Business

One of the greatest parts about working at Overit is the open workspace. For most of our staff, no walls separate our employees from spinning around in their chairs to ask a colleague for insight, to ask a question about a client, or chime in with their own ideas for a project we’re all working on. And for those of us not on the main production floor, our office doors are (almost) always open. If we’re not at our desks, we’re likely sitting with coworkers in the aptly-named collab room or our kitchen table, fleshing out ideas, critiques and direction for our projects. The open...
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Like other creative agencies, the product we sell can’t be found on any shelf (well, some of them can…). Our work involves considerable thought, strategy, know-how and the ability to create compelling, unique and effective messaging to serve our clients’ needs. As vice president of marketing and business development, my job is to make sure we convey to clients everything it is we’re able to provide for them. Since the recession, I’ve noticed a stark difference in the way potential client companies and organizations make purchasing decisions. Where a person or department used to be able to make spending choices, proposals are now put up before boards...
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My 2011 Honda Element was parked outside Overit when an uninsured driver took a turn too wide, sideswiped the left side and left me to clean up the mess. After my awesome coworker let me know what had happened, I walked outside to see plastic, headlight, and parts of my beloved car scattered all over the road. So how’s your Monday? #hitandrun twitter.com/LisaBarone/sta… — Lisa Barone (@LisaBarone) February 25, 2013 That sucked. It sucked not only because my car was damaged, but because I knew the next sequence of events would be just as painful as the car repair bill itself. And, for the most...
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We’ve all been there. We’ve all had a job where we had to work for THAT manager. In my experience working in various industries, I‘ve found myself on both sides of the What Kind Of Manager Are You table. I’ve had jobs where I’ve secretly wondered why I didn’t have my manager’s position and I’ve had jobs where I have truly learned something from the person above me. Unfortunately, more often than not, the earlier is true. Let’s reminisce (or have an unfortunate reality check) about some of the many manager types out there, shall we?
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My 82-year-old father recently went shopping for a new car and was kind enough to explain the experience to me in classic old guy detail. I haven’t been able to forget it. If my father was on social media, I can only imagine what he’d be tweeting. But he’s not. So I’ll share the story for him. In my lifetime, my father has owned four cars. In my driving career, I am on my eighth car. My father takes his cars very seriously. If only the dealers took him as seriously. Below is a description of the many sales people my father met on his...
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Building an agency over the past two decades has proven to be an ever-evolving lesson in growth, patience and determination. We’ve built process on top of process, and while sometimes exhausting, we are always better for it. Three things we’ve focused on above all else: Hiring the right people. Finding the right space Growing a motivated team 1. Hiring The Right People We’re always on the hunt for new talent and the people who will add value to Team Overit. Your organization probably is too. So what are we looking for during the scouting or interviewing process? Do they meet our talent needs? Whether a...
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A business acquaintance turned to me during a recent event in the area and asked, “why are you here?” Based on his knowledge of Overit as a creative marketing and communications firm, he didn’t see this breakfast presentation on green energy as a logical place for us to be. But as I looked around the room and took in the crowd, I knew it was in fact the PERFECT place for us to be—void of competition but full of potential business. This is an exciting time for the marketing of businesses and individuals. There are an ever-growing abundance of tools and avenues that help us...
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Well, kids, it’s the second week of January and that means the rules have officially changed. Sorry. Last week it was plenty fine to gorge yourself on resolutions, predictions and self-help posts, but that week is over. Now it’s time to focus on being more profitable this year than you were last. And you won’t do that with a list of trite resolutions. You’ll do it with action. Below are five actions I’d encourage all businesses to take to ensure 2013 is even more awesome than 2012. Because even if your 2012 was pretty great (mine was) there’s always room for improvement (and additional monies)....
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I know one thing: Most people would have quit by now. I started Overit in 1993. As CEO, a constant slew of pressure is always running through you, From morale to payroll to funky clients to long hours, with a hint of never-ending responsibility – it all sits on your shoulders. Suck it in, folks. It’s the life of a CEO. I won’t lie – running and growing Overit into a nationally-competing agency has been difficult. It’s been trying, upsetting and, frankly, sometimes a pain in the arse. And I would not change a thing.
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