I did everything right this time. I consulted out my branding and design and web development (instead of cobbling something together myself) with awesome experts/professionals. I met most deadlines and provided requested materials. I paid on time. I ended basecamp message threads with smiley faces. =) I did everything right … or did I?
Today was my big day. The day I was supposed to introduce my new site and my new brand to the world with all the fanfare and accolades this deserves. But alas … it didn’t happen. But I did everything right. Right?
Well, I couldn’t predict my server going down last night (which definitely took away a few hours of productivity), but that’s really not enough of an excuse. So I sat here much of tonight sad and reflective and embarrassed and kicking myself, after all I announced on twitter and facebook that today would be the day! I was in product development and sales and a field based employee working with a remote corporate office for God’s sake … I knew better. Shame on me for missing this!
This isn’t a pity party. This isn’t a poor Kim post. It’s a lesson learned. The lessons are this …
- When your questions aren’t being answered … ask them again and again until they are because something isn’t being communicated clearly.
- This is not your corporate gig where red-tape tape and reporting structures abound. This is your gig. It’s personal. So make it personal. There is no such thing as red-tape here. You are the decision-maker.
- Don’t let someone else talk for you and don’t talk through someone else. Which leads me to …
- Discuss the proposal directly with the vendor who created it. Understand the proposal inside and out. If there is any confusion ask! Which leads me to …
- Know what you want! You may not know it right away, but you better figure it out quickly. If you treat it like a discovery process you will end up paying (in more ways than one).
- It something goes wrong always assume it is your fault, because most of the time it is.
- When in doubt pick up the phone. Talk to the person live. There is less confusion this way and it really is the best way to communicate (in lieu of a face-to-face meeting.)
So there it is. I missed my launch date. It’s a bummer. I’m embarrassed, but it’s not the end of the world. Lessons learned. Fixes being made. Moving on!
Alas, not all is lost … my twitter page is updated with a new profile picture and background. =) Go check it out & follow me on twitter!
And finally aren’t these headshot images of me great? Jesse Ryan can make anyone look good (and he’s just good people to boot!)
.jpg "Kim-Percival-Dallas-Fort-Worth-Photography-02")
.jpg "Kim-Percival-Dallas-Fort-Worth-Photography-01")
Oh one last thing, if you made it this far and are interested in seeing a preview of my website, just shoot me an e-mail to kim@kim-percival.com with preview in the subject! I’d love to show you!
@Jaclyn Robinson, Jaclyn. Thank you! Thank you! I’m glad you got what I was going for. It’s just a lesson learned! We all have them!
I’m excited too. It will be even better now!!
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Kudos to you for your transparency. Thank you for choosing to share your mistakes, lessons learned with all of us. You could have just hid until it was ready to launch and never addressed it. but you chose to use this situation to possibly help others. You’re a leader. Can’t wait to see the new site!
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@Jenni Bailey, So many lessons learned! But I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s going to be beautiful & perfectly me once done.
& very Pam-ish. Ha! Thanks. I love my headshots!
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I can only imagine how frustrating this delay has been for you, Kim. But I am 100% sure that it will be well worth it in the end and, as you have pointed out, an important learning lesson. Your brand is so perfect for you – classic and restrained just enough to let your work show through. It is beautiful. And the launch, when it finally goes down, will be exactly what you want…maybe just not when you wanted.
P.S. The headshots are beautiful! In the bottom one you look very Pam-from-The-Office.
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