Flickr and RMD

Flickr would be an excellent way to connect our accomplishments to our website. We already have a blog that tells people about RMD, so lets show them RMD! It would be a fun way to show interested clients or media how great our events are! Also, we would have pitures for media to access if they wish to write a follow up story of an event. We could also add some fun flare by adding pitcures of ourselves in the office. Pictures of our mojo meetings, brown bag lunch, or even the first media hit by a spc/new employee. Providing pictures of our success will only further support why RMD is the agency to work with.

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flickr

One idea would be to use flickr to create a slideshow about RMD and our clients. All we have to do is upload a few photos of us from around the office and at different events, and then arrange them and add some music on flickr. When watching people come in to RMD they are directed to sit in the meeting room. Although the numerous trophies and plaques are fun to look at, I think we could take it one step furthur by incorporating our slideshow. The slideshow could run on the screen in the meeting room and make whoever is in there feel more welcome when viewing RMD in different settings. We're always looking to make the client feel more welcome and I think a slideshow would be the perfect tool.

Dog and Invisible Fence

RMD brought me on as an intern what seems like ages ago. Being that this is my first step into the professional world, my days here have been faster and more involved than anything I have ever experienced. From simple everyday operations like how to send a fax, to much bigger experiences like how to pitch to the media; I'm learning how to keep up with the fast paced world that is advertising. At times I feel like a dish sponge trying to soak up the pacific.

When my day is crammed full of lessons, which ones will I soak up FOREVER? I think that all my life long lessons have come from mistakes that have had negative consequences. If I was ever out passed my curfew and got away with it, the only lesson I learned was how to sneak out the back door that doesn't creak. If my mom caught me, the first words out of her mouth were usually "I'm going to teach you a lesson". I would be punished and consequently soak in that lesson to avoid being grounded ever again. The same concept applies today at RMD. My colleagues depend on me here and every time I make a mistake it affects them. They inform me of the mistake and the negative consequences that have ensued, and I learn a lasting lesson.

Like a dog that is shocked by an invisible fence, I learn lessons best when they come from negative consequences. We all hate to be punished, but we need to remember what mom used to say "I'm going to teach you a lesson!"

Remove Emotion and Stick to the Facts

Sue Reninger taught me a valuable lesson in client relations that is useful in both business relationships and personal relationships. I've re-learned this past week why it is necessary, when faced with an emotional client, to strip that emotion away and look only at the facts.

By and large, people are emotional due to a variety of issues in our country today. With low consumer confidence, confusion on the economic stability and a heighten awareness of the political stage, clients fear for their own personal future and that of their company's. These two factors combined make for a very emotional person that can easily react unacceptably when triggered by such important topics like money.

I would encourage others to practice this important skill whenever possible in order to communicate more effectively.
Thanks, Sue!

KLP

Image Rules

I remember one day, early in RMD's life. Managing a growing business, the funding and the risks that came along with it - it all was often daunting. To help me personally manage that stress, I found refuge in a frugal budget.

At the time, I was driving a Buick that had nearly 150,000 miles on it ... and it showed. I felt good about that. I was preserving some valuable funds for agency investments. But, one day, Donn approached me, and urged me to purchase a new car. Actually, he insisted.

"You can't show up in front of a client's office, proposing the kinds of budgets that advertising and PR often dictate, in a broken down car. Image is everything." It hit home. He was right. And, to NOT spend the money on something that had such an outward brand building affect as the car I drive sent a loud message. In fact, if you're not actively building the brand, you're eroding it.

That lesson has stuck with me through 16 years of financial decisions. We still invest frugally and intelligently, but we make sure that the package we present to the client adequately reflects the quality of our work, too. Thanks, Donn!

You live, you learn.

There is no day in life when the learning stops. Sure there are high school and college graduations to celebrate that you survived the last 4 years but they don't mark the end of your education. Instead they mark the beginning of it. Each new door you open in your life will lead you down new paths, with new problems to overcome and goals to meet. I am lucky enough to have a father and a best friend in the same wonderful guy, and if thats not enough, my number one teacher. From the ABC's, to Calculus to how to write a resume he has shown me that every task in life can be faced with optimism, humor and determination. And that making mistakes is what learning is all about. Starting this internship is one of the scariest things I have ever done, because I literally have no idea what I am doing about 97% of the time. It's very unsettling because all my life I have been blessed enough to excel when it has come to academics, social situations and even my golf game. In the few short weeks I have been at RMD I have learned many life lessons, like don't cry until you get to your car, or lets face facts my printer is going to hate me forever. But from one person I have learned the most. Jessica Stern is only about a year older than me, and yet she is more composed, more efficent, more professional than I think I ever will be. She teaches me what I aspire to be simply by being herself. True, I am doing things wrong constantly and that doesn't feel good, but with every mistep I learn the right way for next time. This is my first internship and I know I have about 8 months until the job search is on, but I am thankful everyday for being able to continue my learning outside the classroom in a place that has so much to teach.

Cheers to Angela!

When is comes to choosing one life lesson from RMD, it is nearly impossible because every day teaches me something new. However, there is one person who really taught me the importance of treating media as people and not a conquest. Angela was my primary pitching coach. While there were others who also directed me in the field of pitching, Angela was the one I watched the most. I was able to sit in her office and listen first hand how to get a media hit. The most important thing I learned from Angela was recognizing that the people I am pitching to are people! It is important to be patient, be kind, be personable and not robotic. I listened to Angela pitch the Fall Festival for The Town Center at Levis Commons. One person she called was obviously busy and Angela recognized that. She acknowledged the “hectic” schedule and offered to call back at another time that was convenient for them. This attitude creates a friendly relationship that will most likely receive a positive response in the long run. Instead of just pushing for the media hit, pay attention to the voice of the person you are speaking with. Hitting the gong is a thrill and adjusting to people’s schedules is key to swinging that mallet. The lesson Angela taught me is one of the most valuable lessons because I will remember who I am dealing with: a person and not a newspaper, radio or television. Thank you, Angela!