Archive for the ‘Around the Office’ Category

Thank You for Your Time

Posted February 2, 2012, by Mary McElgunn

The phrase is simple enough, one we use almost daily and yet it’s one that sends my Dad searching for his red pen.

PicassoIllustration-01

That being the case, I’d like to dedicate this one to my Dad and his pet peeves.

Over the weekend, my Dad was editing my sister’s rough draft for some thank you notes. In every note he crossed off the line, “Thank you for your time” and expressed that the use of this phrase is one of his biggest pet peeves. His explanation came in the form of a little anecdote:

An admirer approached Pablo Picasso in a café and asked him if he would do a quick sketch for him on a paper napkin. Picasso agreed, made a quick sketch and handed it to the admirer saying, “That will be $1,000.” The admirer was horrified, “How can you ask so much? It only took you a minute!” Picasso responded, “It took me my whole life”.

There are many renditions of this famous incident, but all have the same message in common — time is not worthy of thanks, but rather the product of that time. You see when a project is complete, whether it’s an entire re-brand or a sketch on a napkin, it isn’t the time that makes it possible, it’s far more than that. Picasso wouldn’t have been able to create that sketch if each and every event, piece of education and life experience hadn’t happened to him leading up until the point when his pen touched the napkin.

On the flip side, the nature of the advertising and marketing industry forces us to put a value to our time, down to the quarter hour. What people should remember when seeking services in this industry, and any other client-based industry, is that the product of our time is where the value actually lies, not the time itself.

So next time you begin to thank someone for their time, take a moment and thank them for what they were able to do for you.

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“E.T. Text Home?”

Posted December 15, 2011, by Peter-Ruffing

Kelly, one of my co-workers, asked the question a few weeks back; “Remember when you used to call the Time Lady?” answeringmachine1

I’m not sure what made Kelly ask the question, but it got me to thinking, there are probably a lot of people who don’t even know that you used to be able to do that.

As a society we take a lot of technological progress for granted. Who needs a watch? As I sit here typing I can find the time of day on my Blackberry, my laptop and the phone on my desk.

What about other obsolete or potentially obsolete technologies? Try and find an answering machine these days, thanks to voice mail they bit the dust.

In the 1960s there wasn’t a lot of emerging technologies. In my house growing up the technological advance was when we got a longer cord for the phone. Back then we also had phone books, who needs a phone book these days? I couldn’t find a Yellow Pages book if it had a siren attached to it. Just Google what you’re looking for and it’s there, with a phone number, directions, reviews and, more than likely, a link to their website.

When was the last time you heard a busy signal when phoning someone? If you do get a busy signal, put that contact into the “Old School” file. In fact, today most people don’t even have home phones, why incur the cost when almost everyone will contact you on your cell phone? How would that famous line in the movie E.T. be re-written for today? “E.T. text home?”

What will be the next obsolete technology? Will it be something that transformed an industry like the iPod did? When was the last time you got up to flip the album on the turntable to listen to “Side 2”?

Posted in Around the Office, General, Industry News | No Comments »
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Business in the Blogosphere

Posted November 3, 2011, by Lisa Twenter

As I sit here prepared to share my thoughts on this week’s edition of the M3 blog, I immediately think back to why we blog and why it has become a crucial step in reaching out to our visitors and potential clients.

Our agency happens to be particularly multifaceted. Every morning, we have an extraordinary amount of talent walk into M3 and get to work on a variety of projects. To someone just becoming familiar with our agency, our large staff can seem like a complicated family tree of skill sets and responsibilities. Blogging helps to break a large, well-oiled machine down to its most important parts. When a reader is able to gain a better understanding of the individual strengths, interests and talents brewing at M3, they are better able to understand what M3 as a whole can do for their company or project.

Blogging can be beneficial to companies of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds. By regularly blogging, a business can establish itself as invested in its clients and dedicated to staying up-to-date in their industry. To get the most out of a blog, posters should make an effort to stay current. Sharing helpful tips and discussing industry news is a great way to engage readers and keep them checking back for updates.

Once you have some awesome, solid blog posts under your belt, it’s important to remember to keep the momentum going. One blog post per month is not going to be enough to keep regular readers. Creating and regularly maintaining a blog for your business is meant to allow you to appeal to your customers on a personal level and to establish your business as cutting-edge within your industry. A blog with a virtual-tumbleweed rolling through it can make your business seem unapproachable and behind-the-times.

When starting a blog for your business, start with a plan. Make an effort to regularly post, be enthusiastic and get your visitors excited about what you do. A blog is a great way for you to regularly interact with your customers on a massive scale, and more businesses than ever are using this powerful tool to engage current and future clients. Blog, rinse, repeat.

Posted in Around the Office, Branding, Creative Process, Social Media | No Comments »
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Hey!

Posted April 28, 2011, by Emily Caswell

Quick! Go to your inbox right now and do a subject search for “Hey!” How many emails come up?

My guess? (Or at least the number in my inbox) is about 20. And I clean out my inbox … a lot. Luckily for me most of my “Heys” are from friends and family. So the subject is not too vital, but how many of your “Hey” emails are from coworkers, clients, customers, employees, bosses?

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Just as this blog could have gone in many directions with a title like “Hey!” (I mean I could have been blogging about anything from a killer shoe sale to the destruction in Japan) an email titled “Hey!” could contain just about anything.

Imagine if every email in your inbox came with that subject? Mayhem! What to do you respond to first?

In an effort to cut back on “Hey is for horses” responses, the team here at M3 and Capital Area Women’s LifeStyle Magazine decided to take a stand and make our office a “purposeful subject line ONLY” office.

Okay, that sounds really stuffy but as you can tell by meeting some of our team members, we are anything but stuffy. Still, we are driven and efficient and BUSY, which is the main reason we made the switch.

Now instead of “Hey,” subject lines around here read more like “FOR EDITS: CAWLM_May_2011_coverstory.”

Even if you don’t work here and I bet you know what the recipient of that email is supposed to do with it.

So next time you’re about to hit the send button, take a second look at your subject line and make sure it has a bit of direction. I promise it’ll make your life, as well as the lives of others, easier and more organized.

On top of that (and I promise it’s not just because of my journalism background) a purposeful subject line will get the reader’s attention – always a plus – killer shoe sale or not. (Although, personally, I’m always hoping for the shoe sale).

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Entrepreneurship: Making the Leap

Posted February 24, 2010, by Tiffany Dowling

I never wanted to be an entrepreneur. If fact, I resisted the idea for some time. I’ll admit I was in a transition and open to new opportunities. Who isn’t, after all? I was just not open to that one. Running a business seemed really complicated. There’s the client acquisition, the process development, the accounting, the billing and the list goes on.

It’s National Entrepreneurship Week!

On February 20 – 27, 2010, the Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education will sponsor the 4th annual National Entrepreneurship Week. In 2006 the US Congress established the need for celebration of National Entrepreneurship Week as a celebration of American entrepreneurs and the lifelong learning educational opportunities that prepare the NEW business leaders of the future. www.nationaleweek.org

However, for several weeks there were signs that kept presenting themselves, and if you believe that things happen for a reason, then you have to eventually stop and look at where life is pointing you.

I was lucky. Life knew better than I did that running a business would be a good thing for me. And, I definitely have the skill set that help an entrepreneur succeed. I am passionate, willing to work as long and hard as it takes to make things happen and, above all, I’m a risk taker.

I’m always open to trying new things and I never get worked up at the thought of failing. It is a great way to learn. I also like having the flexibility to dream. There are so many ideas that I have. It never stops. I wake up in the middle of the night and process the next thought. Not everything works out, but it is fun to know that I can process an idea, do the research and make a decision to move forward — or not.

There are days that I want to walk away from the pressure, responsibility and heartache. But, more than anything, I wake up and can’t wait to get after it. I arrive at work and the day flies by. I love every minute of it. I love the idea generation, the team that I work with and what we do to make businesses grow. It makes me happy.

There are two types of entrepreneurs: those who are driven by the type of work they do and those who just like to lead and it doesn’t matter what the business is. I’m a passion-driven entrepreneur. I don’t think I could run any business that I wasn’t personally connected to. If you’re interested in being an entrepreneur, I highly recommend it. It won’t be easy. In fact, it will be the toughest thing you’ve ever done.

Assess your skill set, do the research, decide to take the risk and go for it. Even if it doesn’t work out, it will be worth it.

Here’s a list of resources for entrepreneurs in Lansing:
Great Lakes Entrepreneur’s Quest
Center for New Enterprise Opportunity
Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan
East Lansing Technology Innovation Center
Lansing Economic Area Partnership
Next Bright Idea

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12 New Things

Posted January 7, 2010, by Tiffany Dowling

yarn balls I’ll just put it right out there: 2010 marks my fortieth year on this planet, and I decided it was time for a daring resolution. I’m a risk-taker by nature and there’s a lot I’ve yet to do. So, why not make 2010 the year I get around to doing them?

Just before the New Year, I sat down with some trusting team members and compiled a list of 24 things I’ve never done. (Correction: 24 things I’ve never done and would be willing to try.) After compiling the list, each of my teammates voted on the 12 things they want to see me try in 2010 (one each month).

So, here it is, my new year’s resolution. The official list of “new things” I’m going to attempt in 2010 (in order, from January to December):

1. Take a polar plunge

2. Knit a scarf

3. Shoot a gun

4. Learn ballroom dancing

5. Change a tire

6. Hot air balloon ride

7. Skydive

8. Drive a tractor

9. Canoe the Grand River

10. Try Indian food

11. Take voice lessons; sing karaoke in front of people

12. Donate 30 pairs of new shoes to charity in one month

Spectators will be encouraged and welcomed at each of these events. Stay tuned for times and details. Of course, there will be photo evidence, or it didn’t happen.

“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Are you thinking of trying something new in 2010? Share it below and Tiffany may join you. Live your fears Mid-Michigan … make your dreams a reality!

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Happy Holidays, from our M3 family to yours

Posted December 14, 2009, by M3

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51 things you should (or shouldn’t) know about M3

Posted December 2, 2009, by M3

614 Seymour was built 1901.
In the basement, there is a dirt room used for storage; on more than one occasion, a dark spirit has been spotted there.
M3 team members post weekly to our blog, keeping friends and followers in the loop.
Every employee has a favorite pen brand.
There are several bottomless candy dishes throughout the office.

The staff participates in frequent ice cream runs in the summer.
All employees are categorized by one of four types of birds: peacock, dove, eagle or owl.
The men of the house typically work on the third floor offices.
Monday mornings are team meetings; Thursday mornings are brainstorming.
Good food goes fast. First come, first served.
Bad food goes fast, too. Second come gets the bad food.
M3 once covered its parking lot with sand for a blizzard beach party — Tiffany can testify to the challenges of keeping a blizzard tent cold on the hottest day of the year.

Our creativity is often fueled by donuts.
The 3D version of our mascot, Aha, was made from a toilet seat cover. The perfect color of teal!
We squeeze a squeaking giraffe when meetings get off topic.
614 Seymour magically expands in correlation with M3’s growth to make room for new employees.
Falling down the third floor staircase isn’t as bad as it looks — until you run out of steps.
M3 subscribes to Advertising Age, Communication Arts, The Greater Lansing Business Monthly and several other publications.
Many of the decorative details of 614 Seymour — the pink bathroom tiling, the elaborate fireplace — are original Victorian work.
We all have 80s music stuck in our heads from the CAWLM 80s Flashback Fundraiser; Anna is the only one who lets it out.
Sometimes our media invites include fresh hot dogs or picket fencing.
The original molding contains several secret doors and hiding places.
Every day is crazy.

Pets are welcome at work any time. Many have become members of the team.
We sometimes have to double park cars in our parking lot.
You can always count on the team to make it happen … day after day.
M3 publishes Capital Area Women’s LifeStyle Magazine (CAWLM).
Every issue of CAWLM’s third year is framed and hung in the office at 610 Seymour.
M3 works hard, plays hard and creates big ideas.
We have a mechanical engineer running the marketing and graphic design department. Joni rocks the casbah.
The third floor is haunted (and yes, Julie can vouch for this).
Our coat closet is on the third floor (great spot for a coat closet, we know), and is affectionately referred to as “the dorm room”; Julie petitioned to move in when she was still at MSU.
Some of us are Macs and some of us are PCs.
We have a small collection of board games; Scattergories gets the most use.
We once counted how many marshmallows were in a box of Lucky Charms, then helped to donate more than 85 boxes of cereal to the Greater Lansing Food Bank in partnership with the Lansing Breakfast Club.
The south window in Tiffany’s office rattles violently when the wind blows.
Anna, Emily, Julie and Kelly make up the Special PRops team at M3.
Everyone at M3 wants to kick their Brother (don’t worry, it’s just the temperamental second floor printer).

Our company vehicle is often toting a big fish around to various locations to delight children in the community.
M3 grew out of its office in 2009. We had to commandeer 610 (the building next door).
We have a puzzle map of the United States. The state of Maine is missing.
We have anywhere from three to five talented interns with us each semester. We love their hip ideas and can-do attitudes.

Our team concierge, Julia, doubles as the office florist.
There’s a hole under the rug in the parlor.
The fan on the third floor moves frequently and is often coveted during the hot summer months.
M3’s parking lot doubles as a lake after a rainstorm.
Julie (”Eagle Eye”) and Julia (”Watch Dog”) are the resident parking lot enforcers.
Wood floors at 614 Seymour can be slippery even when only steam-cleaned.
Unexpected breakfast burritos are the best any day of the week.
White/bulletin boards and filing cabinets outnumber M3 employees at 614 Seymour, because our big ideas simply cannot be contained by a mere one per employee.
Extra umbrellas are always available on the first floor … for brainstorming meetings that get exceptionally wild.

Posted in Around the Office, General | 1 Comment »
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The Other Side of M3

Posted August 26, 2009, by Julie Becker

To an extent, we all live with dueling personalities.

There’s a part of us that we show to the world, and another that lives deep inside our beings. The spectrum on which these personalities live is different for everyone. Some like to let it all hang out, while others keep their true colors quietly tucked away. The team at M3 prefers to live in the former, and it’s time we came clean.

The goal of our agency rebranding is three-fold:

Keep the conversation going
Help clients find their aha moments
Remain transparent on all levels

What could be more conversational, aha-riffic or transparent than the personality each of us nurtures and exudes daily? Our brand deserved the creativity and uniqueness of every employee under the roof of 614 Seymour. Then, we had an aha moment of our own.

We wondered, why is it that so many creative, or “creative” agencies aren’t capitalizing on their most creative asset: the team? If there were any photos at all on agency sites, we found most of them to be generic, run-of-the-mill staff headshots or buttoned-up photos of CEOs and VPs and CDs. Bor. Ing.

That’s not us! That’s not the kind of show we’re running here. We’re not perfect headshots or buttoned-up black suit/white shirt and tie combos.

We have hobbies and passions, and make Rubik’s Cube costumes for Halloween. We like playing with desk tchotchkes and laughing and eating Cheetos out of fanny packs. We grow vegetables, wear jeans to work and go barefoot in the office if the mood strikes us.

There was no good reason our photos shouldn’t reflect all of this and more. If our clients are human, why can’t we be human, too?

So, Lynne Brown and her team at Perspective 2 in Old Town, Lansing, put on their working pants and carved out an entire day to capture the essence of our team.

After a bit of planning, coordination and about a dozen trips to the studio on a sunny day in July, we did it: a real staff photo shoot, complete with the zest and personality of our team.

It was no easy feat (we assure you), but the fruits of Brown’s labor and that of her camera are simply incredible. (Thanks, Lynne!)

If you haven’t discovered these photographic gems, visit the talent pages of our site. You can roll over the team’s professional photos, (as close to buttoned up as we’re going to get), to reveal our true(r) personalities. And for your efforts, we’d like to reward you with a video.

Here are the outtakes and M3 team photos we didn’t want you to see (at least not right away). Enjoy getting to know us in another light; then, go ahead — give us a call. We’ve got nothing to hide, and everything to show. Your aha moment awaits …

Posted in Around the Office, General | 1 Comment »
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Meet the M3 Team All Over Again

Posted August 11, 2009, by M3

And you thought we were crazy before

With a whole new Web site, we want to reintroduce the talent that makes it all happen at 614 Seymour. During the last several months, a few faces have been added to the M3 team. So if you haven’t met us all, take a look and get connected today.

Now you can get to know our deepest, darkest secrets. Click each photo to read more.