Personal Interest

I am just a Girl Who Cant Say No

by noreen sullivan
Friday, September 16, 2005. 10:38AM
836 Views 3 Comments

Hi

I have not been on Adholes in a while. Or any social network really. Because I am busy putting things together. Sniper Kitten has partnered with New MBC to add an instant message client that enables file sharing and mashing. You can post video or audio and make changes and share. We began the project with the band Toto for the Japan tour. Eveyone gets a profile and a blog and a minimal version of the player the advance player has a subscription fee. It is like IM with the ability to add tracks.

I can talk about things now because Charleze Theron announced it on Good Morning America yesterday. To benefit Africa she will be hosting an after party for the Golden Globes on Jan 16 called the After Mash. Oprah's angel network will be helping to distribute the funds raised both from the event and the community. People who want to give and be involved can join this grassroots effort and get to know eachother.

We have events sponsors, off site event sponsors, and online sponsors. Working with the bands and the movies has created a buzz. Since the anouncement we have been approached by several new people saying what are you doing.

I have a very small staff and limited time. I keep saying yes I can do that. Then thinking how the heck am I going to be able to do that? Toto's tour also begins in Jan. Several of the movies we are working with have Christmas release dates.

So I guess I am asking is it ok to say my dance card is full? Or do I try to find people and train them? Which seems time consuming when there is so much to do.

It is my feeling that social networking/media cannot sustain itself unless it is part of an overall effort. These efforts can be huge. I do not want to turn away business and I do not want to set limits. But there are only so many hours in the day.

How do you do it?

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Monday, September 19, 2005. 01:29PM by shaun arora
As a permanent job hunter, I can safely say that people always complain that they need more help on projects and just can't find the right people. I say, do your best to make sure those with you are not going to burn out and walk out. And also find time to interview people. Training is a bitch, but the right people can make all the difference in the long run. And there are people who get paid to do it for you. Like specialized headhunters and temp shops and freelance networks (think elance.com) that can help.
Sunday, September 18, 2005. 07:33AM by Mark Roberts
Wow, sounds like you have a lot of cool stuff on your plate. My take is to keep saying yes but give longer lead times. "Yes I can do that, but I will need 2 weeks" When the job really needs 3 days. That way they have the choice to wait or fock off to someone else, but you still gave them an option. And if they say yes, you have work in the pipe. One problem I have had in the past is getting so slammed with current projects that I don't line up stuff for the future. So I run around like an ant until the project is over and then go "oh shit" and have to find more work.

One issue I have is people lie a whole lot when it comes to project work. Probably 25% of clients who ask about my availability are getting me to commit "just in case" the work comes through. Which would be cool if they told me, but they want me committed so they lie like a rug. I overbook myself like the airlines and things have worked out pretty well so far. It scares the crap out of me but I haven't dropped any deadlines. yet.

Friday, September 16, 2005. 11:11AM by Capers Hammond
Not sure if this is a good idea or not but is there any one in your space that you can partner with, in order to get things done. Are there freelancers that might be willing to take a 3-6 month assignemt? Might not be feasible but if you can maintain the overall account management and direction, you could take some more business on. Bottom line though if you don't hink that you will be able to succesfully handle the business, be honest with the prospect and tell them that it wouldn't be fair to anyone involved to take it on. They will respect that and it allows you to approach them in the future when you have more capacity.