FreeLists / webproducers / [webproducers] Re: Why managers will replace "web producers"

[Ari Feldman <outdoorminer2002@xxxxxxxxx>]

While I realize the importance of having a "can do" attitude, I
don't put much faith in personality tests to identify or
categorize candidates unless they're administered by a Ph.D in
psychology.

Actions and past performance speak louder than how one comes
across on a standardized test.

Just my two cents. Your mileage may vary.


--- Traci.Johnson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> 
> 
> Anyone familar with the Belbin Roles?
> Anyway, great "personality" profile type of thing is attached.
>  The
> descriptions can be a bit negative, but you get the gist.
> The purpose of this test is to be used in a group setting.
>  Idea behind it
> is that a good team has each of these roles on it (or members
> that service
> as two of the roles sometimes).  The job of the project lead
> is to identify
> who on their team is what role, then draw their natural role
> out in the
> group environment -- all for the better of the project.  For
> example, your
> "Plant" is your idea person, they need to be involved in the
> beginning for
> ideas/brainstorming -- but don't give them any detail work
> that needs to be
> completed on time.  Anyway, I've found a person with a mix of
> "implementor", "co-ordinator" and/or "completer/finisher" make
> good
> producers.
> Enjoy!
> Traci
>
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> ||   "C L"                |                                   
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> ||   <cl888@xxxxxxxxxxx>  |           To:                     
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> ||   Sent by:             |   webproducers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx      
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> ||   webproducers-bounce@f|           cc:                     
>            |
> ||   reelists.org         |           Subject:      
>  [webproducers] Re:  |
> ||                        |   Why managers will replace "web
> producers"   |
> ||   12/12/2003 02:45 PM  |                                   
>            |
> ||   Please respond to    |                                   
>            |
> ||   webproducers         |                                   
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> ||                        |                                   
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> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Well Said.  I've been in several different positions as both
> project
> manager
> and producer, with the only differentiation being that I
> focused more on
> being hands on for the front-end as a producer and more on
> proposals/budgeting/documenting as a PM.  I think trying to
> get programmers
> to track hours in general is pretty hard, as most don't seem
> to be
> comfortable with it.  I find that many programmers find it
> difficult to
> stipulate exactly which hours went into which project, if
> they're working
> on
> several projects simultaneously (almost always).
> 
> As you've mentioned, good producers are more born than
> trained, as I think
> it's more about particular personality and work traits.  A
> good producer
> should be able to see the entire forest and the trees (you
> don't have to
> see
> each leaf, but every tree), also knowing that if one tree gets
> burned,
> there's still a forest, but the fire might spread.
> 
> Personally, I tend to be fairly technical, probably since I'm
> not a total
> creative myself (started out coding and not designing).  I've
> done stints
> where I did strictly design and others where I've done
> strictly
> coding/programming, but mostly, I've done a good mixture of
> both.  So am I
> a
> technical that can't manage creatives or a creative that can't
> manage
> technicals?  Hmm...  Hopefully I'm good at managing both the
> creative and
> technical (which I feel is one of my strengths at any rate).
> 
> Speaking of running companies, I've been meaning to ask -
> what's the
> general
> climate out there?  I've been isolated in working with a
> non-profit and
> freelancing strictly with past clients.  I'll be re-entering
> the workforce
> full-time next year (hopefully - as long as I can find work),
> so I'd
> appreciate any comments.
> 
> Chang Lee
> 
> 
> >From: "Katherine Gray" <kat@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >Reply-To: webproducers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >To: <webproducers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >Subject: [webproducers] Re: Why managers will replace "web
> producers"
> >Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2003 11:21:09 -0800
> >
> >I totally agree. Since I run my company I don't have to worry
> about those
> >things like I used to, but that was my number one reason why
> I wanted to
> >run the show. At my last gig I was the producer for a small
> creative shop
> >that was acquired by a large technical staff-aug company.
> After the
> merger,
> >I was supposed to be responsible for a schedule and a budget
> for projects
> >where half of my team (the programmers) didn't actually
> report to me, but
> >to the tech lead, and I never had access to their hours
> spent! And the
> tech
> >director told them they didn't actually have to track hours!
> It was a
> joke.
> >Of course, it all ended rather dramatically in late 2000.
> >Michael, my favorite from your list is number 2. You have to
> have good
> >instincts to do this job. It's making me more and more
> convinced that good
> >producers are born (and made better with experience) and that
> it's very
> >difficult to take someone from say, sales or marketing, and
> turn them into
> >a producer. And not just because of the lack of technical
> background. We
> >concentrate on front-end work so I'm never as concerned about
> this and
> >actually find that former programmers tend not to manage
> creatives very
> >well. It's just hard to teach people how to navigate a
> project with their
> >antennae up and teach them to be cautious and always thing
> ahead to the
> >consequences of a decision without being a micromanager and
> driving
> >everyone crazy.
> >   ----- Original Message -----
> >   From: Ari Feldman
> >   To: webproducers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >   Sent: Friday, December 12, 2003 4:23 AM
> >   Subject: [webproducers] Re: Why managers will replace "web
> producers"
> >
> >
> >
> >   interesting. the term "producer" has been ambiguous since
> 1997
> >   or so. i've held that title since but did 99% of what you
> >   outlined below.
> >
> >   of the points you mentioned, having total responsibility
> for a
> >   given project and the team's actions *but* not being able
> to
> >   burn people for screwing around or institute change has
> and
> >   continues to be one of the most frustrating aspects of the
> role.
> >
> >
> >
> >   --- Michael James Pinto <michaeljamespinto@xxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
> >   > --- Katherine Gray <kat@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> >   > > As we're hiring new producers and developing our
> training
> >   > methodology, one of our advisors has
> >   > > asked us to define what a good producer/project
> manager
> >   > looks like. What are the qualities and
> >   > > skills you all think define a good producer?
> >   > > I'll start:
> >   >
> >   > I think producer seems to be a code word for a
> >   > "manager who has the risks but not the power to
> >   > make change". I blame books like the "Mythical
> >   > Man Month" for the view of managers being equal
> >   > to programmers, or even in supportng roles. This
> >   > point of view played a direct role in many failed
> >   > dot.bomb projects.
> >   >
> >   > Here is my post dot.bomb qualifications:
> >   >
> >   > 1. The ability to identify slackers and fire them.
> >   > 2. The ability to smell BS a mile away.
> >   > 3. Revolts against "not invented here".
> >   > 4. If managing programmers, should have programmed
> >   >    in the past.
> >   > 5. Attention to detail.
> >   > 6. Can write worth a damn.
> >   > 7. Can say "NO" but not piss off.
> >   > 8. Knows how to research.
> >   > 9. Knows how to say "I don't know the answer to that,
> >   >    but I'll find out."
> >   > 10. Won't build a Ferrari when you need a Honda Civic.
> >   > 11. Can explain the technical in plain English
> >   >     sans buzz words but not be patronizing.
> >   > 12. Can track a project without a "management program".
> >   > 13. Can take good notes.
> >   > 14. Proactively organizes, but not goldbricking.
> >   > 15. Calls the client before the client calls them.
> >   > 16. Understands the need for QA.
> >   > 17. Understands "critical path".
> >   > 18. Doesn't procrastinate.
> >   > 19. Stops mission creep.
> >   > 20. Get it in writing, put it in writing.
> >   >
> >   > I submit the above is not a "producer" but is a
> >   > classic description of a manager. I will never hire
> >   > a "web producer" or create a job with that description.
> >   > Like the job title "webmaster" what web producers did
> >   > will evolve into different roles.
> >   >
> >   >
> >   >
> >   >
> >   >
> >   >
> >   > =====
> >   > Michael James Pinto | http://www.vm.com |
> http://www.anime.com
> >   >
> >   >
> >   > Upgrade to Clark: http://www.clark04.com |
> >   > http://www.nyforclark.com
> >   >
> >   > Join my list on the arts & technology:
> >   > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EIA_list
> >   >
> >
>
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