Filed under: Comment
So a few weeks ago, I posted this.
Look, I know working with me is about as tempting as spending an evening in the company of the Queen Fan Club, but it’s Wieden … and NIKE … and working in the most dynamic and influential nation on the planet … surely that overcomes having to see my ugly mug every day.
Well, apparently it doesn’t, for some.
Christ, how ugly must I be?
Is it the face or the fact I wear Birkenstocks?
In all seriousness, what has surprised me is how many people said they weren’t interested the moment they found out the role was based in China.
Don’t get me wrong, I know China has ‘issues’ – especially if you have a young family – and I know on face value it’s a very daunting place … but I’m amazed how many people didn’t even want to discuss or explore the possibility of the role once they knew where it was based, even though most admitted they’d never even visited here.
Amazing.
Of course not everyone had that attitude and we’re talking to a whole bunch of interesting people, but I’m surprised that the folk most up for it weren’t planners by trade but by associated experience.
Yes, that’s right, the people who were quickest to turn down the opportunity [before they’d even been offered the opportunity] were the very folk who proudly go on and on and on about how curious and adventurous they are.
I know I shouldn’t judge … I know there are a whole heap of factors that can stop someone from exploring opportunities beyond their own shores … I know moving countries is always a big thing, but to be honest, I’m surprised how many self proclaimed ‘curious folk’ were ready to shut down their interest just because of location.
Anyway, this is just to say that working overseas is an amazing and exciting experience and even though it can be daunting, I encourage you to not let your fears create immediate barriers. By all means don’t do it if you don’t want to, but at least get all the information before you decide and if you’re still unsure what you should do, follow the advice of Richard Branson:
Filed under: Comment
So recently, I was involved in a discussion with someone about a post my esteemed colleague, Martin Weigel, had written.
What I found interesting was the tone the commentator had used in his comment was from the perspective that his view represented everyones experience and that just got on my nerves.
OK, so I acted like an immature prick by taking the piss, but the fact is, I get really annoyed when someone’s personal perspective get conveyed as if it is scientific fact.
The reality is in adland, there is rarely one answer or response and yet over and over again, I see people talk as if they had the authority of God to make big claims and views.
Sure, personal experience shapes our views, but that still doesn’t mean it reflects what everyone will encounter.
While there are many similarities in what we will encounter in this industry, the fact is there will always be slight differences between us because we’re all bloody different and to not recognise that – or worse – ignore it and state the outcome you believe will happen to every single person who goes through it, is both idiotic and egotistical.
So by all means express your point of view, but remember it’s YOUR point of view and so people are well within their rights to offer an alternative perspective.
Not because your view is wrong, but because your view is only truly right for you.
Filed under: Comment
So the Omnicom, Publicis merger is over.
There’s loads of reasons and excuses being given, but if those 2 characters above can be friends, then I can’t see for the life of me why two professional organisations can’t.
Unless – of course – they’re not as professional as they like to claim to be.
But regardless of what the real reason is, I hope they know they can now never … never, ever, ever … claim they exist to solve business problems.
Sorrell must be laughing himself stupid.
Filed under: Comment
So I recently went to a conference in Singapore and as the audience walked out for the mid-morning break, my eyes came across this …
2 samosas, a pot of chilli sauce and a strawberry … all covered in cellophane.
Jesus, how depressing … even more depressing than going out in Nottingham on a rainy Wednesday night.
Because I’m a sick bastard, I hung around because I wanted to see who would pick it up and eventually – once most people had walked back into the conference room – a Western man sheepishly walked up to the table, grabbed the food off the counter and ran away … as if being seen with it was the equivalent of being seen in bed with a sheep.
And I found that interesting.
No seriously, I did.
Because as much as China operates by group acceptance – meaning peer acceptance dictates much about how people act and interact with life – here was a Western guy operating in pretty much the same way.
And here’s the thing …
While there are many things that are different between Chinese/Asian culture and the West, a lot of the big stuff that people talk about isn’t as different as many like to say. In fact, in my experience, the really different stuff is found in the little things – the stuff many ignore because on face value, they think it’s the same as their own frame of reference – but when you dig deeper, you realise the cultural and contextual differences mean they’re miles apart and appreciating and understand that is the difference between cultural resonance and repulsion.
Filed under: Comment
Inside this little house – on the ground floor – lived a little, 90 year old, happy lady. Every time we saw each other we would say “hello” … me in bad Mandarin, her with a massive toothless smile.
Today I found out she died.
While the family have put up a lovely photo of her up in the front room, Yanqing Lu will never quite be the same for me.
RIP lovely lady, thank you for making me welcome from the moment I arrived. I won’t forget.