With just one week with to go, I am working through final touches on a few presentations, getting all the details together for a special edition of “Talk Story with Jeni”, putting the household in order including all the preparations for my daughter’s high school graduation and, of course, today will be spent shopping for that next pair of kick-ass shoes!
Here’s what’s happening as my preparations escalate. I’ll be doing my ever-popular chargeback workshop as a conference kick-off. This is not to be missed if you work in-house and are looking for the key (yes, the key) to proving your value to your organization. Titled “ Making Money Count and Value Real”, the workshop will be 3-hours long and walk attendees through the entire process of establishing a chargeback system that requires no executive approval and no exchange of monies. I call it a pseudo-chargeback system as it utilizes all the concepts of proper accounting practices but doesn’t require a departmental or corporate overhaul.
Additionally, I’ll be conducting a session titled “Becoming Priceless to Your Company” where we will build a toolkit of ideas and action plans attendees can take back to the office making themselves (and the team), PRICELESS to the organization.
And for the most exciting addition to the HOW Conference line-up… drum roll, please… a very Special Edition of my hit blog-radio show, “Talk Story with Jeni”. Years ago, my two dear friends and I were riding up the escalator of the conference in Boston. From behind we heard a voice yell out, “Hey, it’s speakers gone wild”. Steve, Jeff and I looked at each other, started laughing hysterically and at that moment decided that name would stick! After years of pitching the idea of the three of us conducting an open forum session for attendees to join in and discuss what’s really at the core of a designer’s soul, we did it! A week from Tuesday, Steve, Jeff and HOW magazine’s editor, Bryn will join me over the airwaves and discuss life, leisure and, of course, the industry of design. Don’t miss this event!
For more information on the HOW Conference, June 6-9, visit http://howconference.com
When you look at the creative industry over the past few decades, the changes we have witnessed are amazing. What was once a profession based only in print and media is now a profession that touches virtually ever aspect of daily life. Consumers require more stimulation and expect to see strong visual representation and functionality. Our clients look to us to take their products to market and expect a high return on investment.
Connecting to your projects and your clients is not always an easy thing to do. Often the design profession is seen as interesting and glamorous, a fun and sexy profession where you get to play on a computer and work with exciting products day in and day out, creating beautiful visual pieces. Truthfully, that is often not the case. Particularly when you are working on projects or with clients that are difficult to connect with.
Being a good designer may be enough for some people; obtaining a degree from art school, mastering all the right design programs, winning a design award here or there, getting a job with a well known company or firm. All of these markers indeed warrant the title of ‘designer’. The question is this – is that enough for you?
Have you ever been asked to describe yourself in just 7 words? Me neither. But if you were to do so, what would you say? My dear friend, 
