Business in mind.
A story on the reality of overthinking and underperforming.
A CEO, a creative director, and a senior programmer walk into a bar...on St. Patrick's Day. They sit themselves down at a dim table in a cozy corner. From here, they plan to hash out a plan for their company's new website.
When it comes time to order drinks, the CEO confidently suggests a round of martinis, his favorite drink. His thinking is not without merit; martinis are time-tested, popular, and quite likely to produce a safe and predictable response from his colleagues.
The senior programmer suggests nothing.
The creative director, not wanting to be like every other business person in the bar, suggests the three men order great Mojitos to match the "mood and color of the holiday." Thinking even further outside the box, he doubles down and suggest they help the bartender to create a whole new holiday drink that has never before been created. "Everyone will love it!" he says.
This bold move by the creative director sounds risky–not to mention expensive–to the CEO. He soon becomes fidgety. Turning to the senior programmer, the CEO boldly issues his decision: "Build me an application to solve our drink dilemma!"
The senior programmer quickly whips out his PDA, powers on its LCD, and begins typing something up in PHP. He devises an algorithm to compare the risk-to-reward ratio of ordering 17 varieties of mixed drinks of the green persuasion. He determines that the logical approach is to seek more funding for a Java application that will enable the CEO to access the results via his laptop's wireless Internet connection.
The creative director isn't convinced. He feels that the programmer is missing the mark and that the drink application will become too "techie" for his boss to operate. Plus, it's just not that pretty. Instead, he suggests designing a colorful interface that makes use of a serif font face from the Art Deco period. Furthermore, it should feature a Flash intro that dances around and makes a lot of noises when things are pushed. "Numbers don't win awards", he reminds the senior programmer. "I do."
The CEO agrees to the drink application design, but only on one condition; the Flash intro must contain a video featuring his "vision" of the perfect drink as well as his "mission" for accomplishing this vision. The CEO is forthright that he wants his face to be the brand behind the drink application.
Two hours later, the bar closes, the application is never finished and the men end up footing a $15 cover charge for zero drinks. The website was never even discussed. The night proves to be a sobering experience for the three idealists.
Of course, this anecdote is fictional, but it sheds some light on some important cocepts.
It is only mildly important TO BE objective, TO BE creative, and TO BE smart. It is more important TO EXECUTE objectively, TO EXECUTE creatively, and TO EXECUTE intelligently. Sometimes an apple martini, or even a martini with a green olive will fit the bill perfectly and effectively. It is important not to lose sight of the original objectives.
When it comes to anything that can be web based–whether that be an informational website, a web-based application, one of our niche online services, or even an online marketing campaign–our company prides itself in its ability to execute in a way that no other marketing firm or advertising agency can...in a way that no other technology company or consulting firm can. Hollman Media, LLC is located right in the middle of that corporate Bermuda Triangle that swallows up so many other companies who don't belong. We will execute with your objectives in mind. We will be smart and creative in the process. We've been doing it for a long time for a whole lot of happy people.
We are business minds with creative, online solutions.
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