I’m a huge fan of the show Burn Notice. The show’s premise is that government spy Michael Westen has been black listed, leaving him with no resources, no handlers and no idea who burned him.

I would not call myself as a risk taker, and that’s part of the appeal of the show for me. There are some great life lessons from Burn Notice that even the most conservative chap could apply to his life. Here are five things I’ve learned from the past two seasons.

Lesson 1 — Know your mission

Westen’s mission on Burn Notice is to find out who burned him and why, and then get back to being a spy. Almost everything he does is aimed at reaching that goal. He’s got no time for pity parties and other foolishness that usually comes along when you’ve been “done wrong.”

Lesson 2 — Do your recon

Reconnaissance is done to gather intelligence on an enemy or in an unknown situation. Westen never rushes into a job without having the right intel. Even when time is of the essence, he makes sure he has the details needed before making his next move.

Lesson 3 — Plan of attack (have one)

Part of Westen’s skill set is the ability to read people and control situations well enough to ensure the outcome he wants. Once he’s gathered the necessary data, it’s time to put the plan in motion. Westen plans out every detail from what kind of character he will portray to his entry and exit points when it comes to the showdown.

Even if something doesn’t go as expected, Westen can quickly shift his plan of attack. It usually takes some creativity and very fast thinking on his part, but it is television after all.

Lesson 4 — Help others along the way

Westen’s main focus is finding out how to get his old life back. However, that doesn’t keep him from lending a hand (for a fee, of course) to those who seek his special capabilities to retrieve an item or to take down the perpetual bully, extortionist, etc.

A willingness to be the help someone needs in the midst of your own crisis says a lot about your character.

Lesson 5 — Have a good backup team

Westen couldn’t do the majority of the things he does without Sam Axe and Fiona Glenanne. Axe brings to the table his days as a Navy Seal and Military Intel Operative. Glenanne brings weapons and explosives expertise to the party. She can handle it all and is ready to rock it at a moment’s notice.

They come together and enable Westen to go up against some amazing odds. Each one knows that they have each others’ backs. Nobody is more or less important than anyone else. There is a major trust factor between them that every player is giving their all toward the success of the operation.

As the summer rolls out the third season, I’ll be watching to see what else I may learn from Michael Westen. In the process, maybe he’ll get his old job back.

I think Huey Lewis said it best in the 80s.

“The power of love is a curious thing

Make one man weep, make another man sing

Change a hawk to a little white dove

More than a feeling that’s the power of love

Tougher than diamonds, rich like cream

Stronger and harder than a bad girl’s Dream Nails

Make a bad one good make a wrong one right

Power of love that keeps you home at night”

With the Tom Izzo situation brewing in the mid Michigan area and now around the country, I have to wonder if the power of love will be able to keep Tom Izzo home in East Lansing. A large contingent of fans from local businesses, the creative community and (of course) the MSU nation came together over the weekend to send a simple message as Tom Izzo is making a difficult decision – We Love Izzo.

If you live in the Lansing/East Lansing area, you were well aware that the community was set to make sure this emotion … this curious thing … weighed into the very personal discussion among his family members. This group took a Sunday afternoon and plastered the town with yard signs, banners and social media messages in everyone’s “in” box.

This love even made headlines here and around the region and country. The Chicago Tribune covered the event, as did the USA Today and many areas in between. There are video clips of people moving signs from area to area all day long – a herculean effort to say the least.

Mission accomplished … I would say. Even if Tom Izzo chooses to take the next step in his career path, he can leave this town knowing that we truly appreciated and well, loved his contribution. And, if he stays, we know that he is fully aware that he is valued not only as a member of the MSU Men’s Basketball program, but also as a member of this community.

Good luck with your decision Tom.

Those of you who work in the creative field know how important inspiration is and how important it is to have a constant source of it. However, every so often, we get stuck. We aren’t sure what or how to use the many sources of inspiration in our crazy world.

What is inspiration?

According to Wikipedia, inspiration, in an artistic sense, is “sudden creativity in artistic production.” In advertising, that inspiration plays an essential role in design. Can you imagine advertisements without it? They become lifeless, boring and mundane.

Advertising is not just giving consumers the information necessary to know what a candy bar tastes likes, how much it costs and where to find it. No, it’s evolved into a combination of complex design work and well laid out content. Designers must constantly be pushing their own limits and come up with new and exciting ways to reach out to target markets. They need to be inspired.

How to become inspired?

The best part of all of this is that anyone and everyone can be inspired. It doesn’t matter where you are, who you are talking to or what you are looking at. As long as you are open and willing, you can be inspired.

Where can inspiration be found?

• Nature: Look at the colors, the shapes, the sizes, the textures that seem to be randomly put together to make such beautiful pieces of art. Take note of it all and try to use nature’s colors or shapes in your next design piece.
• Magazines: Check out the different layouts that are being used today, or even were used in the past. Look at the different fonts, and the placement of those fonts in relation to images.
• Typography: Have you ever opened up a typography book just for fun? If not, I highly suggest that you do. Beautiful typography can make an entire design piece flow.
• Photography: Viewing different media, such as photography, can open up your mind to different ideas that you may have never thought of.
• The Web: Need I say more? You can find anything on the web, just make sure you are still coming up with your own creative ideas and not stealing others.
• Emotions: Take whatever emotions you might have towards someone or something and use it in your next design.

If I take a hard look at my media habits I would have to admit that I love television. It’s true. I’m old school. It’s not that I watch a ton of television (really) because I’m so busy, but I do keep the TV on all the time. I know the environmentalists are cursing my name right now, but I can’t help myself.

I am fairly addicted to the noise interruption in my day. It’s strange, I know, but it started in high school. I couldn’t do my homework without having some type of noise. I would use my stereo, but mostly I liked the TV. I think it was simply easier to listen to mindless chatter. If I listened to music, I might actually sing and then distract myself.

I’m not a fan of being in total quiet. I’m sure there are reasons why, but I really don’t know what they are. I need to have stimulation all the time. Now that I can use my Smartphone to go to Facebook and stay in touch on Twitter, it gives my TV a bit of a rest. Although it makes me even happier to sit with my computer on my lap, listening to the TV and glancing at the Facebook and Twitter feed. Addicted? Maybe.

But, frankly it all started with TV. I love to “watch” the mindless shows that are mildly entertaining and really don’t make you think at all. Believe me, I have enough to think about during the day that takes actual brainpower. Go figure.

I have even put a TV in my kitchen. I swear it keeps me in there cooking and cleaning. I definitely can say that this is possibly the most favorite TV in the house for my family even though it is only a 12-inch model. After all, it does indirectly provide them sustenance.

I have not resorted to installing one in the bathroom … although I do believe it would be the biggest extravagance. I was at the MGM Grand recently, and the room was amazing. The most amazing part was the flat screen TV mounted inside the mirror in the restroom. Seriously. I think I’ll save my nickels and dimes for one of my very own someday. Although that would mean, I guess, that I’m planning to spend more time in there. Maybe I should rethink my plan.

I could spend my nickels and dimes on a trip to Hawaii. I’m sure I won’t miss my TV there.

Technology is all around us. It sits on our desks in the form of our computer, it rests in our purses and pockets in the form of smartphones; heck, I’m pretty sure my wristwatch has more computing power than we sent men to the moon with. You can’t even turn your car on without the aid of a sophisticated computer system.

The main issue with technology? It’s always evolving. Someone is always coming up with a better, newer, faster, more energy-efficient way of doing something. And of course, all the great technology we have 6 or 7 years ago? It’s wearing out, requiring it be replaced with that something faster-better-cheaper-more awesomer.

That’s kind of where we’re at here at M3. After much deliberating and deciding, we’re implementing some major technology updates here at 614 Seymour. What I’d like to do is share with you my experiences thus far, as well as offer some suggestions as you look to make similar improvements in your business.

A long-standing approach we’ve taken here at M3 is to ensure we’re on the cutting edge of technological innovations — within reason, of course. We don’t buy the latest and greatest workstations every time they are released (although, as an admitted technophile, I have to admit my lust-o-meter went up a few notches when I laid eyes on the new 27” iMac). We do ensure that we have the best equipment and software to meet our client’s needs.

That approach has led us to decide on a total replacement of our phone system and to replace our aging file server along with make some other upgrades to our network. It gets all the more interesting as we recently purchased the building next door, 610 Seymour. We will actually link the two buildings together so data and voice communications will flow freely between staff in both locations. Pretty heavy stuff, especially for a non-IT professional to undertake.

So how do you start something like this? Simply put, you get LOTS of help. Well, let’s back up a little. First, you have to assess what you think your needs are. Notice I said “think” in there. Why? Because trust me, what you think you need, and what you actually need, may be totally different.

In our case, we knew we needed to replace our phone system, and at some point a server upgrade was likely needed. Based on that we started making calls to as many phone system providers as we could, had many, many meetings talking to them about our needs and got quotes based on their recommendations.

What we got was surprising, both in pricing as well as implementation. For example, one provider came back with three different options, all significantly different in how the upgrade would be implemented. While one was a traditional phone system that runs on our existing phone lines, the others were a Voice Over IP (VoIP) and hybrid system – linking VoIP and a traditional implementation. Without having that discussion and working with someone who thought a little bit different about our situation and needs, we probably would have never even considered VoIP as an option for our system. Voice data traveling through your network? Crazy-talk!

The same thing goes for our server upgrade. I talked to three or four different providers and because of those differing viewpoints, I found out about things that could be implemented that wouldn’t just drop a new server into our network, but would also improve our network speed, performance and reliability. And of course, you also see what you get for the money, which is a critical aspect of such decisions.

So how do you decide on what do once you have these mountains of quotes sitting on your desk? First, I recommend grabbing a cup of coffee maybe a cookie (hey, it works for me!) and think about your level of comfort with the options provided.

Comfort? Isn’t this all about technology and hardware and software and dollars and cents? Yes, it is, and no, it isn’t. In my real job as Logo Overlord, what I tell my clients about a logo or brochure or whatever else I’m creating for them is that they shouldn’t just like the design, they should LOVE it. They should feel invested in that design, feel that it best represents their needs. The same goes for any sort of major (heck, even minor) tech upgrades. If you are not going to be comfortable with the end results, you should seriously reconsider that choice, regardless of how it may look on paper.

Of course you also have to think about whether or not that choice will adequately meet your company’s needs. Do you need two Terabytes or storage or six? Do you have the time, energy, expertise to administer your server, network, phone system or whatever? Or do you need to retain someone for those services?

Are you a Mac or a PC? Are you barely able to turn your computer on without assistance, or do you build high-end gaming machines in your spare time? Be realistic about these points as well. No one will judge you either way; it’s all about meeting your needs so you can get back to doing whatever it is you do best.

So what did we decide on here at M3? Aha! Well, you’re just going to have to wait and see. Once we get everything installed, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on those choices, the ups and downs of migrating to a new system and how it all worked out.

If you are looking at doing something new and exciting with your network or phone system and have questions, I’d love to hear from you. Likewise, if you’ve recently gone through a major tech upgrade and want to share your experiences, drop me a line. In the meantime, keep your fingers crossed for me. It’s going to be a fun ride!

Lasso. Magic Wand. Elliptical Marquee. These are some of the tool selections that a graphic designer should have in his Adobe tool belt.

“Selections” are the tool options offered in design programs to help designers keep their work at its best. They do perform tasks such as isolate editing to specific areas in an image, or cut out portions of an image. Selections are an important part of everyday life for a designer.

A designer is only as good as his or her selections. In Design 101, my professor started the class with these words, and I will never forget them.

Truly, a designer can quickly reveal a lack of experience by producing a jagged edge or fragmented image to a client. Once you learn a tool that works well for you, perfect it. Then, find a different way to get the job done, and perfect that, too. This is how, over time, a designer builds a tool belt with both breadth and depth.

The truth is that there are many ways to accomplish the same end in Photoshop, but not all of them are equally effective and proper. These selection methods can make or break your credibility as a designer.

How can you spot if your designer is taking the time to make appropriate and clean selections?

• Look closely at the edges of the cropped photo: are they jagged or does the image have a smooth natural edge?

• Does the image have all of its parts? Or have small pieces and parts of the image been deleted away?

• If the image is of a person, does the hairline look natural or choppy?

• Have the small details been overlooked or taken care of? Look closely in the gaps and corners to make sure unwanted details have been fully removed, and that additions are thorough and look natural.

You just bought a 52” HD flat screen television. Fifteen minutes into the game, the screen goes dark and you can’t get it to turn back on. You call customer service only to find out that your warranty ended the minute you left the store and because you didn’t buy the extended warranty coverage, it will cost you an arm and a leg to fix it. They won’t replace the television, even though you have your receipt, insisting that you did not have the television properly installed because you did it yourself.

When it comes to serving your clients, do you come across like the place that once the customer has paid, they are no longer your concern? People are tired of getting what seems like a great deal until there’s a problem. Suddenly, there is nobody around willing to help, leaving the customer frustrated, angry and spreading the word not to use your business and why.

In today’s economic times, treating clients and customers with respect and decency is what will keep them coming back time and again. I think that this woman says it best in this short clip.

Here are a few things that can go a long way in keeping current clients and bringing in new ones.

Return phone calls and e-mails in a timely fashion.

Nothing is more frustrating than feeling like you are being ignored. Make it a point to return calls and e-mails within 24 hours of when you receive them. Even if you don’t have the answer to the client’s question, at least let him or her know you are working on it. There may be times when it’s not possible to follow up within a day, and that’s alright. If it’s the exception and not the rule, clients are likely to be understanding.

Under promise and over deliver.

You may have heard this phrase before, but there is a lot of truth to it. Clients love being amazed by what you can pull off, especially when it takes their projects, events, whatever to the next level. Know what you can reasonably do and if you are able to do more within the scope of budget and time, and go for it!

Be a problem solver.

When you are working on an event or project for a client, sometimes things don’t go as planned. Before you pick up the phone to call them, do you have a viable solution to offer? Your client is depending on you to have answers to problems when they arise. If you are only calling to tell them what’s gone wrong with no solution, your client may not be your client for long.

Your business is probably not the only company doing what you do. Keep your customer service expectations high and you will keep clients coming back for your services.

Although environmental initiatives have most of us recycling when possible, turning off the lights when we leave a room and switching to LEDs, words still get carelessly tossed around at an astonishing rate. They don’t grow on trees, people.

A curious thing happens when you use fewer words: the ones you do use work harder for you.

For example, see what happens when I trim unnecessary words from my first sentence:

Environmental initiatives have us recycling, turning off lights and switching to LEDs, but words get tossed around carelessly.

It’s clear, direct, efficient — and we conserved a whopping 15 words. Efficient sentences have a little extra zip.

So why is word waste so common?

Often, words are wasted because people:

Write how they talk.

And when people talk, they tend to, you know, add a few extra words in a lot of the time, because they’re also trying to, like, organize their thoughts as they go at the same time.

Conserve: Once you’ve completed your copy, review it. Keep an eye out for extra words and delete them. When in doubt, ask yourself, “Would this sentence have the same meaning without this word?”

Hide in their words.

Much like a security blanket, diluting our communication can make us feel safer. This could be an attempt to avoid sounding too aggressive or to make a mistake (yours or someone else’s) sound not as bad as it is, among other things.

Conserve: Own your words. If you find yourself diluting a statement with unnecessary words, stop and ask yourself why. There’s often a reason behind it that has nothing to do with linguistics. Padding communication doesn’t address this problem; it only obscures your message, which could even lead to bigger problems. Tackle the issue with thoughtful, clear writing instead.

Don’t know their key point.

Every piece of writing has a focus. Elaboration beyond that focus should support it. This is hard to do if you’re not sure what the focus is.

Conserve: Take a step back. Whether you are conscious of it or not, there is an underlying message in there. If you had to convey your point in one sentence, how would you say it? Ta-da, there’s your focus.

A word to the wise: another reason conserving your words is so important is that they are not recyclable. Reused words lose their meaning over time — just take a look at any end-of-year banned words list. Overeager attempts to recycle these words instead of finding fresh ones are almost always what landed them there.

Overcoming Roadblocks to Great Ideas

As the Ideation Specialist at M3, I am entitled to say that ideation can most certainly be taught. Sometimes, I like people to think it was a gift I was born with, but that’s simply not true. Everyone has the ability to train his or her mind to think creatively and imaginatively — I just had a little extra training.

Though I’m a firm believer that everyone holds a key to his or her own creative genius, there are days the ideas just. don’t. come. And the harder you try to think of a good idea, the worse they get.

So, to help a fellow ideator in need, I’ve put together a few classic personas to avoid when attempting to brainstorm your next big creative idea, and a list of fixes if one should reveal itself.

Whatever you do, don’t be a …

Stagnate Sally:

Sallys hold back; they are fearful of risks and, more importantly, fearful failure (gasp!).

Fix: Let go of the same ol’ same ol’, go against the grain and whatever you do, don’t be afraid to sound silly. Unthink what “creative” means and redefine it for yourself.

Serious Sam:

Sams are into serious, rational problem solving, they stay far inside the lines because that’s what’s “right.”

Fix: Get out some toys and play! Remember what it was like to be a kid and the freedom childhood imagination brought — go there, you’ll find the answer.

Blind Betty:

Bettys have trouble recognizing their own strengths and the creative resources around them.

Fix: Open your eyes to the resources around you that will showcase your creative abilities to the world. Find what you’re good at and let your mind drift … innovate!

Rigid Ralphy:

Ralphys are over-certain at times and stuck in their ways of thinking; they express persistent behavior and react on assumptions.

Fix: Create a list of all the ideas that come to your mind and write them down. Then, make yourself think of 20 more, 50 more, 100 more! No one likes a Rigid Ralphy.

Boring Betsy:

Betsys suppress their imaginations and lead impoverished fantasy lives; they overvalue the so-called “objectives.”

Fix: Allow yourself to pretend; start more sentences with “What if … ” and finish them with your wildest imaginings. The crazier the better. (Oh, and wear neon colored clothing — nothing boring about that!)

Reluctant Ryan:

Ryans try to solve problems too quickly, they are hesitant to let things incubate, simmer … soak.

Fix: Plant the start of an idea in your mind and then move on to other things. The best ideas always strike when you least expect it (lather, rise, repeat helps, too).

Numb Nelly:

Nellys suffer from sensory dullness (don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it sounds); they don’t explore their primary senses in ways that channel creativity.

Fix: Think beyond the surface; allow your body to take in the world around you for inspiration. (Or as a Traditional Tom might say, “stop to smell the flowers.” But really smell them.)

Coy Carl:

Carls are nervous about letting their ideas be heard; they don’t like to exert influence and they don’t like being the center of attention.

Fix: Forget about what other people might think if you come up with an idea. Remember: in the face of a good idea, politics do not matter.

Even if one of these personas should rear its ugly head, the most important thing to do is never give up on yourself or your ideas. Ideation is not easy, but it is necessary. At the root of everything in this world lies an idea; it’s the purest of all elements in innovation. So stay away from the Stagnant Sallys and Serious Sams and let your mind wander (and don’t forget to call your mother).