By: Amy Manicom
This past summer, I worked as an intern for the Recipe 4 Success Foundation. This was an exciting opportunity for me as I shared their passions and values. As I initially settled into my role, I felt optimistic that I could contribute and make a positive impact.
One of my first assignments was to produce a graphic for an upcoming email. When I was first assigned the task, I lacked clarification on the exact aesthetic that was desired. However, I decided to just try my best, as I knew my boss was busy managing construction for an upcoming project. After reading an accompanying press release, I produced a graphic meant to communicate the values and intentions of the project. After gaining positive feedback from the secretary, the design was sent to the foundation founder for approval.
To my dismay, she pointed out that I left many important elements out. These included the Recipe 4 Success Foundation logo, as well as a logo for the Green Mountain Energy Club, which sponsored the project and construction. Additionally, all the time that I had put into creative and colorful elements turned out to be a distraction from the most essential information.
After receiving feedback, I provided our founder with additional options. Despite a better-suited design, she eventually ended up producing the final cut herself. As the face of the organization, she knew exactly what she wanted. By not producing a suitable graphic myself, I had failed to save her time and energy.
Through this experience, I gained a deep appreciation for good two-way communication in project management. Though my boss was busy, I should have asked clarifying questions. Doing this would have saved us both considerable time in the long term. Entering RaiderComm, I hope to practice honest communication between clients and our agency.
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