I’ve developed some interesting talents in the past few months.  Tarot cards, deliverable projecting, palm readings, horoscopes, traffic management, mind reading.  You know, the usual.

Surprisingly enough, though I can manage the flow of work through the agency, check on deliverables and remember countless dates and status reports, I cannot, in fact, climb into your head and replay the conversation you just had with your client pushing the project schedule back three weeks.

Please excuse me while I go reassemble the carefully monitored schedule that’s totally shot to shit.

In all fairness – that reenactment may be a bit extreme (but it sure makes for a better blog post).  Being a small firm, we naturally communicate with each other all day long.  BKWLD is taking big steps forward in the traffic department, building on some of our established-yet-informal processes, making them more efficient and consistent.  The OCD organizer in me is thrilled – within reason.  We’re not there yet, but the guys are embracing the system.  Friday Flex Day is like the new recess and The Emails are gettin’ some love.  We’re in it together because I’m new to the process too.

Trained in traditional PR agencies, I was not truly acquainted with traffic management like this until I joined BKWLD.  As I take on a new set of responsibilities, I’ve been reaching out to some amazing TM’s from agencies across the country and sifting through all of the advice (if you know of any put me in contact!). Finding out more about the qualities of a good traffic manager is like reading a personality profile. Efficient.  Effective. Communicator. Positive. Organized.  “A traffic system is only as efficient as the employee managing it”.  I think I’m in love.

My phrase of the moment is: ‘The more you tell me about your project the more I can help you run it smoothly’.  I’m a naturally curious person and I always want to know all that I can.  Now it’s my job to keep tabs on everything and everyone in the agency.  I’m your best friend and your worst enemy.

Now send me your updated RQD.