Can your internal team handle the project?

In the professional services arena, there are times when a major project you are asked to handle begins with the attitude, “I can do that – no problem.” But, over time the project morphs into a huge gorilla that dominates your thoughts. As a result, you can’t eat, you can’t sleep, you spend too many hours worrying about the project. It’s almost as if that big project is stalking you. Maybe it’s a website. It could be a major report designed to bring in new business or obtain additional funding. Perhaps it’s a marketing event or seminar – where content and branding must align. Maybe your staff needs to be trained in using social media to reflect well on your business or organization. 

Consider your team when starting a project.
Photo by Liz Cezat. Heard Museum, Phoenix, AZ

There could be several reasons for fear (or inaction) related to the project:

1.     It’s beyond your scope of expertise.

2.     You have the skills to do it, but don’t have time to complete it.

3.     You are a team of one, and you need the right people on board to make it happen.

4.     You have no interest in doing it. It’s outside your comfort zone of capability and you don’t have the time or patience for the learning curve.

5.     You’ve done it so many times, you want “fresh eyes” on the project. That way, you can take on new projects that do excite you.

To determine how you should approach this project, ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I have the right tools?
       2. Do I have people with the right skills to successfully complete the project?
       3. Have I set a realistic timeline for completion?
       4. Have I outlined the essential action steps from beginning to end?
       5. Do I have a realistic budget for this project?
       6. Once I complete the project, what benefits will my business or organization gain
           from it?

These are the essential questions that can put you in control when assessing whether to take on the project in-house or outsource it.

Above all, be realistic in what you can achieve. The right approach along with the right attitude can put you miles ahead in getting the project accomplished.

You can rely on the services of Cezat Creative Resources, Inc. to handle projects without the need for a retainer. We don’t rest on our laurels. Each project brings out our creative genius. We typically bill by the project, and welcome projects that are used for marketing, sales, training, fund-raising and overall communication. Our professional team handles writing and editing, graphic design, photography, website development and presentations. Take the first step: www.cezatcreative.com

Updating or creating a website?

If you are revamping your website, it can seem like an overwhelming task. The key is to break it down into manageable segments. Consider the design – are you going “custom” or using a design template? A custom design allows your company’s personality to shine through. It allows your branding elements of a logo, color palette and preferred typeface to convey your image in a professional manner. There is a place for template design websites – typically when you are starting out with only a few bucks to spend.

When developing content, set up a structure – also known as a wire frame or site architecture. What will appear on your landing page? How many main pages should you have and what subjects will appear on these master pages? Once you know the main subjects, parse those out into sub-pages with more detailed information. Figuring out the site organization is akin to doing a flow chart or organizational chart. It’s a matter of hierarchy – put your most important topics on main pages and branch out with sub pages.

What tabs will you need for the subject headings? Horizontal tabs are most commonly used. Vertical tabs have their place – typically when a website has loads of information.

Keep your information short with a click-on box for more content (See the samples on my website). The information seen before scrolling down is the most widely viewed. Many viewers won’t bother to scroll down unless they really like what they see.

Keep the copy short and snappy. Every word you use must carry its own weight. Edit mercilessly. Keep product or service features and benefits short but descriptive. Leave nothing to the viewer’s imagination. Spell out everything you want them to know. 

What’s the call to action? Typically to call or send in an e-mail inquiry. Also let viewers connect with you online through Twitter, Facebook, Linked In, etc. Give them multiple ways to get in touch with you and learn more about you and your products or services.

And if you’re looking for a good website copy writer who works well with web designers, give me a shout out. (Oh, I mean send me an e-mail or call.)

Welcome to the 21st Century cyclone

It’s almost a natural disaster. But, alas, it’s mostly man-made. I’m talking about the financial meltdown/sub-prime mortgage crisis/manufacturing base erosion/and conversion to the Web that has upended a lot of industries. As we sort out what works best and will sustain us economically over the next few decades, if not longer…let’s not lose sight of excellence. If people continue to do what they do best, what they are passionate about, and what they have a strong interest in, how can we go wrong?

Certainly, I hope my business will survive. I know the editing, design and production process. I’m a skilled writer and I work with some very talented people and outstanding suppliers. We like what we do, some of us even love it and wouldn’t want to do anything else. Right now, I’m trying to apply my strengths to new venues like presentations. Perhaps in addition to writing and producing annual reports, newsletters and brochures, my company can produce anniversary books for companies or memory books for families of the recently departed.

If you love what you do, how can you stretch that to new markets or different industries? Can you turn your hobby into a business while you keep your day job (if you have one)? Can you partner with someone in a similar industry for added strength and resilience?

Think back to how you made it in your career or business. Who helped you? Are you extending that help to others? Like the people of Fargo, N.D., we need to come together in times of crisis and prevent the worst from happening. Let’s rally behind the producers in this economy, not the shakers and takers.