Have you ever heard of an advertising/marketing/designer deny their clients input and suggestions on projects? They usually defend their position with saying; “We don’t tell you how to do your business, so don’t tell us how to do our business.” Or ask; “Why did you hire the marketing agency if you were going to do it yourself?”

The first thought that comes to my mind is: Wow! This marketing/advertiser must be the smartest person on the planet! Or, not.

I find that my clients have a wealth of knowledge on marketing and advertising. And I welcome any conversation, and their input, on the projects that I’m working on for them. I believe denying the possibility of new knowledge is a sign of arrogance and/or immaturity. Neither of those traits, are the qualities you’d want in an agency that’s going to be working on your brand and identity.

Everyone is creative! There are those who say different. I say don’t listen to them. What do they know? They stopped “learning” a long time ago.

I don’t believe the saying “You get what you pay for.” Making such a broad generalization is disrespectful and misleading to those who have to hear it and to those to whom it’s directed.
It’s disrespectful toward your fellow professionals to say that since they don’t charge as much, it must mean they’re work is of lesser quality. There are many reasons to charge less for the same work: Low over head; skilled and trained staff; or even a simple lack of greed.

“You get what you pay for” is misleading to potential clients. It implies doom and failure if the client decides to hire someone who doesn’t charge as much. Using fear to force clients into a decision is a clear sign that the person uttering those words is only looking out for themselves and their interests.

I say run and never look back if you hear those words uttered by a professional trying to sell you something. More than likely, they’re using this fear tactic to justify charging insanely high prices for their service.

Go down the street and talk with two or more similar professionals and then make your decision.

The other day I purchased a bottle of SoBe green tea and half way through drinking the bottle I noticed the bottle cap had this message in it; “How ya doin’ today?”

It made me smile, even laugh a little. I’ve had bottles with messages in their caps before so this is not new to me. But it had been awhile and I wasn’t expecting it. So when the cap flipped upside down and exposed the message, I was surprised.

I liked the fact that the message wasn’t trying to sell me something else, like another flavor or different product of theirs. By not trying to sell me another product, it’s as though they really care and respect me.

The tone of the message has personality and creates a feeling of friendliness. Crazy as it sounds, it’s as though I actually heard someone ask me “How I was doin’ today?”

That was a nice touch and a pleasant surprise. I don’t know what it cost them to print inside the caps, but they won my loyalty by doing so and I look forward t my next purchase.

It also helps that their product was superb too!

I have an idea, and I’m sure as can be, that it’s a pretty darn great idea.

So, I present my idea, along with mock ups and suggestions to the next level in the hierarchy where I work. At first, the management was supportive and enthused. As time passed, and after fighting many dumpster fires that needed attention, the management’s interest level faded.

I asked for and received permission to take my idea elsewhere to develop. But after more time reflecting on my idea, I flushed out even more benefits that awaits the company who pursues my idea. So, once again, I try to push this boulder up the mountain.

Personally, I’d like to help a company that has helped me and many co-workers/friends with employment, than to take my idea to strangers. If I can help create or secure jobs for the company I work for, that would be my first wish. Combine that desire with some kind of personal reward for putting the idea into words, and we’d have a perfect solution.

No, I wouldn’t say I’m being greedy. New ideas, big, small or medium, are rare and should be valued. Without new ideas, we’d still be fighting over carrion and caves. Yes, ideas should be rewarded. And really good ideas deserve to be rewarded generously.

What I don’t understand is when a great idea is put forth…why, WHY CAN’T CORPORATE see it? I won’t repeat what I’ve been told would happen I left my job. Many large corporations have earned their bad reputations. And maybe I’m being naive when I believe people are inherently good and will do the right thing. Even corporate and management.

But back to my question … WHY CAN’T CORPORATE SEE A GREAT IDEA WHEN IT’S PRESENTED TO THEM? I’ve connected the dots. I’ve explained the benefits to the company. This idea would last well into the future - 20 years or more! It’s not just a one time bonus. It’s years and years of reaping benefits!

What am I to do? I have a fantastic idea and would love to see it help my company, my friends and myself. But if corporate says no, then … then what’s my next step? Another corporation?

The truth is, I’m an animal welfare/rights person. And yes, I’m a vegan too.

While helping my animal sanctuary client with a project, I stumbled on to the Humane Society of the United States Web site. This interesting news bite about Safeway caught my attention. My first response was, uh oh. I shop there. Are they bad?

It turns out not to be the case. Safeway is actually taking steps to assure animal welfare! You can read the article here. It is really promising and I hope more big (and small) stores follow their lead.

If marketed and advertised correctly, this could set Safeway apart from all other grocery stores. Even most organic and natural food stores do not have such a policy. I worked as a graphic designer for a natural and organic food store and to my surprise, animal welfare was not on their list.

Now it seems this issue is becoming popular. Increasingly, TV is exposing animal cruelty cases all over the U.S. Just the other day, Katie Couric aired a spot on cruelty to dairy cattle in California.  So Safeway’s move is “timely” and could put them in the spotlight as a progressive and humane enterprise.

I look forward to seeing how they incorporate this in their marketing. I hope they do.