There’s an interesting advertising campaign that is running at the moment on both TV and radio which I feel is worth more than a 30 second slot. It’s for Honda and it focuses on how they perceive problems.
Now I’m sure you’ve heard company statements before which boast something along the lines of “Your problem is our solution”. Well blah, blah, blah whatever to that. Where’s the proof and more importantly where is the depth and emotion behind that statement?
Honda state in their radio advert that they welcome a problem with open arms and treat it like an old friend. They also say that a problem is an opportunity to develop and grow, learning something new along the way. The point is at the end of the ad the viewer is left thinking that whatever problems arise, Honda can fix it.
This is a great way to think. Why let a problem get you down as soon as one rears its ugly head. Instead think of it as a small hump in the road that you can flatten on your journey, safe in the knowledge that next time you see that hump approaching you’ll know how to overcome it.
How do you perceive problems?
The video below is from the same campaign but instead features the “Problem Playground”.
2 comments
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February 20, 2008 at 8:52 am
Michael
Problems like this for me fall into only two categories:-
1) Can you make your software do X and Y as well?
2) Our deadline has shifted. Can you complete this job tonight?
Type #1 are a good thing. They force me to learn something new
that I had not considered. Clients have a whole range of ideas that
push me out of my programming comfort zone and into something new,
learning along the way.
Type #2 is a Bad Thing. This just means the client is disorganised.
February 20, 2008 at 9:17 am
Shaune
If the job is completable though in the new timescale it means the client will be impressed by your adaptability and skills to deliver under pressure.
Always look on the bright side, the dark side is the route to a nervous breakdown