One of the challenges of being a digital creative is battling legacy. This includes legacy structure, legacy processes, legacy practices, and out-right legacy thinking.
“This is how it is, because it was our solution to the legacy problem back then.”
Now think about that. We (as creatives) know or should know, at some point our attachment to any found and cherished processes will be challenged. Rightfully so.
If you are involved in digital marketing – in any way (ie/eg/daf = project managers, graphic designers, front end developers, back end developers, content creators, info architects, tastemakers [whatever the f that means], thought-leaders, creatives, directors, general mgrs, assist to the regional manager) – you hear “it works for us” and think about packing your birdnest of a desk and moving on. And a little pep jives into your step with thoughts of:
“Somewhere less confined, more progressive, better coffee, and space for your life (dog/bike/booze in my case). Somewhere with loud speakers rotating great music and open seating.” Channeling the best version of what you believe to be the only thing better than being at the beach/bar/house or on vacation.
But we (as digital creatives) know the very thing that drives us absolutely crazy, is what keeps us engaged. We want the satisfaction of being right/heard and openingly accept the challenge of driving change – for change is why we came and our expertise is why we get paid (even if they don’t understand what we do – thank goodness for that, that summons a completely different battle).
In my professional pursuit over the years, I’ve found one common thing that works well to gain the attention of those responsible for handing off the keys. Any idea? Emails sure af do not work, bitching does not work, logic does not work, acting like an ass definitely does not work, and a million combinations of various things do not work. But the one thing that does work 100% of the time is showing the value. We all understand basic economics – Time = Dollars. And once something is seen (remember reading it in an email does not work tl;dr) it can not be unseen. Couple that with the increasing threat of open communication firing up the professional chain that may jeopardize bonus structures and BOOM – you have found your solution.
This (video showing the difference between publishing a small app to sharepoint and publishing the same exact small app to Firebase) is a very small example featuring a recurring 6 minute (at best - depending on the network) loss on a standard process like publishing sites files.
“That is the cost of doing business”, says the guy whose career you are challenging.
Providing proof (like this video) does not always work right away. Some stories involve people leaving and returning (personally I’ve never gotten into the Ike and Tina Turner game, but that does not mean I wouldn’t consider it). My point is, if you want your way – visually show anyone and everyone who can help your cause, where efficiencies are being lost. And by efficiencies I mean straight dollar bills. Chances are, even if they are resistant to change, they will be forced to tell you no (at which point you get to enjoy an entirely new strategy - if you are in marketing you enjoy strategy) or they will promote you for saving them from worry and countless headaches of trying to figure out how it is you do what you do (especially when some legacy bullshit goes wrong). I consider both a success.
Spend less time defending your work and more time battling legacy.
