If you work in Advertising or have Advertising Agencies as clients, you have probably seen and dealt with your fair share of “stressed out” maniacs. It really wasn’t a surprise to me that Advertising Account Executives made the top ten most stressful jobs list on the infographic below, and it’s definitely poignant stress level wise that Stockbrokers and Real Estate Agents come after. Im also wondering where Air Traffic Controllers went, and not exactly thrilled that Commercial Pilots now top the list – unless of course they too have to pay $25 to bring their bags on the plane every flight and essentially subject themselves to a full body search each time they step foot in an airport like the rest of us.
But back to the stress…
So AE’s are number six on this list, but AE’s don’t work alone. They are VERY GOOD at delegating stress to the entire team working on the clients they manage – and that includes Print Producers. You have been there before if you are a service provider… The frantic phone call followed by a text followed by a vm followed by an email – all the same message… I have an emergency!!! 8 times out of 10 I would have to say that emergency popped up after the AE promised something to the client that perhaps they shouldn’t have, but now it’s my problem and your problem to deal with.
Many Printers and other service providers I have worked with over the years have mastered this fire drill. They remain calm, which is key, and basically let me spew my needs and then we figure out some way to make the impossible, possible. Others, quite honestly crumbled and while they might be still of some value for other projects, I know I try to give back to my Vendor partners with as much work as I can (when it fits/pans out) so there is also some value and incentive for them to deal with me when the stress levels rise.
Next time you get a call from a stressed-out Print Producer here are a few tips:
1. Remain calm at all times – but never condescending
2. Listen carefully – ask questions only after you are sure we are done explaining what we need
3. Never say you “don’t know” something and induce a panic reaction – Always say “I’ll find out and get back to you”
4. If you can’t do the job – RECOMMEND SOMEONE WHO CAN – this will be appreciated MORE than you know
5. Stay in constant communication – even if its to say Im still waiting on an answer
6. After you have provided all the information required, DONT FOLLOW UP 30x. If you gave me a deadline for files it’s on me to keep you posted and make it happen. You will only add to the stress level by checking in even though you are doing it to help me get what I need, when I need it.
7. More often than not, the emergency mysteriously goes away. Either it costs too much because of the rush (and don’t forget Agencies bill too, so even if you don’t add rush charges that doesn’t mean the agency isn’t!) or the Creatives revolted and finally got the AE to give them more time, or the job goes away because of other things that just couldn’t happen – like a photoshoot. Don’t hold that against the Print Producer!
Keep it light, let us know you are always there to help us, and by all means grab your own stress ball and if need be curse the day my account came across your desk – just make sure the speaker phone is OFF!
