The Rab Blog: Rob - Workaholics Anonymous

Our Office, Our Website
February 8, 2010

I’m back in blog mode, after getting caught up in pre-production for a few upcoming projects. I missed this part of my week, because writing down my thoughts makes me feel philosophical, refined, and generally more intelligent than I actually am.

Since we are in a transitional phase with our physical studio, the Rab staff and I have been getting a lot of work done from our home offices. I’ve always known the benefits of home office work (lower overhead, peace and quiet, shorter commute), but I also respect the significance of a daily employee rendezvous location, more commonly known as “The Office” (less awkward neutral zone, more convenient access to co-workers, prestige of leasing an area that you can call not-home).

But as the internet grows more and more by the day, it is getting to the point where websites can virtually replace The Office. Hereinafter, I list the similarities and potentialities of such crossovers (see what I mean about seeming philosophical and refined?).

The Oz Effect
(No, not the prison.) The Oz Effect refers to the curtain that masks the unpreventable chaos that often occurs when human beings are together in a space. Offices attempt to segregate employees to cubicles, and keep bosses out of impending drama and social interaction (and often fail), but more importantly they provide a tangible sense of control to outsiders looking in, assuming it is a clean and polished environment.

If used as a meeting location for clients, offices can provide a professional sense of security, comfort, and even subtly demonstrate financial stability. The concept of a well-tended office will mask any stressful pandemonium within a business, even if just on the surface.

Websites do the exact same thing, but better. Businesses have complete control over every aspect of this virtual office, and potential clients are free to come and go as they please, without picking up even a hint of bedlam or disorder. The Oz curtain becomes an entire stage; pitching services becomes much more controlled, based upon the strategic planning and effort put forth into a digital presentation. Where decorating an office is restricted to cost of inanimate objects, signage, and impressive-looking paintings that cost far too much, imagination is the only limit for a website (and perhaps some technical skill, or a reasonably-low price for a web designer).

Hence, while an office shows solidity and stability (I like alliteration), a website performs the same task without limitation.

To be continued next week...

My Email to Santa
December 21, 2009

From: Robert Bartolome [robert@rabstudios.com]
Sent: Monday, December 21, 2009 9:42 AM
To: Santa
Subject: My List

Dear Mr. C,

How you been? I know I’m a little last-minute this year, but your Dartmouth Mall representative told me you'd understand. 2010’s going to be a big year for our company, but there are a few things that would really help us out along the way. Hope all is well, and good luck on Thursday!

1. C-Stands (About a dozen more would be grrrrreat! And they give you a free cart when you get a dozen, so grab that too)

2. Lowell Super-Ambi Kit (because you can never have enough lights)

3. Jib Rig (the 40ft one would be perfecto!)

4. 100 Rolls of Gaffers Tape (and by all means, if you want to grab more please do)

5. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 for the Xbox 360 (relieves stress, ya know?)

6. Angles.com (they wanted $25,000 for it, so maybe you or a few elves can give them a little Christmas nudge…)

7. Dinner with David Bowie (I ask for this every year, man. What’s up?)

8. Sunshine on BluRay

9. This dog

10. Mark Vb Director’s Viewfinder (I don’t need it, but I always thought it would make a great stocking stuffer)

Text me if you need help carrying anything in. Thanks a lot and Merry Christmas!

Your grateful friend,
Rob

The In-Flight Business Card Game (Part III)
December 20, 2009

The final two steps for The In-Flight Business Card Game.

4. Order What They Order
If you really want to create a connection, you may need to adjust your choice of drink. For most people, you can get away with ordering whatever you want. But let’s say the person (or persons if you’re in a three-seater) is on vacation, and he/she/they opt for an 8am vodka and cranberry. Or perhaps they rarely fly, and they decide order a soothing drink to calm down.

As shallow as it sounds, this is practically a free opportunity for success. Alcohol creates an instant bond between people on a plane, opens the door for more personal conversation, and will likely segregate you and your new friend from everyone else on the plane—all of whom are probably annoyed by your presence now. And that segregation is what you want; it’s a sudden bond that is created with your fellow passenger. In other words, you've just shared a new memory.

Assume you make the opposite choice, and order water. This will create an instant brick wall between you and the person next to you. No one likes to feel like an alcoholic, and you’re no longer part of the segregation circle. Sure, you can toy with a drunk person more easily, but it will be more awkward to find that deep, intimate connection.

So go for it! Morning vodka may not be your thing, but this is how you play the game. But keep in mind that someone ordering water may grimace at alcohol, so feel it out. (Note: For some reason, club soda is a definitive symbol for alcohol-hater. Don’t let the word “club” fool you.)

In the event that you are the first to order, start with something simple like water. You can always change afterwards. Saying “Oh, you’re getting a vodka? I will too!” always gets you brownie points.

Snacks and foods don’t bring as much weight with them; people only tend to judge drinking choices. Just avoid cookies if they seem to be health freaks. Bonding over drinks and snacks is something you can fall back on if you’ve run out of conversation. Yes, it’s superficial and tacky to get something that compliments the other person’s choice, but it makes your in-flight interaction that much more special and fun.

5. Get Their Card
As long as you’ve successfully created a bond, this should be no problem. Don’t worry if the plane ride is ending soon. In many cases, cards don’t get passed until you are in the airport terminal.

But when on the plane, a good approach is always to ask if they have a website of some kind. Even if they don’t personally, they may work for a company that does, and that website will be on their card. They won’t usually hesitate because it’s probably their job to hustle their company’s site anyway.

You are disqualified from the game if you give them your card first. The goal is to get their card without giving them yours. If they ask you outright for your card, it’s usually a sign that they are willing to trade. Keep in mind that this passenger may be playing the same game, and has just potentially won; however, victories in this game are selfishly personal, so don’t let it get you down. As long as you got their card, you won.

Worst-case scenario, they will not have any business cards. Move on to another passenger as quickly as possible, even if it means meeting people in the line for the bathroom. You can probably get away with a quick line like, “Did you work at…?” Use your company name. When they say no, ask where they do work, find an excuse to contact that company, and quickly snatch their card before they disappear into the bathroom. It's not as much fun, it feels like cheating, and, frankly, you have to be lucky for it to work; therefore, it is not recommended that you use this maneuver on the companion sitting next to you.

I’ve come to learn that you can never really know too many people, especially in the entertainment industry. So start collecting those business cards, and you’ll find that the opportunities are endless.

The In-Flight Business Card Game (Part II)
December 14, 2009

More steps to success for The Inflight Business Card Game. Stay tuned next week for the finale.

2. The Game Starts Before the Turbines Start
The moment you sit down with someone, your relationship begins. You will say hello automatically, and perhaps “How are you?” You’ll pause to get your carry-on in place, and then you’ll get comfortable in your seat. And you have a few minutes before the cabin door closes.

It’s important to create initial contact before the plane takes off. Between sitting down and take-off, throw in a joke or an observation about some random idiot who can’t fit his bag into the overhead storage compartment. It will be more awkward if you wait until you’re in the air, because everyone is settled by that time. The hustle and bustle of boarding is the perfect time to make some conversation.

3. Start Simple
Regardless of race, gender, age, or weight, the obvious pickup lines are:

Is this your first flight of the day?
Is this your last flight of the day?
Where are you headed?
Business or pleasure?
Where do you live?

As cliché as they all are, they work. Simple questions like this are not overly intrusive, and illustrate honest care and interest. Follow up with a quick anecdote about where they are from or headed, and try to create a personal connection through location.

Planes, Trains, and...Well, Any Other Public Transit
December 7, 2009

To start, I wrote this without knowledge of the new film Up in the Air, but in the spirit of its release, here we go.

I hate flying. Especially since I’ve been flying non-stop for the past two months. But like anything else, I try to make it fun. Hence, I created The In-Flight Business Card Game.

I’m not the most talkative person in the world, but I do prefer to sit with an enjoyable conversationalist. For whatever reason, planes come with a very thin sheet of ice, and the word Hello is, more or less, all you need to break it. But following a few simple steps can help bring your interaction to new levels. The objective is earning their business card, so keep your eyes on the prize.

Rules of the Game

Player must obtain the business card of Passenger next to him/her, without mentioning and/or asking for said card.

Player may only give his/her business card to Passenger if asked, but Player has not succeeded until Passenger card has been obtained.

If no business card is available, Player should try to obtain a website address, or simply move on to another passenger.

Steps to Success

1. Analyze before Speaking
Analyzing your potential companion and preparing a game plan is the most important thing you can do. In many cases, business card holders are obvious—i.e., suits and briefcases—but even the most unlikely people can have a card nowadays. Avoid children and elderly couples, and look for confident people who appear to have read this blog and are also playing the In-Flight Business Card Game.

But analyzing your target is just as important for preparing conversation. An elderly woman with her nose in a book—or, in my case, an Asian man reading a scroll of phonetic symbols—is usually a hard sell. Interrupting with, “How’s the book?” or “Oh, I like that author!” is generally more annoying than anything else (and believe me, you’ll just get a strange look if the book is in another language). Your best bet is to wait for a break period, typically an hour into the flight.

Headphones create a second layer of ice that needs to be broken early in the flight. Contrary to popular belief, they don’t necessarily mean a person doesn’t want to talk. They just mean he/she isn’t expecting a conversation (but fyi, if someone puts them on mid-conversation, that’s a good sign to stop talking).

During the boarding process, if you sit with someone who has no form of entertainment present, that’s usually a good sign. They probably fly a lot, they probably have patience, and they’re probably waiting to see who sits with them.

If you’re in the middle of two people, don’t lose your cool. There’s a lot going on, but you’ve actually gained an extra opportunity. You should focus on whoever looks more open for discussion. (NOTE: In this situation, you are probably not in first-class, so you should watch the misery level of the people you talk to.)

More steps next week...

The SEE
November 23, 2009

The holidays are a great time to shut down the computer, kick off your shoes, and relax with the fam, but as newcomers to self-employment will quickly realize, the fam can bring the most devastating blow to your Self-Employment-Esteem (the SEE). Yes, I came up with that..

Important Logical Equation: You are your self-esteem. You are, quite literally, your company. Therefore, your self-esteem is equal to the state of your company.

As illustrated in the following:

Y = SE
Y = C
SE = C
Where Y is you, SE is self-esteem, and C is company.

So if your self-esteem is down, your company will feel it—especially if you are the only employee.

Now, here’s the reason why it’s especially important to understand this principle during the holiday season. Your family won’t always hesitate to question your career choices, and may mockingly inquire as to how the “big company” is doing. Regardless of how things are actually going, it is important to retain a sense of pride and confidence.

The public will see your pretty website and your logo, and as long as it looks somewhat professional, they won’t generally question your legitimacy—actually, most people probably won’t really care enough to question. But your family is behind the scenes, where websites are designed on living room couches, logos drawn on napkins, and sales calls made on a cell phone from the beach.

Especially during the beginning stages of self-employment, your family members are the hardest critics to sell, because they see through the façade. They will pry and question, and suggest that you find a real job. But it is important that you stay strong, confident, and knowledgeable—or at least appear knowledgeable. If you act assertively and deliberately with confidence, your family will support you. If you seem unsure, they will likely be the first ones to suggest you move on to something else. Sure, it’s because they care about you, but who the hell wants to hear that?

Any bum on the street can try to say you’re a failure, and it may not affect you. But since your family members are some of the closest people you’ll ever know, they have the power to kill your SEE. So defense is vital.

Be strong, enjoy your turkey, and if all else fails, bring an overly expensive bottle of wine to subtly illustrate your financial success.

The Home Office (Rules #9 & 10)
November 16, 2009

9. Adhere to Work Hours

You need to suck it up and start working when your workday begins (which should be by 9:00a). Take either thirty minutes or an hour for lunch, and when your time is up, get back to the office.

At the end of your workday, stop working. Sounds simple enough, but once workaholism inevitably sets in, it gets easier and easier to work longer and later.

But, unfortunately, you will burn yourself out, and your work will suffer beyond repair. Plus, your life will suffer, and you may risk losing many friendships over time. So stop and enjoy your life because you only get one.

The best part of being self-employed is that you can define your own work hours. If you, for example, want to separate your day with an extended lunch that includes a visit to the gym, it is completely your choice. Just make sure when you get back to work, you WORK.

10. Be Confident

Dude, you’re self-employed. That’s awesome. And it sounds impressive…as long as you are confident about it. When you meet people, either on the phone or in person, their perception of your company will be based on how you present it (formally and informally).

Behind the scenes, you will see the highs and the lows—you may have to demote yourself to smaller salary, or you may have moments where there appears to be no incoming business on the horizon. But confidence is what will get you through hardships. Not only will it help you on a personal level, it is what will keep the public looking up to you.

And if things are going south, I don’t think it would be too fun (nor helpful) to cry to your friends. Keep it positive, and you’ll be surprised how much better you feel even during unbearably rough times.

And that's it for the rules! So enjoy the freedom, and always challenge yourself to do better work (because no one else will).

The Home Office (Rules #7 & 8)
November 10, 2009

7. Avoid Taking Personal Calls

Okay, so I admit there are moments in life when you absolutely need to take a personal call, due to an emergency or simply because you’re down and you need to make yourself feel better by bragging to your miserable friends about how happy you are because you’re working for yourself and it’s awesome.

But in truth, personal calls can KILL your work swagger. Even if it’s a thirty second call to a loved one, you will absolutely lose focus on what you're doing; or worse, you’ll get yelled at for not paying attention to the phone because you’re busy, and then you’ll be in a bad mood for the rest of the day.

You always have lunchtime to call people back, or you can wait until you punch out. If you actively mention to friends and family that you can not take calls during business hours, they will get the hint and learn to wait until lunch or evening. You might not feel like an amazing human being, but when you’re self-employed, you gotta do what you gotta do.

8. Open the Window

Office motivation is hard to come by when it’s a gorgeous day and the sun is laughing at you through the window. Being self-employed means you have no boss to keep you on track, and technically a quick jaunt over to the beach could easily be added to your work schedule (don’t add it).

The best way to fight a beautiful day is by simply opening the window. It may seem like the obvious thing to do, but a nice breeze and a little outdoor ambience can be incredibly therapeutic. And it’s a perfect way to enjoy great weather AND get work done.

Luckily for New Englanders, this rule only applies for half the year.

The Home Office (Rules #5 & 6)
November 1, 2009

5. Designate Short Facebook Periods

Let’s face it, you’re going to need to check your Facebook page. Designate a few (just a FEW) 3-minute sessions, spread throughout the day, and use this time to check your precious updates. If you don’t have specific times laid out, you will undoubtedly log on every few minutes.

Business emails are important, and, thus, fine. But personal emails to friends should be dealt with during these sparse Facebook periods.

6. Leave Your House at Lunch

Lunchtime is your time, so get the hell away from whatever you’re working on. Forget about it.

Leave your house to go buy a coffee, or grab a lunch from your fridge and drive somewhere scenic. Like the morning relaxation period, this is another one of the few times you should not be thinking about work. When you get back to work, you’ll feel refreshed and re-energized.

The Home Office (Rules #2, 3, & 4)
October 27, 2009

A few more rules to follow when working for yourself...

2. Put Your Shoes On

Taking a shower and getting completely dressed, including shoes and socks, has a massive psychological effect on your work. It will get you in a productive mode, and will keep you more focused throughout the day.

Don’t throw on a robe and slippers and expect to get stuff done. Once the work day begins, you should not be relaxed.

3. Commute to Work

This is an optional rule, but strongly suggested. And, yes, you read correctly. Commute to work.

The one part of the day that you used to hate may be one thing you miss the most. You will be grounded in your house until lunchtime if you do not allow yourself the benefit of a commute. Get in your car, drive down the street, grab a coffee, and take a short scenic route home. Again, it will have a strong psychological effect on your mindset.

Don't think of it as leaving and coming back. Think of it as a real commute, from your home to your job. By the time you get to the office, your mind will be ready for work.

4. Listen to Background Music

Real offices tend to have ambience, which is primarily because there are other people around. Your office will be SILENT…like, deep space silent.

Playing some soft music prevents boredom and fills in all those quiet moments with sound. It also keeps your brain ticking, especially during times of pondering and inner-monologue.

The Home Office (Rule #1)
October 23, 2009

I like to think of myself as a pretty experienced home office worker, and with the growing number of self-employed people out there, I thought I would share some of the rules I’ve made for myself. Check back every week for a new rule!

1. Give Yourself a Relaxing Wake-Up

Set your alarm clock at least an hour and a half before you start work, and take an hour to yourself. Drink coffee, watch the Today Show, and eat some oatmeal. Look forward to this time of day, because you won’t get many free periods like this. Don’t think about work; just enjoy yourself.

Whatever you do, DO NOT TOUCH THE SNOOZE BUTTON on your alarm clock; just get up. If you don’t feel like waking up to relax, then you’re sure as hell not going to wake up for work.

Depending on how long it takes you to get ready, the last half-hour should be reserved for getting showered and dressed (more on that later).