Telfer

Early this morning I found my way to the new Telfer School of Management building on University of Ottawa's Campus. gordongroup was invited to speak to students about brand, marketing and self promotion. This occasion allowed me to share some of my beliefs and ideas with others. gordongroup has had the good fortune to be partner to the University over the last few years. We started earlier on when we were engaged to do strategic work and launch a rebrand program to support raising the institutions profile. For people in the Ottawa region and beyond the phrase "Canada's University" is immediately recognizable. This apt tag line for a centre of learning excellence in the heart of the nations capital has contributed to building their brand in a meaningful way.

For the last two years we have acted as Agency of Record managing the Universities advertising outreach. Having the privilege to meet people who attend the University in support of their learning effort today was very rewarding for me. The format was arranged with approximately 2 hours of engaging conversation focussed on risk taking, differentiating, goal setting, defining our personal leadership attributes and other core ideas around getting ahead in life. These are shared themes among leaders. The emphasis may shift over time or we may look at these themes with different perspective but for those who strive to forge new ground and believe in making a difference these ideas certainly will support the pathway forward. Oh and one other important conversation point eliminate inhibition!


The profound, thoughtful questions raised demonstrated the passion and drive among the people I was introduced to. Being among people who extended to me a warm and intellectual reception was a privilege and honor. I'm thankful to everyone at gordongroup for the opportunity to represent them to various forums and outreach situations the combined effort of those who have contributed to the companies growth has made it what it is today. We look forward to continued good relations with...
..."Canada's University".

Times they are a changing

We're heading into winter and we've experienced more then season changes in the last few months. I've been delinquent posting for the last while. The company changed ownership in the summer with our great friend, ally and business partner Mary Dila leaving the triumvirate. She's off on a new path with family taking on new challenges and charting a new course. Partnerships for me have been highly collaborative successful business arrangements. We have now put in twenty two years offering services under the umbrella of marketing (brand) and communications. Partnering with others who extend their great skills, acumen and sensibilities to the program certainly for me has made a big difference in gordongroup's success and vitality. On that note my good friend Howard Whittaker has been with me from the start he has witnessed with me the many trials and tribulations over these years dealing in image and outreach. I believe he is someone who has a passion for the details and the inner workings of the organizations machinery. That highly valued skill is direct compliment to my no holds barred attitude to getting on with things. Earlier on another great influencer and friend Peter Moskos an educator and philosopher joined into the gordon partner compliment. Peter was a remarkable force building the companies reputation as a leader in the writing space. This link brought the essential "words" element to the offering. We've been selling pictures and words now for over two decades. Peter set the foundation for extending his vision out to our internal team and beyond to so many different clients who have come to rely on our experts for their wordsmith excellence. Mary joined the partnership about nine years ago she has been instrumental building the company with class and strategic insight. Partners are a good thing. Whatever happens in the days and weeks ahead my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for having Peter and Mary as partners, friends and great allies in business adventure will always remain strong.

Documenting Neighbours

We're well on our way to having this remarkable story prepared for sharing with the Cree people of Northern Quebec and their future generations. The support from everyone associated on the assignment has been overwhelming. This is a James Bay Cree story told by many participants primarily the James Bay Cree people themselves. A celebration of their leadership, tradition and culture all with the magnificent backdrop of land and waterways they call home. This documentary series reflects an authentic view of a great people whom we are privileged to know and have as neighbour's in the north.

Brand

new online experience

Design in the Nations Capital

I received notice that the local chapter of Registered Graphic Designers is getting together to look at how to improve the buying practices of the federal government. The plan is to have a "town hall" meeting later this week. I have been invited along with other representatives from different firms here in Ottawa to take part in this forum in order to establish what can be done to raise the perceptions about the importance and value of design. The intent is to get advice from a hired lobbyist who will present the designer audience options on how to best appeal to the Fed's on better rates and more competitive hiring practices.

I was notified that the underlying issues that are impacting our design community include the very low rates that our profession has to compete against. This is primarily due to "low ballers" who regardless of how low the bar is set will bring the hrly rate even lower. The policy is to accept the lowest offer. This is a threat to anyone who is competing on cost and has difficulty differentiating with other capabilities or service lines. I gather the freelancer is likely exposed here to some slugging it out with aggressive costing offers from others who are either new entries into the market or the opportunities have become very slim from the client side and this has caused extreme downward pressure on those competing for fewer opportunities to slash their rates to maximize their chances to sustaining business.

Both scenario's point to an unfortunate environment for individuals who rely on engagements and have become accustom to a standard of living based on government procurement . I have been fortunate working over the years with many clients within government. We have a good grasp of the demands on our clients to act in the interests of the public to ensure the Crown receives value.

Three areas of risk that have set the criteria for this low rate/hiring debacle.

1. The organization has to make an investment in the "design imperative" and understand "design value". Where within this administration is design leadership? We know pockets exist but the idea of central design leadership is absent from the organization. Who is our government's "brand manager"?

2. Design versus technology. This gets at the core of the problem. The technology faction has smothered the value and importance of design. This may be the Mac versus Microsoft metaphor. Technology has
put very clear silos around design. Design for example is the "skin" on a web site. This suggests the designer is responsible for the elements on the cover not the architecture, development and technology aspects. These competencies fall to the technologists.

3. Designers today need to be on a team because clients want integrated solutions.

Education has to be a core objective going forward. Designers need tp assert two or three core reason's that clearly inform and impart to their market what the value of design means. Consensus on what value design brings is the first step in re building the market. Combine design education from the private sector with a central design Czar or program that is in charge of the public service brand and extends to industry recognition for excellence and celebrates great achievements in all things design in Canada.

The board for this program would be made up of industrial design leaders, graphic design, fashion people, architects, brand experts and others who make their living in the design community.

Two countries that celebrate design as a core value:
http://www.danishedge.dk/visForside.asp?artikelID=1573
http://www.designmuseum.org/