Archive for the ‘Jajo Culture’ Category

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Wednesday, September 8, 2010
by Jolynn Berk | Comments: 0
Categories: Jajo Culture, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

If you like to win, read this.

9780060753948Are you like me? As a professional in a small business, I often wonder how advice or “lessons” from international business leaders can be relevant to where I live and what I do every day. Many business leadership articles and books are focused on big strategies and philosophies that just don’t seem that applicable – unless you are among the Wharton or Kellogg business elite.

I found quite the opposite in my latest read: WINNING by Jack Welch, retired chairman and CEO of General Electric. Regardless his forty-year career and renowned corporate success at GE, Welch addresses people at every level and companies both large and small. His call-it-like-it-is style is fresh, easy to follow and stuffed full of meaningful insights that will immediately make a difference in the way you think about your company and your personal career.

Welch gets down to business by addressing questions on a wide range of topics, compiled from thousands of speaking engagements globally - but all centered on “What does it take to win?” The three sections which were most significant and powerful to my own experience focused on internal culture; leadership and people management; and external competition.

Some of my favorite snippets include:

“Winning leaders invest where the payback is highest. They cut their losses everywhere else.”

“… every day is about growing people.”

“If you want people to live and breathe the vision, show them the money when they do …”

“There were times I talked about the company’s direction so many times in one day that I was completely sick of hearing it myself.”

“Strategy means making clear-cut choices about how to compete. You cannot be everything to everybody, no matter the size of your business or how deep its pockets.”

Whether you are a business manager, salesman or factory worker – Welch seems genuinely interested in your success through sharing details from his own. So if you’re ready for some no-nonsense, from-the-gut talk about how to carefully craft your business and become the leader you’ve always wanted to be, you won’t be disappointed with the Welch approach.

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Tuesday, September 7, 2010
by Jason Gramke | Comments: 0
Categories: Advertising, Clients, Jajo Culture, Sustainability | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This headline was written by a gold medal winner.

A creative director I respect wrote a blog post about agencies that play in softball leagues. She made a connection between their success on the field to the lack of success of their work. You know, short man’s syndrome, or the idea that anyone who drives a Corvette is compensating for a deficit in another area of his life — or body. I don’t know of any research that will support her position. On the other hand, I know a lot of really good athletes who go to work at an advertising agency every day.

That’s why I thought it was a great idea when our business manager, Kevin Gehrer, suggested we participate in the Wichita Corporate Challenge this year. It meant that several of us would participate in activities that in distant memory displayed our athletic prowess, but now require ice packs and Ben-Gay. So, we dusted off our sneakers and made sure our affairs were in order. And we did things that were good for our bodies and that was exciting.

We competed — and I use that term loosely — in about half the events which were both athletic and recreational. Volleyball, basketball, foot races and a bike race as well as mini golf, bowling, billiards and a long walk. By the aforementioned creative director’s measure, our work is outstanding. In fact, it’s the best our city has to offer. We weren’t greatly successful in every event but we created something I’d hoped for: camaraderie and lots of fun.

It’s possible to compare a company our size to a family. Each of us have different personalities, roles and motivations but we all have a common goal: success for ourselves and the group. I was able to get to know each Jajomie a little better after our two-week challenge and our experience reminds me of the adage: The family that plays together stays together. Not only are we successful advertisers but we were successful as a team because we learned some things about ourselves that will allow us to be better for our clients. And that’s success where I come from.

But next year, we’re winning it all.

2010 Wichita Corporate Challenge from Jajo Inc. on Vimeo.

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Thursday, September 2, 2010
by Jolynn Berk | Comments: 0
Categories: Clients, Jajo Culture | Tags: ,

Recipe for success.

4951454938_936bd9e5d9_m600 days. 154 projects. Two talented companies. A boatload of creativity. A dash of dreams. How do you celebrate this success? With one day of celebration dedicated to our client – Cox Business – and all we’ve accomplished together.

We declared Cox Business Day at Jajo on September 1, 2010. And celebrated our relationship with this key client.

Early in the day, leadership addressed our team and reinforced the significance of the CB business to our agency. The Jajo team donned blue threads for the day and posters of CB creative work were hung throughout the office. Sloppy Jajoes, our agency signature dish, was served at an employee lunch.

Our client recognition began more than a week earlier when a custom cake invited the CB marketing team to a wine and cheese social at the agency – held at the end of Cox Business Day. At the social, the agency presented them with a commemorative scrapbook of our work together.

In the current business climate and economy, it’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day challenges and the next fire drill without taking time to celebrate wins. This was our opportunity to applaud the accomplishments of our client partners and team. And those shared moments are really the secret ingredient to great relationships, after all.

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Friday, March 12, 2010
by | Comments: 0
Categories: Advertising, Jajo Culture, Social Network | Tags: , , ,

My endorsement for Ryan Schafer, Junior Copywriter

I first met young Ryan Schafer at a backyard party at a fellow infidel’s house.  I was introduced to this dynamic, slightly Andy Griffith-like personality while he was engaged in a beer pong tournament of which he was playing with exceptional precision and skill. It was in between games when I found out he was a budding copywriter and it was during that conversation where we began a journey that,  as of yesterday, came full circle when my young protege’ announced his candidacy for Junior Copywriter.

As Ryan and I have traversed the valleys of  words and rhyme and climbed the peaks of rhythm and cadence, I have gotten to know this young scribbler and have become convinced that as a junior copywriter at Jajo, there could be no one better.

Besides his ability to break into song or Shakespearean verse upon command, he also possesses the necessary equipment and ability to pick locks in under thirty seconds. All needed skills to write exceptional copy.

We have taken the necessary steps to ensure his success at Jajo. Dave Hahn, a fellow Phi-Delt brother, implemented a rigorous and thorough process of hazing and belittlement guaranteeing that as a junior copywriter, he will know his place in the organization and never slow a stride or bat an eye when asked to fetch coffee.

I could further elucidate on the positive attributes that this young writer possesses; like his extraordinary fondness for yard darts or the kindness he has shown to out-of-work equestrian masseurs, but I don’t believe it’s needed.

I will, however, leave you with a story young Ryan told us one evening while playing basketball in the design dungeon, deep in the bowels of Jajo. It went something like this:

“When I was a wee lad of 11, I played intramural basketball at my school. Being vertically challenged, to shoot a basket, I had to rainbow the shot. And my teammates began calling me Rainbow.”

And as the saying goes, the rest is history. By the time Ryan pulled his foot out of his pie-hole, the damage was done and he was going to be known at Jajo as“Rainbow,” forever.

So not only do I endorse Ryan Schafer. I truly hope there is gold at the end of his rainbow.

Young Rainbow announces his candidacy for Junior Copywriter

Ryan Schafer for Junior Copywriter Facebook fan page

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Friday, December 11, 2009
by Ryan Schafer | Comments: 3
Categories: Jajo Culture | Tags: ,

Memoirs of an Intern: Culture Shock

Howdy y’all. I have good news: Apparently, my last blog was so popular and life-altering, Jajo, and the rest of the world, have asked me to do it again! So here it goes, get ready to be inspired. Like this kind of inspired.

Being a senior in college, I have decided that it might be a good idea to figure out my post-graduation plans. So in between class and playing an intense game of slow pitch softball, I decided to go back to the beginning, to my first job, to where it all started, to Barn’rds restaurant! As I sat there, eating my Supreme sandwich, reminiscing about how good I looked in plaid,  I began to think about my other jobs that led me to where I am today, the people I met and the different culture’s provided by each one.

Barn’rds was homey and comforting, Mirada Management Group was just…there and United Way was all about professionalism and caring. Every business has culture. It’s their personality, their values, their aura, their essence, their pizzazz, their flavor, their swagga.

This is no different at Jajo. In fact, the culture here is what sets us apart from everyone else. Our personality is unique and unmatched, because it’s the people, not the organization, that makes Jajo what it is.

Where else could you find Amy Frazee, chronic hummer/singer/whistler who also dabbles in graphic design? Or Steve Randa, a managing partner who gets caught buying a Barbie tricycle at Target by you and says its “for his daughter?” Or David Hahn, a graphic design genius and alumnus of your fraternity who forces you to bong your first beer in front of the whole office? Or Jason Townsend, a car-loving web developer who is too afraid to bong a beer because he knows you just dominated your inaugural one and doesn’t want to be shown up by the intern? Or Jolynn Berk and Angie Plummer, account service executives to the stars who constantly prove that they are probably the hippest moms this side of the Mississippi? Or 13 other employees who make coming to work everyday a dream and an adventure?

For the sake of the power of rhetorical questions, I will let you come up with your own conclusion of where this awesome place is. All I’m going to say is it rhymes with Play-Doh®.

So thanks Jajo… I mean Play-Doh. Thanks for housing the true foundation of great friendships and great advertising.

Blog-Invoking Questions:
What are your feelings toward your past and current employment? What job was your favorite? What was your worst? And why? Let’s hear it!

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Tuesday, December 8, 2009
by Jolynn Berk | Comments: 0
Categories: Advertising, Jajo Culture | Tags: , ,

Living the Dream with Creative People

In my early career days, my family used to affectionately taunt me about working with “artsy fartsy” people. And to the traditional corporate world, I know without a doubt that life at an ad agency is beyond understanding. I feel very fortunate that some of my best friends are highly creative people. These are some characteristics I admire about them. And why I’d rather not exist in career or life without them.

She lives in her own little world.
Yes, creative people march to the beat of a different drum. They don’t work within limits – but choose to consider infinite possibilities. They use all their senses, which affords them a different perspective or outlook. Inspire and embrace this courage and you’ll be rewarded by the contributions that follow.

Just keep swimming.
Creatives crave independence and love to depart from the norm, challenging and exploring different positions or views. Sometimes, they are seen as off-beat, odd or rebellious. But conforming is the opposite of creativeness – so in order to birth big ideas, creative people are blessed to naturally swim up stream.

My gut tells me …
Creative people trust their intuition, even if it isn’t right all the time. And the more creative a person is, the more they tend to tap into their intuitive skills. They can often see solutions even when pieces to the puzzle remain missing. And solving problems in this way just further demonstrates their ability for sheer genius.

Daydreams and whys.
They were the kids who stared out the window or found themselves in their own imaginary worlds. Creative people love to imagine, fantasize and play. They question, question … and then ask even more questions. And may continue to explore possibilities until the time clock runs out. They are unceasingly curious, almost child-like. But this is all part of who they are. Don’t assume that they are asking questions to be critical – but rather to explore and examine.

Laughter is the best medicine.
Creativity cannot exist without laughter. Continual seriousness and intensity truly squelch creative thinking. Often, our best ideas at the agency are born during a brainstorm session when the team is cutting up and acting silly. An environment and teammates that celebrate humor (and frequent ridiculousness) foster the creative spirit.

Now, when was that due?
One trait that seems ambiguous in highly creative people is discipline. But don’t be fooled. While some creative types can appear disorganized and chaotic (I tease a few about being ADHD), they are very self-disciplined. They are tenacious and do not give up on ideas or pursuits they feel passionate about. They resist the discipline of others who don’t think like them – so support them with organization and time management tools that work best for them.

Life with creative people isn’t always a walk in the park. They can be difficult and stubborn, insensitive, aloof and vague – but also challenging and inspirational. I’ve found great reward in learning how to work best with each individual creative director, graphic designer, art director, copywriter and web developer. My life has been enriched – and far less boring – for it.

(Props to Robert Alan Black, Ph. D. for his 32 Traits of Creative People.)

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Wednesday, September 9, 2009
by Ryan Schafer | Comments: 2
Categories: Jajo Culture | Tags: ,

Memoirs of an Intern: I’m Flipping Out!

Hello all! As I sit and try to write my first-ever post on Jajo’s blog, I can’t help but get distracted. At Jajo, this happens all the time. Whether it’s all the designers telling me my BlackBerry sucks and I should get an iPhone, 5 different songs being blasted from throughout the office or the Amy’s assuming that because I’m the Phi Delt president I come to work with a hangover like this everyday, there is always something to keep you busy.

But today, we received the best kind of distraction. In the middle of our enthralling social media webinar, the managing partners, Steve and Shawn, called the whole office together. They proceeded to tell us how we were all doing a great job and how much they appreciated us. The MPs also told us about their purchase of a company Flip Video recorder, to help us catch all of our fantastic office shenanigans.

I remember thinking to myself, “Wow, that’s a really nice gesture. No company I have ever worked for has ever done anything quite like this.”

Then they dropped a bomb on us. They got one for everyone in the office! Even me, the intern!

After the announcement, it was like the final scene from Rudy. The one where the little kid from the steel mill town finally gets his chance to play and is carried off the field on the shoulders of his teammates. It was crazy! Shawn had Gatorade poured on him, Fortune was jumping around like the little leprechaun and the ladies starting spontaneously chanting, “Jajo, Jajo, Jajo…!”

What a great Friday. What a great internship. Thanks Jajo. And America, look out for hundreds of videos via Jajo employees’ new Flip Video recorders!