I will be doing some signs for a church, and have to iron out details with a small group of folks. Rather than just going thru emails with communications, they were wanting me to "simply things" by signing up to an app called Asana. I reluctantly do so, and find things all outlined by dates of the "tasks" (printing, install etc) of "phase one of sign project" . I find my own emails on there, but none of the others communications. So, of course there is some clitches in this "time saving" app.
Heaven help me ... they want me to spend time on this stupid stuff instead of actually getting their work done for them?
I'm getting weary. LOL
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Janette...Over the years I always found it best to deal directly, face to face, with the person who is going to be signing the check.
All the others who are on a committee are people who waste everyone's time.
Save yourself headaches and frustration, only deal with the "check signer".
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
What Dave said......!
Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on :
Agree totally with the above. All the technology can be great......if everything works as planned.
But, all this "stuff" has made many facets of our lives very impersonal. I've always felt it was important to know who I'm dealing with, and vice versa. It's important to get a "feel" for the job or project at hand.
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
Chip Carter quoted me the following poem a while back:
If you check every monument in every city, You'll never find a statue to a committee!
Posted by Rodger MacMunn (Member # 4316) on :
I don't recall whether I saw this on TV or I actually met this person, but there was this rather large man who said "I like to do my business belly-to-belly". I'll put up with a little of their "tweaking" but not much ....
Posted by Dan Beach (Member # 9850) on :
I use Asana every day.
If you want some one else to do something for you, assign a task to yourself, then create subtasks for other people. It will then show up in your list AND in theirs. If you assign just a task to someone else, it disappears from your list.
You should also use the tagging feature, with something like "sign" That way you can search for all "sign" related tasks with that tag.
Add people as followers to keep them in the loop. Or you can tag people in the comments section by using @ then typing their name. If they are a follower of the task or tagging in the comments they will get an email notification of changes to that task.
Knowing the program definitely helps you get more out of it.
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
In dealing with committees I have one requirement that is stated upfront and adhered to religiously - you guys can have all the discussions you want, but I will only listen to one person - you choose who that will be.
I'll set in on the committee meeting (once) and answer all the questions they have but only one person is the "official" voice for the whole group. They get together and make any decisions they want, or changes, but only one person relays that to me.
It solves a lot of problems before they happen.
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
In response to Dan's comment. I think yes, if you know a program, already have it, and use it regularily it's probably great. But I don't intend on signing on and learning every program a committee will throw at me, just to communicate and discuss a job. I can work much more expediently without the added distraction of learning a new organizational communication program. Besides, I'm finding that with all this new technology in the mix ... messages still don't seem to get thru because not everyone is on the same page with the devices. Then you are wasting time getting everyone up to speed on how the damn thing works, rather than uh .... oh yeah .... the sign. I'm not at all opposed to technology ... but I do believe there is a point where we are being distracted by it rather than working effectively at what we really need to be getting done.
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Nettie .... listen to Raymond!
I have used that same method when dealing with committees, with a slight change ... if anyone other than the designated person tries to contact me ... I will quit the project!
Worked well for me!
Posted by Dan Beach (Member # 9850) on :
It does sound like a poor use of the program in this case.
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
Call me a Luddite, but doesn't anybody just go to work anymore. I can hear or read it now,,"Oh, you haven't logged into your Asana account. We need to know how the job is progressing. We may need to make changes as we go along." Yeah, right.
Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :
Bypass all that sweetness and head deep into your inner Sagitagrian, there you will find a section called bluntness......use it. Posted by Susan Banasky (Member # 1164) on :
Janette, The time wasted (learning that program just to pacify some committee) is time you will NEVER get back....keep it simple...learn from the comments already posted. Good luck.
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
Janette,
Keep your dignity in place, girl......and let "the committee" show some respect to you, as the professional that you are......Let them deal with you, on your terms......Make them come to your office or studio, where you are in control, and lay out the rules of the game. Stay on course, girl.
I wonder...if any other professional would be willing to submit to such a blatant display of arrogance, from the members of "the committee", just to get the job?......I, also, wonder if our friends, the "beloved architects", would be willing to comply with the members of "the committee", just to get the job.......I would pay to see that happen.
Maybe, I am wrong, here.....Probably, because I am and old school Sign Painter......But I stick to what I have said......Every day of the week and twice on Sunday !
RD
'
[ November 07, 2014, 09:03 PM: Message edited by: Ricardo Davila ]
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
No way. No more email. Nope, None. Its either in person or forget it.
Just wait until that one moron tries to pull a fast one over some email communications.
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
Face to face, not with committees, no sample sketches. just my take.
Let them know you are the ultimate and have personal service, (not minimalized to a computer program some nephew wrote, lol).
When they meet you Janette, they will buy the sign just because it's you...
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