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[webproducers] Re: Why managers will replace "web producers"
- From: "Katherine Gray" <kat@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <webproducers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2003 16:56:49 -0800
Not that much better in the Pac NW. We've got more work than ever, but not
enough to warrant hiring another PM (we hired one in June). There are a few
companies here that are hiring, but what they're looking for is very
specialized (direct marketing/training and retail/manufacturing HR). I don't
really believe there's an appreciable difference in the number of jobs now
compared to 2 years ago. I have fewer friends out of work, but many have also
left the industry entirely.
----- Original Message -----
From: Ari Feldman
To: webproducers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Friday, December 12, 2003 12:17 PM
Subject: [webproducers] Re: Why managers will replace "web producers"
climate? depends from what perspective? there's still no
abundance of jobs, at least in the NY metro region.
--- C L <cl888@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 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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> > >
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> > >
> >
> > =====
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>
_________________________________________________________________
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__________________________________________________________________________
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