Why Jobs In The Office Always Due Yesterday

As usual I went to the preparation depart. (Comp department) to check on one of my project in progress, what they do in the comp department in advertising agency is try to make and idea, from a concept to a real piece, that can be touch and feel it in my hand.

I ask them if they will make the deadline for the final approval this evening, they told me jokingly; “Do I ever realize that all the jobs that go thru the department is always due yesterday”.

Why did that really means? Why are we not on the schedule? What happen to the scheduling and traffic departments that were responsible for all the job flow? Just like dropping a package off at FedEx I don’t care how it gets there? Just wanted it gets there when it was promise right?

Let’s be honest. I actually knew the root cause of most of the delay. Creative people are legendary in changing their minds. Nothing can make them happy. If they have the time to fine-tune any projects, they will make endless alternations until time ran out. Is that fair to the other colleague on the receiving end? May be not. But that is creative process. How do we be certain that we created now is the best solution.

Can we change the process? Not sure about that either. In a creative world, we often over think any subjects. We may make an 180º turn around eventually. On the other hand, looking a problem from a different prospective, may take us to an entirely new dimension, that could lead to a break thru concepts, which is timeless. Does that mean it is justified to causing delay or creating a haven for procrastinators? I have no answer to that either.

I am not sure it is a practice happens across the business world. However, I knew people would try to perfect their presentation until time ran out. The different is, they can work this out on their own with out involving other departments, and cause everyone to stay late, or over time.

The whole point is, we are all taking more than our share these days, trying to be effective and multi tasking. However if our action causing others to suffer the consequences, than it defeated the purpose of what ever we are trying to achieve.
The bottom line, respect others personal time.

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