Against the Grain: Trilix

Round two of "A Day in the Life..."

8–8:45 a.m. –– Caught up on emails and voicemails. Discussed upcoming client information for the week with Trilix’s media director.  

8:45–9:15 a.m. –– Worked with designer on special ad copy for client. Met with a project manager to get the ad copy finished and ready for the client. Sent to client for approval.

9:15–10 a.m. –– Worked with project manager to get client ad copy ready for ads due this week in the Council Bluffs/Omaha area. Double checked the sizes of the ads, sent ad copy to the media reps at the newspapers and confirmed the run dates. Marked off ads sent on orders and updated production calendars.

10–11 a.m. –– Collected signed insertion orders from newspaper reps after placing schedule for February print ads. Revisions to prices were made on one of the orders in the client’s favor, so revised order and resent to the client.

11–11:45 a.m. –– Continued placing entire 2012 print schedules for client to lock in rates and dates now. Sent out orders to the media reps and collect signed insertion orders.

11:45am–1:15 p.m. –– Lunch with media rep from Farm Progress.

1:45–2:30 p.m. –– Met with media reps from the Des Moines Register. Learned about a new opportunity for a client, and updated the rep on the status of current clients and plans for 2012.

3–3:30 p.m. –– Met with Trilix team members for a quarterly client review. Brainstormed new ideas and opportunities.

3:30–4 p.m. –– Printed off media invoices emailed from various media vendors and filed into client invoice folders to be reconciled, entered and paid.

4–5 p.m. –– Entered remaining print orders for client for 2012 schedule. Sent a few more emails, updated timesheet and closed down for the day.

Ever think you might like to work at an agency? Maybe you’re not a designer, copywriter or web programmer, but you have great client skills, big ideas, can manage budgets and are always (or at least mostly) organized. The account services department could be where you belong!

Here’s a look at a day in the life of Trilix Senior Project Manager Janelle Steinkamp:

8 a.m. – Routed several client jobs to creative team members so they are on their desk when they get in.  Also routed jobs with copy to be proofed to our stellar proofreader.  

8:30 a.m. – Worked with a web designer on several updates for a client website and emailed ad proofs to another client for approval. 

9:05 a.m. – Discussed projects due today in our status meeting with the creative team. Then, met with our interactive team to discuss web projects and deadlines. 

9:45 a.m. – Routed a job to a designer for a client print ad, as well as a copy request for a new client sales sheet. Double checked revisions on a catalog and sent to client for final approval. Also made updates to an e-newsletter and sent off for client review.

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Break for lunch!

1 p.m. – Entered new client jobs into our tracking system. Routed more ads to a designer, and sent others to a different client for approval. Checked deadlines that are still due this afternoon. Sent approved ad off to a magazine for publication. 

3:30 p.m. – Filled out my timesheet, and entered several POs and invoices into our system.

4:30 p.m. – Wrapped up, logged off and headed home!

Now that we’re a week into the New Year, it’s time to take a look at your 2012 goals. We’re not talking fitness, eating better or getting more sleep (although, I think we can all say those are on our list) –– we’re talking business. Here are three resolutions to get your year off to the right start.

1. Freshen your website. Interactive Director Yancy DeLathouder says, “With the current pace of web innovations, if your site is more than three years old, you’ll want to consider upgrading your site to keep pace with changing technology. In addition to having a wealth of features available from newer technologies like HTML5, older technologies like JavaScript have also been causing quite a stir, replacing Flash implementations with equally functional and attractive, yet mobile-friendly applications. Additionally, new browsers and new browser versions, including mobile devices, may cause websites built for older standards to not function as expected. Upgrading a website to current standards will ensure proper operation for all potential audiences on all potential platforms.”

2. Create a social media policy. Public Relations Specialist Gabby Bladdick thinks every business, agency and nonprofit –– large and small –– should create a social media policy. Why, we ask? “With the way businesses are relying on social media to be a major part of their marketing campaigns, it’s imperative to establish a company-wide social media policy so every employee is on the same page. It should include everything from what they can/cannot say to repercussions for violating the policy. Trust us, you don’t want to end up like this company.”

3. Review your crisis communications plan. If you don’t have one, create one. Public Relations Director Kristin Sunde says, “We recommend clients review and update their crisis communications plans at least once a year, if not more. As staff, stakeholders, and services and products change, it’s likely your plan needs updating. And if you don’t have a crisis communications plan, resolve to put one in place this quarter. Its value will far outweigh the investment if disaster strikes.

2012 is the year to improve –– so let’s do it together! Give us a call if we can help!

It’s that time of the year again when everyone has a little hustle in their step. Whether it’s finishing up end-of-the-year reports or running to the store to get more flour for cookies, everyone is busy.

Here are a few ideas to help you survive the holidays stress-free:

• Finish up before you leave. Take care of last-minute assignments before you leave the office for a few days. Even if this means coming in early or staying late, you’ll be thankful to come back to a crossed-off to-do list.

• Begin projects that are due after the holidays. If you want to be really ambitious, you should start projects that need to be complete a few weeks from now. With a head start, you won’t be worrying during your time away about coming back to work with a full plate.

• Organize your office. Take 10 minutes and clean up your office. You couldn’t start the new year in a better way!

• Turn off your phone at home. So many professionals are connected to their email 24/7, so turn it off and enjoy time away from the office. If you have to have it on for emergencies, vow to check it once every couple hours, instead of constantly.

• Relax. This might be the hardest task of all because the holidays are such a busy time of the year, but it’s imperative for your well-being to take time away and relax!

 The Trilix crew is out of the office Friday, December 23, and Monday, December 26. We’ll be back and refreshed on Tuesday, December 27. Happy holidays, everyone!

Des Moines native Ben Silbermann started a website in March of 2010 and it grew into the latest and greatest social media startup. Haven’t heard of Pinterest yet? Let me introduce you to one of the most addicting sites on the web.

Pinterest is a virtual bulletin board filled with what I like to call, “pretty things.” The website allows you to collect images of your favorite things and ‘pin’ them in organized categories called ‘boards.’ To get started, you request an invitation. After you receive an invitation in your inbox, you can create an account, find friends to follow from Facebook and Twitter, and set up boards to organize your favorite images. From there, the possibilities are endless. For example, I have boards filled with my favorite recipes, outfits, DYI ideas and much more. You can repin images from other people’s boards and even install the “pin it” button on the menu bar of your browser, and collect images from any website.

So, who pins? Brands, companies, organizations, individuals, men, women, adult, youth and many more pin and share images of their future office space, home, dream wedding, recipes, favorite destinations, bucket lists and beyond. Pinterest is not just for individuals, for example, Drake University has boards set up for everything related to college life from dorm room decorations, homework inspiration, studying abroad and alumni gear. They even have a board dedicated solely to exploring the Des Moines area. My personal favorite? The bulldog mascot board – how clever!

No matter your brand, company mission or industry, Pinterest has a place for everyone to showcase their culture, products and services. So, what are you waiting for? Jump on the Pinterest bandwagon!