I came accross an article that outlines at a high-level mantra that Google claims to employ with how they do business.
I loved the points made & gained even more respect for Google based on these points – until I read another article that trashed Google & had some pretty valid arguments against their claims of “innovation” – but I will save that article & discussion for another blog post. The focus here should be on what one of the most successful companies in the world lives by.
- Have_a_mission_that_matters
- Think_big_but_start_small
- Strive_for_continual_ innovation, not_instant_perfection
- Look_for_ideas_everywhere
- Share_everything
- Spark_with_imagination, fuel_with_data
- Be_a_platform
- Never_fail_to_fail
I obviously have strong feelings about all 8 points otherwise I wouldn’t dedicate an entire post to these ideas, but I want to focus my opinions on the ones that I feel matter most to me & the work I do when it comes to digital production in an Advertising setting.
As a producer I like working with Creative thinkers who are comfortable with big ideas and accept collaboration with a diverse team. When I say diverse I mean diverse in skills, in experience, as well as culturally. That being said from the initial kick-off of a project I embrace thinking big… as a producer allow the team or push the team to think grand. Let them get excited, caught up in the overall idea… then break it up into smaller thoughts, tactics and/or goals.
With that said continue to bring innovation to those smaller pieces – dont let the initial session(s) be the innovative thinking ones and walk away – look at the smallest item and provide your best interpretation of plus’ing it up as much as possible.
Walk away – talk to other people, look at things from a different focal point or lens and with that you may find new ideas when the old ones aren’t clicking. This goes hand-in-hand with sparking your imagination. Obsess over the data available and provide a bridge between the tangible pieces you have with the thoughts and ideas your mind is pushing.
Finally – own up to the inevitable mistakes that your team, and you will make along the way. I have been doing this in some way, shape, or form for well over fourteen years and I make the dumbest mistakes daily… mistakes I hate myself for sometimes – but eventually learn to embrace. Many times I have seen other producers (and probably have fallen victim to this on occasion myself) where they will not accept that they fucked up, always looking for someone or something else to blame along the way. I find it refreshing when you raise your hand & say “My Bad…” but never forget what you did wrong, go backwards & figure out how you could have done it better – could have approached the problem with a different mindset if life provided us a do-over.
I do hope this helps… pass along please.
