Just so you know I mean business…
The Frontier Group started out when Adam was contracting back to PACC and needed to register a business/company for taxation purposes. I then jumped on board and that's when it changed from being a one-man-show to a two-clown-procession. I look back at the humble beginnings and think that a lot of our success was based on the fact that we were just two dudes looking to have a bit of fun.
Even recently, a new client of ours awarded us the work because I rocked up to the first meeting (next door at Cre8tif) in shorts and a collared shirt - I looked like I should be on a yacht somewhere. I presented the casual, relaxed image but could back it up with my manner, knowledge and attitude.
Richie recently had "train tracks" down one side of his head. My initial response to Abby (the hairdresser we all see) was that she should give me some tracks on my eyebrows; gangsta-style. Me second response was that nobody would take me seriously in meetings anymore, and it'd take 3 months to grow that credibility back.
The difference with wearing boating attire versus having a stupid haircut is that you can turn it on and off when you like.
I think it's important that we recognize that when it's all said and done, we're still just a bunch of chimps having a good time. It's just that people pay us a lot of money to have that good time - they obviously think we're worth it.
So the next meeting we have at our office I'm going to wear my gi, as per Aaron's recommendation. That way they'll know we mean business, sort of. To compound the humour value I'll be sure to leave off any explanations. If it's successful* then I'll consider it my new uniform.
* for some value of success.
You rock! I seriously hope that one day I can have a similar blog on my post about my work too. *sigh* Although we’re not successful financially, it’s not every day you get to turn down free show tickets because (as I found myself saying in earnest today) “nah I have a meeting with these dudes about some 7-foot animatronic wolf”… but it’d be nice to have ppl pay us like you guys get to be!!! Go the gi - let us know the outcome!
erm, post on my blog, rather.
In my experience (since I have little interest in wearing suits etc) the clients we have enjoy the way we talk and treat them like we are easy going without any pressure of being forced into something they don’t want rather than base us on what we are wearing.
Since I’m not a salesperson I don’t come across or act in that way and I think most of the clients we see can tell you are an honest easy going person with decent qualities.
Yeah I think you’re right Jimmy. Remember the Soulbirth sale was made because we were so wicked and chilled, and she could tell that we were the coolest?