In my wife's work world, she knows several people who have gone from the client side to the advertising account or sales side. In theory, these jobs look interchangeable—in practice, they're not. The skills needed to succeed in one are not the same as in the other. My wife explained: A good client is less … Continue reading On how jobs do (or don’t) match someone’s skills
Author: T Coe
On curiosity about bioregionalism (and living along a Rocky Mountain Lower Montane-Foothill Riparian Woodland and Shrubland system)
One of the most illuminating parts of Jenny Odell's book How to Do Nothing was her explanation of the value of bioregionalism. I'd encountered the idea elsewhere, but Odell's insistence on its importance, about the value of place and location—if we are to resist the powerful lure of the attention economy—was just the angle I … Continue reading On curiosity about bioregionalism (and living along a Rocky Mountain Lower Montane-Foothill Riparian Woodland and Shrubland system)
On wondering how to teach writing to architects
As the firm I work for has grown the past few years, I've run up into a repeated problem: I don't have enough time to market every project. The solution seemed obvious: another marketer. With another marketer in the firm, we could tackle it all and make it work, giving every project the marketing support … Continue reading On wondering how to teach writing to architects
On admiring those who pick up the phone and make calls
I used to dread picking up the phone at to make a work call. If I had to made a work call, I'd procrastinate until the last minute. Even calling colleagues was dread-inducing. I've gotten over this dread...for the most part. But it came back to me this week, as it does occasionally, when I … Continue reading On admiring those who pick up the phone and make calls
On being a better listener (and not holding on to what I want to say)
Sometimes during a conversation, I'm reminded of classroom discussions in college. I was lucky enough to attend a small liberal arts college where many classes were "discussion-based" rather than lectures or seminars, usually with 12-15 students in a given class. I remember the situation very clearly: I am sitting there in class. Someone is saying … Continue reading On being a better listener (and not holding on to what I want to say)
On 7 things from last week (2/20/23)
It's been winter (and snowy), so the Ralston Creek Trail that runs behind our house hasn't gotten the use it normally would in warmer weather. So, it was a treat to go for a morning run AND an afternoon stroll out there this past weekend. Like everyone else interested in popular music, I've been listening … Continue reading On 7 things from last week (2/20/23)
On the right number of people for meetings
Over the past few years the firm I work for has grown—and so has the size of the leadership. I'm fortunate to be in the leadership group of the firm, and more fortunate still to work for a firm that is serious about creating actual leadership opportunities for Associates, making it more than just a … Continue reading On the right number of people for meetings
On moving past the founders
A few years ago, prepping for a firm anniversary, I had the chance to interview one of the founders. I'd met him only briefly when he'd popped into the office, but I hadn't worked with him—he'd retired years before I joined. Before chatting with him, though, I had a curious request from one of the … Continue reading On moving past the founders
On saying no (or yes) to problem clients, Part 2
I had more to say about "problem clients," so here's Part 2. (Part 1 is here.) There's one common justification I hear for taking a "problem client." (By "problem client," I refer to those clients who pose some form of ethical discomfort for firm employees. How you define a "problem client" depends, obviously, on who … Continue reading On saying no (or yes) to problem clients, Part 2
On saying no (or yes) to problem clients, Part 1
Because I'm on the front end of projects, sometimes I'm in a position to say no to them. When you see professional service firms doing work for unsavory clients, it can be easy on the outside to cast stones. But from the inside, it's not so easy. Last year, my firm received an RFP from … Continue reading On saying no (or yes) to problem clients, Part 1
Taylor Coe 