Navigating Choppy Waters.
A Tale of a Bold Project & Lessons Learned
From the outset, I knew that the book "Deeper Knowledge" would be no ordinary project. The Marine Institute wanted a game-changer, a showcase that would solidify their position as world leaders in marine research facilities and technology. I was thrilled to be part of this ambitious endeavor, but little did I know the twists and turns that lay ahead.
As I embarked on the creative process, both myself and the client knew we needed something out of the box, something that would set this book apart from the dull and typical presentations from other marine learning institutions. Unconventional was the word, and so we went full steam ahead. The unconventional proportions, bold and minimalist colour choices, unique font pairing, the witty and bold copy – every decision was carefully made to breathe life into the book.
Everything seemed to be on track until the proofreading stage. Who would have thought that an innocent step could nearly sink our ship? The proofreader's scathing criticism of the copy left me flabbergasted. In his opinion the copy was unprofessional, it was badly written, and an embarrassment to MI and to Upstream itself. The account manager, in a hasty decision and without any consultation or discussion with me or the client, gave the go-ahead for a complete rewrite. I expressed my opinion on the matter, the copy had been reviewed and signed off at every stage by the client, but it was flatly rejected, leaving me with doubt and obvious frustration.
However, the true stars of this adventure were the folks at the Marine Institute. Despite the upheaval, they held firm, standing by the original concept and copy they had previously approved. Their unwavering trust in me, the writer, and the vision we shared brought back the winds of hope.
As I navigated through the stormy waters of final approval and revisions, the book took shape once more. But just when I thought we were sailing towards smooth waters, another squall hit. Budget negotiations caused ripples. The rewriting process added to the delays, pushing the book far beyond the intended delivery date. As a result, the client's dissatisfaction cast a shadow and they sought a reduction in the final project price. This stormy situation led to tensions rising, and unfortunately, the contract met an untimely termination.
In the end, the Marine Institute's internal marketing team took the helm to bring the project to completion. The client got their reduced price, but I couldn't help feeling a pang of longing for the project I had poured my heart into. Further repercussions were felt, we did not work with MI for several years after. All future proposals for projects were rejected.
In the midst of the turbulence, this exhilarating journey left me with invaluable insights. Firstly, boldness is the wind that propels us forward, and standing firm in our creative vision, even when doubts assail us, is the key to navigating any storm. Secondly, our clients can be our staunch allies, and it's crucial to listen and trust their guidance. Thirdly, when someone dismisses your direction and opinion, it's essential to acknowledge the message and chart a new course. A lesson I learned the hard way later on.
Till next time;
Cora
