Great project management is what ensures work gets done and we don’t all go insane. Needless to say, we value both of those so we thought it was high time to introduce the world (since everyone in the world obviously reads our blog) to the woman that keeps Johnny Lightning Strikes Again sane.
Hi Shawna! Let’s dive right in – how do you keep everything running so smooth?
Systems and process! The systems that JLSA had in place when I got here are amazing. It’s really all about using the tools you have and not trying to keep all the details in your head. There is no way you can keep all the jobs, tasks, next steps, etc. in your head (or on post-it notes!) at one time, so breaking it all down and using the systems at your disposal is how I keep it all together.
What do you love about working at JLSA? Yes, that is leading the witness.
My co-workers, great clients (and no, I’m not just saying that because our clients will read this!) and the overall atmosphere; it’s a fun place to work. JLSA is here to do great work and do it right, plain and simple. The overall process that we take our clients through – from strategy to execution – is the best I have seen in my career. It’s smart and straight to the point – we work with our clients to gather all the information needed up front to make good decisions in strategy before jumping into execution. That statement seems like an obvious one, but you would be amazed at how many companies aren’t doing that – many times everyone wants to jump into execution of a project before having all the information you need to execute it well.
What is the process you follow and software used? Are there any future improvements coming to serve our clients even better?
We currently use Basecamp and a couple other applications to keep the work moving, but are looking into some new options for project management software that may help tie a few of those together. The trick is to find software that can work for all types of projects, from developing a branding strategy to developing a website. JLSA does a large range of marketing/advertising work, so finding something that works for everything is my biggest challenge.
Your dedication to work is remarkable! What else in life do you love doing and how do you keep it all balanced?
My family is my #1 priority and being able to focus on them when I am not at work is great. Work/life balance is huge for me, and I have been able to find that at JLSA. It’s busy with my husband, a 4 year old and 1 year old (as I am sure many reading this can relate to!), but it’s a lot of fun! I also love to run, and well, with 2 little kids, don’t have much free time outside of that!