I’ve developed some interesting talents in the past few months. Tarot cards, deliverable
projecting, palm readings, horoscopes, traffic management, mind reading. You know, the
usual.
Surprisingly enough, though I can manage the flow of work through the agency, check on
deliverables and remember countless dates and status reports, I cannot, in fact, climb into
your head and replay the conversation you just had with your client pushing the project
schedule back three weeks.
Please excuse me while I go reassemble the carefully monitored schedule that’s totally
shot to shit.
In all fairness – that reenactment may be a bit extreme (but it sure makes for a better blog
post). Being a small firm, we naturally communicate with each other all day long.
BKWLD is taking big steps forward in the traffic department, building on some of our
established-yet-informal processes, making them more efficient and consistent. The
OCD organizer in me is thrilled – within reason. We’re not there yet, but the guys are
embracing the system. Friday Flex Day is like the new recess and The Emails are gettin’
some love. We’re in it together because I’m new to the process too.
Trained in traditional PR agencies, I was not truly acquainted with traffic management
like this until I joined BKWLD. As I take on a new set of responsibilities, I’ve been
reaching out to some amazing TM’s from agencies across the country and sifting through
all of the advice (if you know of any put me in contact!). Finding out more about the
qualities of a good traffic manager is like reading a personality profile. Efficient.
Effective. Communicator. Positive. Organized. “A traffic system is only as efficient as
the employee managing it”. I think I’m in love.
My phrase of the moment is: ‘The more you tell me about your project the more I can
help you run it smoothly’. I’m a naturally curious person and I always want to know all
that I can. Now it’s my job to keep tabs on everything and everyone in the agency. I’m
your best friend and your worst enemy.
Now send me your updated RQD.
~Originally published on the BKWLD blog