Reason 52 to hate group projects

I have a class called Business of Design which revolves solely about starting your own business. The final project is to be in a team and create a business plan. The teacher created the groups and gave us time to sit together and discuss what we wanted to do.

Ok, I hate group projects. My group started off ok at best. We sat down and were trying to discuss a common interest for all of us to start a business with. 3/4 of us said advertising. There's a girl in my group (we'll call her Suzie) who was stating she's in the Graphic Design program but wants to aim towards advertising. That's right up my alley. I agreed and said that's what I was doing as well. She states "Well I'm going to get a better job than you." Who says that? Really?

Our teacher announced that we had to create a group scribe to take notes and a group voice to present the information to the class. I have no problem speaking infront of the class so I was put in that roll. Suzie became our scribe. Fantastic.

Let's roll on. I really don't care if our company makes toothpicks or does graphic design, just pick something and move on. I was just sitting back and listening because I don't care what we do. After sitting there quietly for about 7 or 8 minutes I step up to plate. I asked everybody what they like doing. Somehow we got to the topic of magazine layouts. Fine with me. Let's make a magazine. Everyone ok with that? Good. Now what is our magazine about?

Suzie starts off on a speech about how her company, Frito Lay does things this way. She has EXCLUSIVE information on the company and she's willing to share it with us. Actually she interviewed for a top secret position at a local magazine and she's going to tell us about the fact that the magazine fails because they don't have enough ads in it. Now what does that have to do with what our magazine is about? Nothing.

I said why don't we make this magazine about the local night scene. The other two people agree. Suzie Frito Lay says she wants to focus on the ads in the magazine. Ummm alright... Generally people pick up a magazine for content, not the ads. Just saying. She and I bump heads about this fact and we're quickly at each other's throats.

During this frustration I started filling out a handout our teacher required from us that involves what our group hope to accomplish. Suzie Frito Lay has been writing in her notebook and doodling so I started taking notes on the handout. Frito Lay looks at me and snaps, "I thought that was my job! I just didn't want to mess it up yet!" and grabs the paper out of my hands. Wow.

I pretty much sat there in cold fury not saying a thing letting things take their course. The teacher gave us a five minute break and Suzie storms off. Rachel Shirley, a friend who sits infront of me turns around and says, "how's life?". I shrug and she says, "I could hear you guys snapping from across the room." Ouch.

The teacher sensing all sorts of tension writes on the board, "If you have any problems with your group see me tonight." I hung out after class to meet with the teacher and told her I had concerns about working in the same group with Suzie. Quick explanations and she says I'm taken care of. I'm still ticked off, but next week I should be moved.

That all happened last night. This morning I got this email from Suzie.

Dani,

You really have great potential towards becoming a leader in Graphic
Design and/or Advertising. I can even see you becoming an Art Director
sometime in the near future. But!!! There are some key things that you
need to understand and learn about becoming a leader. Tonight was
completely unacceptable behavior from you as a leader.

The reason I say that is because in order to be a good leader you must push back your thoughts and take a moment to listen to your team and become more engaged in the message that is coming across. Once that is done then you take those messages and develop & implement solutions.

Tonight no matter what I said I was cut off. That is unacceptable. While I was asking which direction we were taking this company "The Scene" as a magazine being that of a Graphic Design industry, The Magazine itself, or The Advertising Agency to clarify the core basis of the business. You turned it on me as if it was what I wanted. In the beginning I clearly stated "We ALL Have a Voice" and everyone agreed Magazine. At that point you 100% pissed me off and I couldn't think for the remainder of our session.

I have looked over our information sheet and the overall message is unclear and sloppy. This is why I was focusing on the business from the core base and working ground up.

As an Executive Assistant I have worked in major corporations that are global and have worked under multiple CEO, COO, CFO, CMO, VP, Directors, Project Managers etc. I have assisted in running major corporations. Therefore, my voice should have had more of an impact rather than being shut off.

I do not feel that I was able to fully participate as a team due to you running the show and not listening. Now, I am already certain you have gone to our teacher and requested to have me removed. That's fine, but I am taking my concept with me and refining to a more strategic business focus.

Unless, you want to move forward. I am a professional and can do that, but in order to do that you need to listen, be engaged, and then as a team we all can develop concept with ideas together.

Thanks,

Suzie

My first thought, "Thanks for what?"

Graduation Requirements

I had portfolio for 7 hours yesterday. I was critiqued and here's the end result. This is the big list of what needs to happen before I graduate.

Red things = major problems
Purples = The teacher hasn't seen the piece
Green = it's perfect! don't change a thing!