There is a saying in Spanish that translated reads, “A blacksmith should never carry a wooden sword”. At one time or another design/development agencies like ourselves have fallen into this trap. We’re so busy doing good work for our clients that we forget to stop long enough to build a good web presence for ourselves.
Workaholics know what I’m talking about, but that’s why we have spas and gyms, right? Now and again you need to do something for yourself.
Earlier this year we opened a skunk works operation here at VLG. We found that by applying our many talents to other areas of our business we produced new products, solutions and best practices. By taking care of business at home we’re able to offer our clients more and better solutions. Integrated web apps, social media, mobile media are all in the queue. I could go on, but it wouldn’t be skunk works if I leaked everything in this blog.
Spend a little time leveraging your own internal expertise and new ideas or opportunities will percolate. Vanity drives innovation, not always, sometimes.
Like other advertising and marketing firms, VLG’s worth is often in our ability to hold a mirror in front of clients. Helping shift paradigms or capitalize on unrecognized opportunities may define our value proposition. The creative process itself essentially dictates how we see our own products/services/solutions in the market place. Microsites and Dialog Marketing are byproducts of client introspection, the steel blade of message delivery.
It’s a huge advantage over competitors that run around swinging wooden swords.
Consider your own organization. You may not be able to apply your offering to your own business. If you build a jet engine, you may not build your own airplane. Somewhere in your organization you’re carrying a wooden sword. Somewhere you have expertise that can be applied elsewhere. Find some time for a little introspection. You’ll be glad you did.
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