cash flow and creativity, the balance, and the enemy to innovation

I don't care if you are a company with 5 team members or 500. I don't care if you have a budget of 10,000 dollars or a MILLION! There should never be a compromise to creativity.

Creativity, the seat to innovation, is the single most valuable asset you have when it comes to innovation and true market leadership. Pushing forward to always conceptualize and develop breakthrough ideas for new products, services and brands, will continue to be the most dynamic way to business stimulus.

SO, when thinking about buying that new copier OR prototyping the next "pretty thing" may it be a gadget, fresh new way to do things, or a voice the marketplace will trust, think seriously on the investment at hand, the end result, and the possibilities attached to each.

Never let your cash flow hinder your forward momentum towards innovation, keep things firmly in perspective, and create value that will ultimately increase your bottom line...

the designers clock

Lovetime2

Over the weekend I had a very interesting conversation with a really close friend, and they were telling me a story about a friend of theirs who happens to be a the owner of a prominent hair solon, Hairstylist, an Artist. In the mist of the conversation I started to understand and design an idea about something that I have never articulated, because until now, I have not had a reference point OR a "mind shifting" experience that I could pull from. Well, thanks to the conversation that took place, I feel that I have what it takes to describe and idea that for all intents and purposes, I am going to call... 

The Designers Clock 

About two years ago, I got into a "word match" with a design project client about my fees that I will never forget. At that time my fee was 120.00USD/hr and for the life of them, they could NOT understand why I charge so much for my craft, my ART. To them, 120.00USD was far too much for me to be charging for the "work" that they "perceived" me doing. Most people look at the "art of earning" as follows: "trade of skill and time for dollars" or.... 

Skill + Time = X 

This model is perfect for occupations that require what I call "hand to end result" or "mind to end result" productivity.  In other words, IF what is being traded, the task at hand, has a very defined and structured "end result", the model of "trade of skill and time for dollars" model is perfect. However; there is a different model, and most Artist will fall into this category, and it looks more like this... 

Skill + Passion + Soul + Spirit / Time = X

This model suggest that the artist, the "creator", invest more into the window of time than simply his or her "ability" or "skill" BUT they invest very intimate and inward parts of who they are. These investments compound the time, and where what's being discussed is 1 hour, the true discussion is much more. Let me try and use the story my friend told me to illustrate this... 

The Hairstylist  had decided that he was going home at a predetermined time, however; a client (another artist) called in and asked if he could see her for a hair drying. Based on the idea that it was JUST a hair drying, the Hairstylist agreed to go over his predetermined time. Upon arrival the client asked if he could also do her bangs, and he (the Hairstylist) refused. He told the client that he was already extending his time, and he would not be able to do the bangs... The Client get's upset and suggest the idea that because she is an artist and he is an artist he should understand going the extra mile and making the client "happy". The Hairstylist stood his ground and reiterated the fact that she was spilling over into his time, and that he would not do the bangs... Long story short, the client get's upset (though her hair upon completion was immaculate) and the Hairstylist was left feeling confused about why this artist could not understand his art... 

In this instance you had one artist applying the Skill + Time = X model, and not thinking about the Skill + Passion + Soul + Spirit  / Time = X model. While the Hairstylist was actually saying ... 

"Ms. client, I have had my soul, my passion, my spirit and all that I am engaged my art all day, and I honestly need to rest..." 

The client was saying 

"Mr. Hairstylist, I am here for a seemingly simple task that should only take you 15 more minutes..." 

SO they were speaking two distinctly different languages. 

The Designers Clock is comprised of much more than just skill and time. It's compounded by a soulful investment, that authenticates the designers craft and makes them who they are. In the frame of "time" a true Artist will transcend the obvious trade of skill/time balance and enter a space that calls for a much greater investment that can only been seen with the naked eye AFTER the "work" is done... 

Vincent creates not only a beautiful, amazing, one of a kind design; he captures the essence of a person and the vision. He does not just create with his head, he creates with his heart and soul, with passion, bringing concepts to life!" Staci J. Shelton, Visionary. Life-Enthusiast. Communicator. Dreamscaper. Free-Thinker Energy-Changer...Consultant

So, when you ask a true Artist to give you just "15 more minutes" OR when you can not understand the audacity of their fees - think about the totality of the investments, the "creators cost"... The Designers Clock.

terry graham: doing the best with what you have

Today, I was doing what I normally do at WFXL FOX31, minding my own business, getting things done. Terry Graham, the Executive News Director walks into my office (which I call the "Zen Garden") and says... "Vince... Sometimes you have to just do the best with what you have to work with..." NOW if you knew Terry Graham, who has an incredible brand in the news industry, you would know that Terry is no less than a Perfectionist. Terry is that type of guy, that when you get around him, you just HAVE to do better (or look insanely stupid). Terry is what I like to call... 

Driven. 

Terry is extremely passionate about his work, and he IS the details. When I first started my adventure at WFXL FOX31 as the Interactive Managing Editor (they hired me for my thinking... DEFINITELY not my writing) I had to go head to head with Terry. I THOUGHT I was a Perfectionist until I met him. Everyday, Terry would push the envelope with me, challenging me to do more, be more, contribute more. I thank Terry for the "pushing" to this day. AND though I knew (and I believe I still know) a LITTLE more than Terry about the online audience - he bought a senior level News Director perspective to what it is that I do... Well here in the last 4 months, Terry has been charged with the responsibility of designing, and birthing a three hour morning show at WFXL FOX31, and we are closing in on a launch date.  

That was the "backdrop" 

Back to the reason for this post... The quote that Terry dropped on me and the story that followed... 

Chan-yan-tak460

Terry says... "Vince... Sometimes you have to just do the best with what you have to work with..." THEN he goes on to tell me this story about a point in his career where he had to "get lost" in order to "find himself..." and he talked about a chinese restaurant that he would visit on a regular basis in Los Angeles. THIS IS where this get's interesting... He tells the story of the restaurant and how awesome it was. He talked about going to the restaurant at least 5 times a week and really enjoying the food... He used the word... 

Immaculate. 

He then goes on to detail a day, where he went to the restaurant as he always had, and something was just not right... He said that the environment had a "hint of chaos" mixed in and this was very abnormal. He shared with me, that when his food was FINALLY bought out to him it was cold, and absolutely not like it had been all the times prior to this occasion. While he told the story I could see the frustration in his eyes. AND he said... Catch this, because THIS is the real power of this story... When he asked the Owner, what the deal was, the Owner looked at him squarely in the eye and said.... 

"Sorry about that..." 

Terry (even while he is telling me this story) was surprised by the response. Shocked even. However; upon getting the answer - he did not stop there... He asked the Owner again.. "What IS the deal with this food today..." The Owner look at him squarely in the eye and said... 

"Sorry about that..." 

Well.. NOT to drag this out, because I need you to get the "nugget" of wisdom that I got from this... 

Terry goes on to describe how he came BACK to the restaurant, some days later, and how he talked to a waiter who was serving him about the experience, and the waiter informed him that on THAT day, the Owner and his wife were the only ones working... They were short staffed. SO in an essence, they were doing the best with what they had to work with. 

Take this with you... 

If at the end of the day, you can look yourself in the eye, and stand on the idea that you did all that you could to DESIGN BIG, INNOVATE MORE, and REALLY... I MEAN REALLY make a DIFFERENCE, then you should shut down the workstation and GO HOME. If you look yourself in the eye, and you KNOW you could have PUSHED HARDER, been a better INNOVATION ACTIVIST, then on the next day... RAISE THE BAR!! Period. 

If you have limited resources... Do the best with what you have. The ABSOLUTE best.

landis frier: what passion looks like

It's Friday, and typically I would be on Twitter ( http://twitter.com/vincenthunt ) "tweeting" away, finding new people to follow, and learning all I can from the "public voice". Today is different.

From time to time you have the opportunity to meet those people who are so creative, and so talented that when they are in your space, they consume you. From time to time you meet those people who God Himself, has looked down on, and blessed them with something so powerful, and so blessed, that the only thing you can call it is "Soulful Excellence".

Introducing: Landis Frier

Landis

This post is special for me, because I can remember just 3 years ago, bumping into this guy when out on the town, or just passing by in the local mall. And vividly I can remember saying to myself... "There is something very special, very unique about this guy." The son of a good friend of mine, Leslie Hanks, Landis Frier has always been up to some level of mischief, and discord. However; behind all of the symptoms of "growing up", I could sense something so big and so amazing, that at times I would be overwhelmed in his midst. I never knew what this "thing" was, until now...

Landis decided just two short years ago to pursue his passion. I am not 100% sure of what made Landis do it, BUT he DID. Landis picked up a guitar, released what God put in him, and the result is one BAD ASS Country Singer. 

NOW, do not be fooled... Landis is 23 years old, so what he brings to the table is a heightened "sense of things". From time to time I hear "Us" (adults) saying.... "This generation is over exposed..." I can agree to some extent, BUT when you hear Landis sing, something soulful happens. He has somehow found a way to take his experiences in life at a young 23, and turn them into "soul ointment". His sound is rich, his gift is amazing and he is definitely one you want to keep your eye on ... 

http://reverbnation.com/landisfrier

the early bird catches the worm. yeah but....

Birds

As I was growing up, my parents (mainly my mom) would always tell me...

"Vincent Allen (my mom would call me by my first AND middle name when making a point...), the early bird catches the worm..." I believed her. Until now...

Since day ONE of me getting involved with Social Networks, I have had the same question come up over and over. That question is...

"Vince, how do you get people to follow you?" 

Well the answer to that is easy... "Say something of relevance. Feed peoples mind, their soul, and something magical happens ..." People follow you, friend you, whatever the case, based on your substance... In most cases. However; I cant help but hear the "question BEHIND the question..."

"How do you get a LOT of people to follow you..."

LOL!! This is the real question they have. I THINK. And to be honest, the fact is, I have never really worried about how many people follow me, or friend me. I honestly believe that the people who are supposed to be following you, will follow, and those who are NOT supposed to be following you will not. It's that easy really. BUT I really want to challenge thinking here. I want to rethink my mom's old teaching... "The early bird..." 

I have really thought about this idea, and I have come to the conclusion that this paradigm has in-fact shifted. I think the saying should read this way now... 

"The early bird catches the worm, while the wise bird gains influence with the early bird and never goes hungry..." 

Early in my approach to Twitter ( http://twitter.com/vincenthunt ) I had something happen to me that fundamentally changed my thinking about Social Platforms... I was working on a project with a very dynamic team "Epic Change" on their "Tweetsgiving" campaign for that year. I was assigned with the task of designing the Tweetsgiving logo mark and add assistance to telling the brand story. Well, upon completion of this task, I told a Colleague of mine, Chris Brogan, about the project... Chris Brogan ( http://twitter.com/chrisbrogan ) is and was an Early Adopter of Twitter, and by this time had TONS of followers. I think at that time I had like 600 followers, or something, not sure. Well, Chris loved the logo mark, and he tweeted about it... Within a day, I had almost 1,000 followers from his one tweet... SO let's look at this...

Chris Brogan = Early Bird 

Vincent Hunt = Wise Bird 

FOR THE RECORD: Chris is HELLA wise, H E L L A wise... Find out here: http://chrisbrogan.com <-- BUT follow me on this... 

Chris Brogran had already built up a sweet following on Twitter, and I had not... He was early (Early Adopter), I was late (but Wise). I somehow gained some influence with Chris, and he in-turn, retweeted something I wanted retweeting about the tweetsgiving project. NOW at this time he had like 20k followers, FAR more than my 600... BUT in an essence, his voice became my voice for an instant...

So as HE had been "eating"... I ate too.... 

So without rattling on, I could give you many more examples, let's conclude with this idea.... 

"It's not how many people follow you, it's about what you are saying, WHO you are saying it to, and more importantly, do you have enough influence with them that they listen to what you are saying, AND do they trust you enough to repeat it?"

I could have 5 followers, and have the ear of 3 Influencers who have THOUSANDS of followers and still be effective... It's not how many followers, friends you have, it's the trust and value that you build that's important.