When the Aussie arrived at this office, one of the first things he did (at least from my perspective) was to figure out what all these people do all day long. He quickly found out that most of them are doing the “wrong” job. We have creatives who never create anything and planners who don’t plan. The account managers are experienced, but overloaded with busywork because there are no “skippies” in the account group. There is no Traffic department, no Production department, and no IT. No one to manage the details except the people who should be managing the Big Picture. Overall, there are no teams. So everybody is busy doing somebody else’s job. And most of them are exhausted by it. (Some of you have had the benefit of my rant about people trying to “look busy.” That’s true, too. But it’s a whole ‘nother blog entry.)
The Aussie told the agency at a recent meeting that the place has a reputation for being a “sweat shop.” The translator stumbled over that one, but I think they finally got it. Later, he asked me to think of some “teambuilding exercises.” I generally loathe the idea (right up there with trust exercises), but I said I’d think about it.
Luckily, CNNj has come through once again! When I got home that night there was a feature about a corporation in the UK who made their employees spend a day with an aboriginal tribe to learn how to work better in teams. These pictures are a little fuzzy, but I just love looking at these uptight whities in their Dockers and golf shirts trying to create a business plan with the super-chill natives.
It's getting a bit hot in here, don't you think, Penelope?
That's what we're paying for, you ninny!
Business planning is so exhausting! 
Working lunch.
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