Modern Media

Who in marketing hasn’t admired a great project manager? That person responsible for accomplishing project objectives, on budget and on schedule. The member of the team who maintains forward movement week after week. The one who insists on regular conference calls, sets the agenda, records every word. The one who is in touch with all the players. In short, the person who ensures success by eliminating risk. 

This Lab encouraged us to fess up.

We specialize in project management. So why an internal “fail”?

Modern Media specializes in services that include project management for the programming and execution of a conference, the design and development of a new web site, the creation of a media kit and more. That the project manager is central to the success of any project, large or small, is a given that has much to do with our own success. How, then, did 2011 nearly end with a massive “fail”?

Simple. We didn’t assign a project manager for our own project.

The cautionary tale.

The Modern Media team first discusses our holiday card in late summer. As no company on earth makes the card of our dreams, its design becomes an annual in-house project. We flirted with digital in 2009, had great fun, and liked the interactive card very much. But we love the idea of a real card – the team effort of stuffing, signing, stamping and sealing as well as the thought of people opening them.

So a timeline was created. A budget was set. Lists were updated. The stamp was discussed, approved by all and purchased. Thanksgiving (on time and on budget) came and went. But missing in action on the first of December? A card. Oops.

It’s the 9th, and we do have a card, thanks to a bit of fancy and creative footwork.  Monday next the Modern team will be stuffing, signing, stamping and sealing, one West coast member even joining us on a Google+ Hangout. But the angst of it all has taught us a lesson:

Who’s on first? The project manager. Make sure you have one. 

A missed deadline is often unavoidable. A budget, not made to be broken, will be adjusted. The unplanned will happen. The real risk is not having one person at the center, all-knowing when it comes to the plan, timeline and budget, and able to manage and record change in matters large or small. One person who knows that all is not well if it’s not. Make sure you have a great project manager.

Comments (and similar confessions) are welcome!

P.S. If you’d like to receive a Modern Media holiday card, email us with your address at carolyn@modernmediapartners.com.