
Submitted by Valerie Donati on Tue, 08/31/2010 - 03:00
Our agency often leverages Hollywood on behalf of our clients. Diamonds and gowns on the red carpet plus great press coverage can go a long way toward putting a brand on the map and keeping them there. Of course, to use this platform you have to work the "system" and let me tell you that can be no fun. In fact, on most days it can be the opposite of fun - what's that word? Work.
Hollywood is fickle, capricious and a downright moody lady. One day she loves you, the next she's totally forgotten your name. Just when you think you're in, you're out. A yes is most often a no, but you won't know that until it's too late (ca Here are a few simple rules we've found helpful when navigating Hollywood's turbulent waters:
Here are a few simple rules we've found helpful when navigating Hollywood's turbulent waters:
1) Never push, you look desperate. It's better to let something go than ruin your fragile reputation.
2) If it seems too good to be true it most certainly is, no exceptions...
3) Keep those relationships live - graft works!
4) If they want what you have you'll know it because (drum roll) they want it! You'll see the difference when you're trying to pawn off something they don't want...
5) Everything takes a LOT longer than you think it will, so buckle up it's going to be long, bumpy ride...
Ok, just some thoughts, use them wisely!
TIME MANAGEMENT: I Have It — Not!
Submitted by Valerie Donati on Wed, 08/25/2010 - 03:00Well, it’s not entirely true that I don’t know how to manage my time. I do get things done. I do know how to get other people to get things done. But no matter how much gets done I’m not convinced it is A) Done the best possible way B) Enough – enough things done, that is...
The deal is, time is a finite asset. It sure will be cool when we can bend time, and that day is surely coming. It’s called the end of time when time doesn’t matter anymore. I’m actually looking forward to that day. I’ll be dead by the time that happens, but I’m hoping to make a comeback...Ok, where are all these existential musings going? Who knows, who has the time to tell.
So, in our business time isn’t just an asset, it’s a commodity. And I can assure you there is NEVER enough of it. My new concept around time management is “if you can’t get it done, you can’t get it done.” When you’re doing specific things for clients “I didn’t have time for that” will never work very well. So, the best solution we’ve come up with in our agency (and I borrowed this from a past client) Fewer, Bigger, Better. This helps as a filter. If the client wants More, More and More they had better be ready to pay for it.
So, time management. Honestly, if someone has a great solution please share because I’m not convinced anyone knows what they’re doing in this arena. It’s a slippery beast, time is. Just when you think you have enough of it, it slips away. Here’s what I think, do the best you can to enjoy the time you have while you have it. And make sure you appreciate those around you while you’re at it BECAUSE based on the way things go you don’t know how much time you’ll have with them — and your people are MUCH more important than time.
EMPLOYEES: Do They Really Need You?
Submitted by Valerie Donati on Tue, 08/24/2010 - 03:00Ok, if you want to scale your business you really don’t want your employees to need you that much. Bottom line, if they need you, aka, can’t make a move without you, you’re in deep pooh. Look around, survey the landscape, this it is, this little slice of business heaven. You will never grow, expand, move onward and upward. BUT that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt a little, especially if you’ve been part of the training process. Everyone wants to be needed, at least most people. I always thought I did until the needing got a bit much. That, however, is usually just growing pains. Every major shift requires a tug, then you break free, people fly and you do too, onto the next challenge. It’s part of the game. If you don’t have the stomach for the rollercoaster you may as well not ever get into this thing called business.
I had two of my top people jump ship last winter for greener pastures. Hey, it happens. No hard feelings, I have a tremendous amount of respect for them both. But, of course, this meant my job just got a bit harder, because instead of hiring above my AE level gals we decided to promote from within. One of the VPs who left was an EXCELLENT manager (I get teary-eyed just thinking about her skill, she’s going to be a great mother one of these days). Now, I had to get in and fill her shoes AND run my business and boy that wasn’t fun. But good news, the ladies were up for the challenge, the heavy training is over and they don’t need me nearly as much anymore. Yes, it makes me sad, but glad too. And they are doing amazing things! Hey, in the end, it’s better to have someone want you than need you anyway. Lol.
MEETINGS: What Are They Good For?
Submitted by Valerie Donati on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 03:00 
Ok, that's a silly question, isn't it? Meetings. What are they good for? Well, for meeting. Together. Finding consensus, making a plan. Nice idea. If only it worked better.
I was first exposed to the culture of "meeting" early in my career, but it reached a shocking crescendo when I was working for one of the world's largest beauty brands. I felt SO sorry for their employees. It was one meeting after another, after another, and so on. Question: when was any actual work getting done? All head and no body makes for an extremely lopsided configuration.
I vowed that I would not create the culture of "meeting" in my own business. It didn't start out that way. Back when I was a division of a larger company our "staff" meetings could last all day. Brutal, and quite frankly stupid. Today, they are generally quick and to the point - as long as I'm not leading them (not really true, but mostly).
Truth is I like a good meeting. It's super important for providing vision and creating direction. But one meeting after another doesn't really get you anywhere.
My staff is not the biggest proponent of the meeting and I've learned to flow with this. We do quickies on the go and bigger ones once in a while and voila! It all happens.
So, meetings. Obviously, they're necessary. My suggestion: keep them organized by knowing what you want them to accomplish before you show up. And make sure there is a nice list of next steps with clear deadlines by the end. Then a meeting has a purpose. And that's the purpose of a meeting, after all. Lol.
The Kids Are All Right
Submitted by Valerie Donati on Tue, 08/17/2010 - 03:00So, I'm 47 years old and have never had any children. I have lots of kids in my life, and I'm good with them. It's not as if I'm some Auntie Mame that never really wanted to deal with the little creatures. Details of my life conspired against me in this arena, but it's all ok. I like and respect the little friends and they seem to feel the same way about me.
But no kids brings up something in an office where I'm old enough to be just about everyone's mother. What is that something? It's that over arching feeling that you ARE their mother. Motherhood may not be your destiny but it will find you, in some form or fashion.
Look, the amazing people that work for and with me do not need or want a mother. It's just the weird and inevitable phenomena that accompanies someone that has, by and large, a nurturing spirit. So, on a daily basis I try to balance the "I'm older than you and know best and want to protect you from the pitfalls of life" (lol) with sound management.
How do I do that?
1) Remember what it was like when I had to answer to someone who always felt like they knew more than I did (boring and deflating)
2) Remember, sadly, that they are LIGHT YEARS more mature than I was when I was their age
3) Remember that boundaries are CRITICAL for good management no matter how "creative" the environment
4) Remember that after all, what they really want is a fair boss and a raise
Working on the raise. Lol!
