[webproducers] Re: Why managers will replace "web producers"
- From: Ari Feldman <outdoorminer2002@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: webproducers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2003 13:34:29 -0800 (PST)
Hmm..what reports are you referring to? Please don't say general
economic reports as most current job growth is strictly
temporary/seasonal and/or low-wage.
As for me, things have certainly improved especially when
compared to that dark, protracted and very unpleasant period of
unemployment/underployment that I endured between 2001 and 2002.
At least I'm working f/t now, can still pay my rent and can
afford to eat things other than various flavors of Ramen.
That being said, I work for a not-for-profit, which pays
appreciably less than what another organization might pay for
the same skills and experience but the trade off is increased
stability and "banker's" hours.
Anyway, I don't chalk up my having a job to improved market
conditions AT ALL. The fact is, I had so many interviews that I
was statistically due to get something eventually.
Although I haven't really been looking, I also haven't seen much
out there worth noting. Unless you've been under a rock since
2000 you'll remember that there's not much of an industry left
and even the big agencies (not indy shops) and media companies
have pared down their interactive groups to 1995 staffing levels
and are very tight with hiring. Worthwhile freelance projects
still seem scarce as well.
Do I think things are worse? No. However, I don't see them as
significantly better either. Perhaps next year will bring badly
needed improvements? Time will ultimately tell.
--- C L <cl888@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> There's reports, etc that the market has improved
> tremendously, etc., but is
> that actually what people are experiencing first-hand? I've
> thrown the
> question out there as I haven't been experiencing first hand
> myself.
>
> Thanks.
>
> .chang
>
>
> >From: Ari Feldman <outdoorminer2002@xxxxxxxxx>
> >Reply-To: webproducers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >To: webproducers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >Subject: [webproducers] Re: Why managers will replace "web
> producers"
> >Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2003 12:17:04 -0800 (PST)
> >
> >
> >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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