Krazee Designz Professional Blog

Are You Being Lied to at Work?

21 Apr 2008 08:18:52 pm GMT -5

[i]How many times has your business suffered because you trusted the wrong person? [/i] If you're like most people, you've been lied to thousands of times. Deception hurts in many ways. There's the emotional stress from being betrayed, the loss of self-confidence and the increased suspicion or even paranoia. Not to mention the financial cost. A deceptive supplier may promise that a shipment will arrive by your deadline, all the while knowing that delivery by the promised date is impossible. Trusting this supplier could cost your company thousands of dollars or more. Deceptions like this can be deadly to a growing business. But you don't have to be a victim. Here are seven subtle cues that often mean a person isn't being completely honest with you. 1.[b] Nose touch: [/b]We have erectile tissues in our noses, which engorge with blood when we lie. This causes a tingling or itching sensation that requires a nose touch to satisfy. The absence of a nose touch doesn't guarantee truth, but the presence of a nose touch often means deception. Of course, sometimes a person will touch his or her nose because of a non-deceptive cause, such as a cold. With some practice, you can quickly learn to distinguish a deceptive nose touch from something innocent. 2. [b]Speech disturbances: [/b]When we lie, we force our brain to pretend that the lie is true, that the truth is a lie and simultaneously remember that the real truth is that each is the other. Are you confused? So is your brain when you lie. The process of deception taxes our cognitive ability to think efficiently. So when we lie, we pause longer and speak slower than normal and often experience speech disturbances that serve as gap fillers, such as "um," "er" and "ah." Train yourself to look for deception when you hear this kind of verbal cue. 3. [b]Incongruent behavior: [/b]When our words and our body language don't agree, our communication is incongruent. Imagine that you ask a salesman if he can assure your delivery will be on time. If he explains how certain he is about it being on time while also shaking his head--as if non-verbally saying "no"--he is incongruent. When this sort of incongruence occurs, you would do well to believe the person's body over his words. 4. [b]Neck rub: [/b]We rub our necks because of the stress we experience when we feel that an obstacle may be insurmountable. Let's say you're interviewing a potential employee for a key leadership position and the prospective employee verbally emphasizes his interest in the job. However he also begins to rub his neck when you explain the expected duties. This probably means he doesn't feel he'll be able to accomplish the duties. He might be wrong, but if we know anything about human psychology, it's that if someone believes that they can or can't do something, they're probably right. 5. [b]Eye rub: [/b]An eye rub is an indicator of disbelief. Let's say you have an important computer keystroke sequence to teach a new employee. The employee begins to rub her eyes even while verbally affirming your statements. This probably means that she doesn't believe you or disagrees with your instruction. It would be wise to stop and ask a question to allow the employee to verbally object. Many subordinates feel uneasy about disagreeing with the boss, but their bodies don't hesitate. Perceiving a potential problem and dealing with it early can be the difference between a simple misunderstanding and a business disaster. 6. [b]Upward inflections: [/b]We upwardly inflect our words when asking a question. You may have noticed that some salespeople will upwardly inflect certain statements of fact. This is a red flag that should alert you to potential deception. The salesman might say, "Your competitors have seen their profit margins increase by 30 percent by using our product." If you notice that he upwardly inflected the words, "30 percent," you should disregard this statistic and be suspicious of him altogether. 7. [b]Stabbed hollows:[/b] In the study of graphology--or handwriting analysis--hollow letters represent honesty. Anything that disrupts a hollow letter could indicate deception. Let's pretend you enter your office to find a note from your top salesman on your desk. His note indicates that he had to go out of town to visit his sick mother and won't be able to go to the annual trade show. You notice that every "o" in his note has some sort of mark interjected into the hollow space of each letter. You would be right to be suspicious of the facts in the note and a phone call or meeting would likely expose some sort of deception. With some practice, these new awareness tools will give you greater confidence in your perceptive ability and new peace of mind when deciding to trust others....

When, Why and How to Fire a Client

11 Jul 2006 01:18:00 am GMT -5

The relationship between a graphic designer and a client is very similar to a marriage. It requires trust, loyalty and communication for a successful relationship. In business as in life, relationships do not always last and they can have the same emotional and financial impact as a divorce. In business it's important to evaluate the difference between a valid reason for severing the relationship and one based on emotions and frustration. Let's take a closer look at some of the common pitfalls in the designer/client relationship and how to navigate the best course. Separating Emotion and Fact Just like any marriage, sometimes you can't wait for the other person to get home and other times you wish they would get hit by a train so you wouldn't have to deal with them. Both of these emotional responses are based on the current situation and not on the relationship as a whole. Choosing to terminate a client because they are a little difficult at times or want to butcher a concept you absolutely love is not grounds to drop them and move on. You always need to keep the bottom line in mind especially if you are just starting out in the design. I have realized that if I have a difficult client, many times it means I have failed to adjust myself or educate them properly about the business side and creative process of graphic design. Some clients see the fee structure as unfair and balk at making a deposit or paying for revisions. Others feel intimidated by design and they feel they have to make some change to exert their power. Explaining each step of the process, defining their role and providing clearly written contracts can eliminate many of the common problems. I was given a referral a few years ago with the preface that the client was "somewhat" hard to handle and could be a bully if given the chance. The client's associate called to say they were interviewing designers and he would like to schedule a time to meet. I expressed that I did not do interviews, my portfolio was available online and I would be happy to meet with them when they had a specific project to discuss. They called back an hour later and asked that I come in to talk about a project they needed. To sum it up. The client was odd and difficult at best, but I explained the framework for developing and completing a project, had precise contracts that I went over in detail with an explanation of what constituted a revision and how they would be billed. In reality, he had worked with inexperienced designers in the past and didn't have a good framework and set of guidelines to work through the creative process. I did have to stand my ground initially several times and refer back to the contract, but he paid me well and the extra effort was worth it. Eventually, he did not pay me for several revisions to his website, so I pulled it down. I got a hail storm of letters from his lawyer threatening thousands of dollars in damages. Upon sending a copy of the signed contract and an offer to settle; the letters stopped. I later heard back from his secretary that his lawyer recommended the settlement and avoiding litigation. In the end the client moved on and has gone through two other designers since me. I lost a little money, but in the long run I was ahead financially and gained some valuable experience. When to Pull the Trigger Nonpayment is the most obvious reason for terminating a client, since it is an obvious breach of trust. You also have to rely on them to be honest with you about budgets, timeframes and will not use your design or print proposal as leverage to get a better price from other vendors. If you find a pattern of dishonesty developing it is time to seriously reevaluate your situation. There are other issues that have equal weight when deciding to terminate a client such as low profit margins, lack of input, chemistry and lack of passion on your part. I have a friend who is the number one salesman at a car dealership. He once told me that his most satisfied clients are the ones he makes the most money on, and I believe the same holds true in the design community. Clients who understand the value of professional design are willing to make the initial investment, because they realize that ultimately their return will be far more. Clients who try to bargain or get you to reduce your fee after the project is approved will never be happy with you or anyone else. Of course, if an error was made on your part it is reasonable for them to inquire, but a pattern of whining and nitpicking on price is an invitation for a pink slip. Clients who do not value your services may give you very little input during the process thinking that you will magically come up with a stunning concept. Or they may dominate the process, then blame you for a failed marketing effort. Don't expect them to praise you and your abnormally huge creative mind on any assignment. I had a client a few years ago who either gave me no input or disregarded my recommendations and dominated the design process. The most input I could get from them at the end of projects was, "it was OK" or "I have seen more creative ads." On our last project, she requested that her magazine ad have "cows" in it. Her IT business and its personality had nothing similar with the bovine persuasion, but she was enamored with an ad campaign for a fast food restaurant that used them. I strongly recommended against it and ultimately it was not successful. She called a few days after it was published asking for a reduction in my fee because I had taken her to the publisher's deadline. My response was that I made the deadline, but according to her, the undo stress of getting it approved at the deadline justified a reduced fee. We parted ways at the end of the phone call. Chemistry is another area worth investigating. Even if you love the type of creative work, the frequency of projects and the compensation; it will never overcome the lack of "clicking" with a client. It will take far more effort to work with them and a mounting frustration will soon become evident. The best course is to communicate (after you complete the last project) that you are not a good fit, and while you appreciate the opportunity you have been given, they would be better served by another designer. Having another designer to refer with an offer to help in transferring their files over to him/her is an optimal way to bow out. Working this way will smooth the transition and may even get you a referral in the future. You may find it odd to think of getting a referral this way, but unfortunately it is common in business to cut and run when things do not go your way. Leaving the former way shows character on your part and a concern for their welfare. Trust me, you will leave a lasting and positive impression on them. Finally, your personal integrity is a factor when dealing with a client. If they ask you to be dishonest, misrepresent yourself or falsely promote their product or service, I suggest moving on. Conducting business this way means they will eventually treat you with the same regard. Also consider that the main intent of graphic design is to influence the behavior of others. If you have strong political, moral or religious beliefs and a client asks you to promote something in direct opposition to them, then it is reasonable to terminate the relationship or decline the project. This rarely happens, since you will usually know the product or service up front, but business models do change. Keep in mind that there is no need to communicate your personal opinions in detail as they do not belong in business, that's why they're called "personal". You are not going to change someone's mind anyway. On the other hand, if you have particular views but feel no personal betrayal in working for "the other side", then by all means go for it. Final Words If you offer graphic design services long enough you will eventually have to fire a client. It is not easy for established designers let alone a new one with very few clients, due to the potential financial impact. The first rule in making the decision is to base it on facts and not emotions, and be smart in how you do it. Make sure you have been paid for all outstanding work and try to make it as painless as possible for both parties. No matter the treatment you have received, be the better person and do not create a situation that will create or heighten any acrimony on the client's part. Have an exit strategy ready and provide them with the option and pricing for retrieving their files and a buyout option for layered files. You do not want to motivate them to pursue you legally or otherwise in the future. Keep in mind, the best way to avoid firing a client is to screen prospective ones thoroughly and decline work with people and products that do not fit you or your business objectives.

10 Good Reasons to Turn Down a Project

28 Jun 2006 01:13:02 am GMT -5

1. The Unknown. If you're in over your head and the job requires you to do something you've never done before. 2. Large investments of time or money with iffy prospects for a timely return. 3. Stranger danger. If you know nothing about the customer and the project sounds too good to be true. 4. Manpower crunch. If the job requires you to make hasty hiring decisions. 5. Unrealistic schedules. If the job is yours for the asking, but they want it done faster than you've ever done it before. 6. Dangling carrots. Don't be fooled by the promise of lucrative future work, "if you'll just do this one little job for nothing." 7. Fuzzy Benefits. If the best thing about it is that it'll look good on your client list, it's probably not worth the price. 8. Major Mismatch. Your specialty is quality work but your customer is a penny pincher who treats your talent like a commodity. 9. Deferred gratification. Saying yes now to a project that's not quite right may require you to say no to a better project down the road. 10. Bad vibes. Follow your instincts, no matter what words they're using.

Tips on Naming Your Business

03 Jun 2006 09:10:45 pm GMT -5

1. Think keywords It would be a little helpful if you call your business something both memorable and keyword friendly. Think about how you use a search engine. You'll often amend your search phrase until you find the information you're looking for. That means that less common keyword phrases could get a reasonable traffic. 2. Brainstorm business name ideas Write down at least 20 possible names. The important thing is not to depend on just one person to think of the name for your business. Try to get ideas from your friends, family members, etc. 3. What domain name extension should you use? Whether you use an internationally recognised domain name extension such as .com or .biz or a more local extension such as .co.uk or .us, it probably depends upon your business. 4. Search for and buy your domain name Now you search for the top 10 business names you have is available for a domain name. Don't be surprised if you first choice is not available. When you find one of your top 10 business names available, register it immediately. One of the best domain registries is Go Daddy.

6 Important Pages to Include on Your Website

25 May 2006 11:46:01 am GMT -5

1. Contact Us Place contact details in as many places as possible. Make it easy for your customers to contact you. Create a special Contact Us page, include your details in About Us page and also at the bottom of each page. Information to include business name, physical address, mailing address, telephone, fax, email, emergency number, website address. 2. Testimonials and Product Reviews Showing how satisfied your past clients boost your credibility. Email your customers a feedback form. 3. Privacy Policy Privacy continues to be a major issue for customers shopping online. Concerns about how their information is going to be used is a major barrier when making a sale. Internet shopping experience is built on trust and privacy is the number one ingredient in trust. 4. Site Map A site map is similar to a contents. It shows visitors and search engines how the site is laid out and which sections are where. 5. Copyright Information Your website should carry a copyright notice to protect its intellectual property. It is generally in the form of Copyright 2004, Your Company Name. 6. Media Information Include any information, articles, photos of your products, staff etc that have appeared in the media.