Call Me Winston
 | |
|
By Frederic Perreault
“I’m Not Here To Say
Please. I’m Here To Tell You What To Do.”
How a problem solver, an
engineering formula and a gangster movie impacted our business model
You’ve seen Pulp Fiction. We
all have. For much of us, it’s either about Jules, Vincent Vega, Mia or Butch. For
us, it’s all about Mr. Wolf. Always have, always will. This character plays a
very small role spanning over just ten minutes in the whole movie, yet the
guy’s a real eye-opener. Such an eye-opener he directly influenced our very own
business model.
As a brand engineering project management firm, just like Mr. Wolf, we
solve our clients’ problems. They rely on us to either promote, tighten, fix,
solve and/or polish their corporate image. We come in, just like Mr. Wolf does.
“Get
it straight Buster. I’m not here to say: “Please”, I’m here to tell you what to
do. I’m here to help.” - Winston Wolf
While our customers are the best in what they do – they really are –
they call us to perform what we do best. This is exactly why they pay us for.
End of the story. While they work on their businesses, we do need certain
crucial information related to the scope of their project as we plan the whole
strategy. They always share what’s needed with a great smile.
For most, everything is all about strategy. Actually, strategy is only a
part of the process. The easiest part. Anyone, anywhere, anyhow can plan a
strategy. This is no rocket science. Things get serious when tactics come in.
“Strategy
is for amateurs. Tactics are for professionals.”
As strategy is a concept, tactics are a series of actions performed to
reach set goals dedicated in the strategy. Without these actions taken, you
will never, ever, apply your strategy and ultimately, never be able to reach
your customer’s business goals and objectives.
During that very phase, it can get tough. This is where we rock the
boat, shake preconceived ideas, challenge egos, face our clients. During the
tactics phase, we give orders. We are here to apply our very own eight-step
formula.
As we are being generously paid by our clients, hence we have a morale
obligation that is far greater than our business obligations. Just like Mr.
Wolf saving Jules and Vega. If our solution does not work, effects are
tremendously negative and can surely threaten the very survival of an
organization. In other words, there is no place for failure as we ultimately
hold our customers’ fate between our hands. No problem can or should be taken
lightly. Ever.
The scene
Here’s an actual scene from the movie, showing to which extent Mr. Wolf
has the exact modus operandi as our organization.
Jules and Vega end-up at Jimmy’s place as they just blew up their
passenger’s head, leaving a total mess in the car. Jimmy’s obviously upset as
he’s got nothing to do with his friends’ business. Emphasis is brought on the
fact that his wife is coming back home soon and hell’s going to break loose if
she discovers the mess.
Here comes Mr. Wolf.
Over the phone, he quickly writes some details on a note pad.
-It’s about 30 minutes away. I’ll be there in 10.
Relating to our business model’s formula, Mr. Wolf just filled out stage one and two: Define the needs and Conduct preliminary research.
While his ten-minute fast drive, he takes the opportunity to come over
stage three: Define the requirements.
As soon as Mr. Wolf arrives at Jimmy’s he knows exactly who is who and
what their respective roles are going to be. He then asks to see the house, the garage and
the car – where lies the corpse and the mess – in order to properly Evaluate the situation. Stage four now checked, time
to give orders.
 |
| Taken from Pulp Fiction, Miramax 1994 |
A
“please” would be nice!
Teamwork is crucial. It draws the line between a successful or a doomed
mandate. In other words, if Mr. Wolf’s indications are met, we are way closer
to achieving our goal.
As Jules and Vega clean out the bloody car, Jimmy gets some fancy linens
in exchange of a substantial monetary compensation. Wolf makes arrangements for
the car to be disposed while managing and mostly, Testing
the situation.
Now, time to Meet the requirements. A
short meeting is held, recapping if everyone has done its task, if every bit of
action has been performed, if every single need is fulfilled.
New orders are given. Drive fast, keep up with Wolf’s car, do not stop,
always comply, don’t take risks or initiatives and under no circumstances
improvise. Wolf is still strongly in charge. We are off to the final
destination, one last step before accomplishment.
Ellipsis. The guys are chatting at the junkyard where the car and the
body are being disposed of. Objectives are met. One last recap as we Communicate the outcome. Everyone realizes the problem
has been solved, Mr. Wolf has performed with success.
Call
me Winston.
Jules:
-Mister Wolf, it was a real pleasure watching you work.
Vincent:
-I really thank you very much mister Wolf.
Wolf:
-Call me Winston.
This last quote says it all. Now, some quick details arise. Winston
wears a ring on his dominant hand’s little finger. Could he be an engineer? Could this guy been using
the Engineering Design Process as a
professional problem solver?
We do have a lot in common
With this analysis, not only the Engineering Design Process - or what we
call “The Formula” - works for engineers, it does work in the marketing,
communications and advertising industry, at least for us. Being the only brand
engineering firm, this process is part of our business model, is part of every
single action we perform for our clients and is a direct factor why we do
deliver successful projects. Bar none.
Just like Winston, we can sometimes challenge our customers, but in the
end, they always thank us and start calling us by our fore names.
Comments
Post a Comment