From An презентация

Planning Director,
M&C Saatchi, Kuala Lumpur.

11 Unforgettable Lessons

On Advertising

From An

Architect

Image credit: Getty Images

architect, from his book “Letter to a Young Architect.”

“Architecture” has been deleted (leaving only the “A”). What is most striking is that by merely replacing all mentions of “Architecture” with “Advertising”, the advise given is still relevant in its entirety. Try it yourself and see.
I have also included personal notes/tips to make the advise applicable to the practice of advertising. This will be denoted by ✪ .

This deck features a compilation of advise to young architects that came about as a result of a series of lectures given mostly to students of Architecture in Greece and abroad.

fact that “occupation” is focused on how well we spend (occupy) our time vs. a “profession” which is how well we convert our time into money we can spend.

#1

strive to continually learn more and more, yet at the same time keeping the humility that comes from realising there’s still so much more we don’t know.

#2

on defining the problem excellently. Too many people in the business want to be problem solvers and thus wants to be the “hero.” Instead, be a “diagnostician” – listen and understand your client’s business challenge, distill the problem and only after that, by working together, develop the solution. Enable the client to be the “hero.”

#3

others. But to aid people in coming to their own conclusions. That means, at times, we need to come up with better “questions” rather than better “answers.” Just be mindful to ask questions that expands (rather than extracts) people’s views. Search “powerful questions”/”appreciative enquiry” to learn more.

#4

advertising to baking and even gaming – requires feedback. You need to constantly take stock of “Where am I?” vs. “Where do I want to be?” Competition opens your eyes to your personal gaps, providing the crucial answers to “How do I get from here to where I want to be?”

#5

learn, use your vast experience and knowledge to harness “limitations” to expand rather than to limit possibilities.

#6

value of things, in your general or work life. Be conscious if you are basing its worth on its “price.” Because “price” is nothing more than a “stereotype” – a widely held but quite likely an over-simplified view of a thing.

#7

our ego, our sense of self-worth. However, your self-worth is derived less from how well you assert your position (or of how well you stood your ground) but from the respect people “gift” to you. And to earn people’s “gift” of respect, we need to accord them the same by listening, and by listening well.

#8

to over-indulgence – when the focus shifts from doing something worth the attention of others, to doing something that’s worth your time. Always keep your eye on the eye of the audience.

#9

animal, what animal would you be?”, we’re likely to think about fearsome animals (real or mythical) – lions, tigers, leopards, eagles and dragons. Here’s a thought – be a giraffe.

#10

on “What” we do and “How” we do it. Too little ask us the hard question of… but “WHY?” Time will age the legacy of “What” and “How” we do things. But our “Whys”, that’s what will live on. Watch the next video…

#11

Planning Director,
M&C Saatchi, Kuala Lumpur.

alex.goh@mcsaatchi.com.my

Part 4: Being the Best Version of You

11 Unforgettable Lessons

On Advertising

From An

Architect