Only those of us in the business will appreciate this Holiday proofing guide
Go ahead, laugh, but you know how true these “client” comments are to this rather simple design. Larry Legal, Art D. Rector and Dr. Downer all “chime” in on this holiday creative layout.


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WHAT'S OUR PERSONAL BRAND'S 3-30-3-30??
By Becky Livingston
Developing a personal brand helps you differentiate yourself from your peers and, in some cases, your competition to “claim” your job.

Personal brands should not be thought of only when begin looking for a job or something you develop at 2:00 a.m. when you’re scared you’re going to lose your job. It takes some serious thought and brainstorming to come up with your unique value proposition and differentiator.
Click here to read the entire article

Highlights from the 9/15/09 InSource Board Meeting
The InSource Board of Directors meeting held on September 15, 2009, focused on making preparations to convene a full-day Board of Directors Meeting in Madison, New Jersey on October 16, 2009. Mapping out the work of InSource for 2010 will be the focus, including logistics, timeframes and next steps.

Content relating to professional development has been prepared to position InSource as a career resource for people in the in-house corporate creative world. This content will be posted at the InSource Web site in the near future.
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WHAT SHOULD I BE WITH MY CREATIVE DEGREE?
by Becky Livingston
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, there will be times in your professional life you’ll ask yourself if you should work in an agency, as part of an in-house creative team, or as a freelancer.

Read this article by Becky Livingston discussing some pros and cons about each that might help you make that decision, no matter what stage of your career you might be at.
Click here to read the entire article

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 8/11/09 INSOURCE BOARD MEETING
A meeting of the InSource Board of Directors was held on August 11, 2009. Discussion items included welcoming the Creative Group (www.creativegroup.com) as a Presenting Sponsor, a proposed plan of programs for InSource, Inside Track – the InSource newsletter and appreciation of support from GDUSA (www.gdusa.com).
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INFLUENCING UP – WORKING WITH
NON-CREATIVE DECISION-MAKERS
by Becky Livingston
There are times when work is just a four letter word. I'm sure you'll agree, there are those moments when being effective and productive is more painful than stubbing your toe on the bed post.

However, what's really challenging is being a creative professional working in a non-creative industry for non-creative decision-makers. How do you do it? Well, that's part of the charm of being a creative person. You have the skill set to adapt to any situation. You are a knowledge worker – aka super hero.

This month's article focuses on how you can help those who don't do your day-to-day work to understand what you do and how you can positively impact the bottom line through decisions made by others
Click here to read the entire article

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 7/9/09 INSOURCE BOARD MEETING
This meeting of the InSource Board of Directors held on July 9, 2009, reflects increased activity going on at the board level.

Findings from the InSource Member Survey conducted in June 2009 (with a 46% response rate) were carefully considered and discussed. Guided by the responses of current InSource members to this member survey, decisions were made to revamp the approach to organizing programs that best serve the needs and interests of InSource members.
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LEADING CREATIVE PROFESSIONALS
by Becky Livingston
As creative professionals, we are somewhat like felines in that we tolerate and share our existence with those less glamorous than ourselves. I’m kidding of course.

However, I am very serious about how we are led by others, particularly when it comes to working for non-creative professionals. Below are some guidelines I’ve dug up about managing and leading creative professionals. Click here to read the entire article

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 6/4/09 INSOURCE BOARD MEETING
Board members are now working out the logistics for transforming the “Practice Makes Perfect: Effectively Managing Creative Services in Today’s Corporate Culture”  InSource event (with featured speakers Shel Perkins and Steve Benfield) into a Webinar with each featured speaker. Members will be informed as soon as details are confirmed.

New options for levels of membership are now posted when visitors to the InSource Web site click on the “Join” button, making it possible for individuals to overcome any personal financial barriers to membership due to these challenging economic times. Members are encouraged to spread the word to others who may have an interest in becoming part of InSource.
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Resume Tips for Creative Professionals
by Becky Livingston
When it comes to resumes for creative professionals, presentation is paramount. But what do you do to fit your brilliantly-designed resume into an online job board format? What keywords should you include in your resume to make sure it gets into the hands of those you need to impress?

According to Adrienne Burke, General Manager at Artisan, who has placed creative talent for the past five years, "A beautiful, well-written resume is a must if you want to stand out as a creative professional. Cutesy graphics, unclear illustrations, cartoonish fonts, lots of colors, and slanted type are all signs of an overdesigned resume—definite resume don'ts.”
Click here to read the entire article

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 5/7/09 INSOURCE BOARD MEETING
The decision was made to transform the “Practice Makes Perfect: Effectively Managing Creative Services in Today’s Corporate Culture” May InSource event (with featured speakers Shel Perkins and Steve Benfield) into a Webinar with each featured speaker. Due to the current economic environment, advance registrations were lower than expected. Making this change will allow greater participation for shared learning about this relevant topic.
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INSIDE INSIGHTS
This month's interview features a conversation with Shel Perkins, exploring some of the challenges that face in-house teams today.



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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE APRIL 2, 2009
INSOURCE BOARD MEETING
A meeting of the InSource Board of Directors on April 2, 2009, discussed final planning details for the upcoming “Practice Makes Perfect: Effectively Managing Creative Services in Today’s Corporate Culture” event with featured speakers Shel Perkins and Steve Benfield. This full-day event will be held on Friday, May 15, 2009, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey. Cost: $100 for InSource members and $150 for nonmembers (includes lunch). Please register today at www.in-source.org.

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SELLING YOUR SERVICES
The legend goes that blues master Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads in exchange for prowess in playing the guitar. Relax, you won’t have to sell your soul. But if you want to manage a successful in-house creative team, you’ll have to learn how to sell your services to stay competitive and let people know you’re there. Read the article, “Selling Your Services” in the June 2009 issue of HOW magazine written by Glenn Arnowitz. Click here to read the article

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MARCH 12, 2009
INSOURCE BOARD MEETING

A meeting of the InSource Board of Directors on March 12, 2009, discussed the revised organization and focus of InSource, a proposed “Membership Stimulus Package” consisting of membership tiers and fees to encourage InSource membership growth (including reaching out to in-house creatives who are facing job loss), and InSource administration issues. A warm welcome was extended to two new Board members: Laurie Brammer (Vice President, Marketing Communications at the Marshall and Ilsley Corporation based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) and Marty Lenger (Creative Services Manager at Gordon Food Service based in Grand Rapids, Michigan).


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INSIDE INSIGHTS
InSource periodically conducts conversational interviews with individuals who have insights to share, speaking directly to the needs and interests of in-house creative teams. The first interview of this series with InSource President Andre Paquin explores the transformation of corporate creative teams into thought leaders.


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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FEBRUARY 5, 2009
INSOURCE BOARD MEETING
A meeting of the InSource Board of Directors on February 5, 2009, focused on a wide range of ideas regarding current expectations and the future direction of InSource. A reorganized approach – according to functional areas – for the work of the InSource Board was discussed. Increased involvement/ participation of InSource members is critical to the ongoing success of InSource as a resource for in-house creative teams.
Four priorities for 2009 were discussed:
> to create a member-centered organization
> to build the infrastructure with members
> to facilitate exchange between members and
> to build community.

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ANNUAL INSOURCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
The board of directors of InSource held a full-day meeting on January 23, 2009, to discuss in detail their ongoing commitment “to deliver value” to InSource members. A change in leadership was voted upon, with Andre Paquin elected as President and Andy Brenits as Vice President; Martin Shova, past President, and Glenn Arnowitz, past Vice President, will be transitioning to serve in advisory capacities.
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RUNNING ON EMPTY


In the February/March 2009 issue of Dynamic Graphics+Create
magazine, Glenn John Arnowitz's "In-house Diaries" column,
"Running on Empty," offers practical advice on how creatives
can stay connected, energized and jazzed about design.

IN-HOUSE INTERSECTIONS

Creative thinkers aren't limited to the design department of your company. Glenn John Arnowitz's article in the February 2009 issue of HOW Magazine reveals how reaching out to co-workers across departments can lead to unexpected collaborations.

Highlights from MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
FOR IN-HOUSE CREATIVE MANAGERS
Glenn Arnowitz, Vice President, In-Source with
Emily Cohen and Moira Cullen More than 70 creative professionals came together on November 12, 2008, to focus on some of the challenges and opportunities that in-house creative teams face these days. This InSource event was held at The Mansion on the campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey. With featured speakers Emily Cohen (a consultant to creative professionals who provides guidance on effective staff, client and process management strategies, work segmentation improvements, metrics development and customized teamwork training) and Moira Cullen (a design strategist, writer and educator with extensive experience in the corporate world who is now working with The Hershey Company), this full-day event provided practical insights on effective management strategies.
Click here for a summary of this event and a copy of Emily Cohen's Handout
Thanks to Xerox, The Boss Group, ColorEdge, Mohawk Paper and the Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University for their support of this relevant and successful event!

INSIDE JOB
Check out Glenn John Arnowitz's feature article, "Inside Job" in the December/January 2009 issue of Dynamic Graphics & Create Magazine. The article features a variety of case studies that show how a group of innovative in-house creatives were able to leverage the talents of their teams, overcome challenges and develop compelling design work. Click here for a link to the article
Also featured is the first installment of Glenn's new bi-monthlycolumn, "In-House Diaries", that will appear in the publication throughout 2009.
http://www.dynamicgraphics.com/dgm/Article/28924

INNOVATION BY DESIGN

"Irish companies that use design are more successful than those that do not. This fact was borne out of research published by the Centre for Design Innovation in the beginning of 2007. The challenge was to create a practical approach and tools that organisations could use to innovate and grow. The result was Innovation by Design, an 18-month programme of workshops, research and mentoring for six Northwest organisations that began in June 2007."
Read more from this booklet published in September 2008 by the Centre for Design Innovation in Sligo, Ireland, thanks to Justin Knecht, Programme Manager working with the Centre who serves on the InSource Advisory Board.

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80 for 50 By Justin Knecht
All right, you want your money's worth? Motivating your internal team doesn't have to be expensive. Here are 80 ideas you can do with your team for around or less than $50. Click below to download. InSource top download: "80 for 50"...
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A New Dimension to Performance Management – Part 2

Although performance management and assessment systems can be useful (see Part 1), managers of creative teams need to determine which approach to managing performance works best in their own particular setting. The application of rules and measures are merely tools to facilitate a conversation between the employee and the manager so that performance can be communicated with gratitude and encouragement, along with coaching for career growth and performance improvement when necessary. Conversation is key...

Read Part 2 of this article by Steve Benfield, Senior Director, Corporate Communications and Creative Director, SAS Institute Inc. and Insource Board Member, and learn Steve's unique approach to measuring performance.
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Weather the Storm
Don’t miss this important article in the current issue of HOW Magazine – “Weather the Storm”discusses how to hold on to your design position in the current economy and includes an interview with Glenn John Arnowitz of InSource.
Learn more at
http://howdesign.com/article/weatherstorm

In-House Design In Practice

Whether you are an in-house graphic designer or another member of your project's creative team, this inspiring yet practical book written by Cathy Fishel with a foreword by Glenn John Arnowitz, offers effective ways to face day-to-day challenges and practice new techniques for staying current on emerging trends within the wider design community. Contains information relevant for every type of company and organization. Very helpful for marketing, human resource, and public relations professionals who may not have advanced design qualifications but who are involved in the design projects they present to new, existing, and future clients.
http://www.fwbookstore.com/product/1954/graphic-design

Newsflash from GDUSA...

GDUSA magazine recently named three active InSource members – who volunteer their time and talents serving on the InSource Board of Directors – as "People To Watch in 2008." They are recognized by GDUSA as "creative, talented, successful, newsworthy, and influential" individuals "who embody the spirit of the creative community."
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INSIGHTS INTO DESIGN MANAGEMENT
Read this article by Meredith McCain who provides helpful tips and insights to keep your life sane and make your job easier.
Meredith McCain has over five years experience in working for Fortune 50 Companies such as Procter & Gamble and the Coca-Cola Company as a Global Design Manager.
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A New Dimension to Performance Management – Part 1
Most performance management systems focus on tasks and outcomes, clarifying what each individual needs to do or deliver, and what is the result. This is important. After all, that’s why we are employed. There is work to be done, and results are required.
However, for a creative team—and arguably for every employee— there is a critical dimension missing from the above simplistic approach to performance management. It’s the measure of behavior. You’re probably thinking, behavior…we’re not in grade school anymore!
Read this article by Steve Benfield, Senior Director, Corporate Communications and Creative Director, SAS Institute Inc. and Insource Board Member, and learn Steve's unique approach to measuring performance.
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OCTOBER EVENT – WHITE NOISE
Click "Learn More" to read about the InSource October Event,
“White Noise – How A Predominantly White Label Created So Much Noise For Publix And Its In-House Team” and learn firsthand how this work has generated success for Publix.
Tim Cox, Creative Services Director for Publix presented an in-depth case study of the Publix private label redesign.
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Tip from InSource Board Member, Ivan Boden
A THESAURUS IS NOT A DINOSAUR
Digging around for creative inspiration can be time consuming, and all too often designers hit rock bottom. The hidden idea or meaning that connects is just not there.

No doubt we use eons of methods to inspire creativity, however there’s one tool that should not be forgotten. The thesaurus.

Design begins with meaningful words. Unfortunately we’re not always provided good ones to work with. The thesaurus can help!

Read more about this helpful tip from Ivan Boden.
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JUNE EVENT GENERATING IDEAS THAT STICK
Creative professionals are acutely aware of the ongoing need to develop good ideas and communicate these ideas in compelling ways. However, it takes more than good ideas to achieve maximum business success. Creative teams must do their best to generate “ideas that stick,” which means ideas that “are understood and remembered, and have a lasting impact” to change the thoughts and behavior of the people who are the focus of one’s attention.

Dan Heath was the featured speaker for a half-day InSource event held on Thursday, June 21, 2007, at SAS Worldwide Corporate Headquarters in Cary, North Carolina. His lively presentation explored some of the reasons (including fear, greed and lack of empathy) why people have good ideas that don’t stick, described the 6 principles of “sticky ideas” (namely, “simple unexpected concrete credible emotional stories”) and offered practical insights that in-house creative managers and their teams can use to generate and champion well-constructed ideas in the corporate environment.
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In-House & Online
To further the mission of InSource to enhance the understanding, impact and value of in-house design by sharing expertise, ideas and support, the InSource website recently underwent a redesign. The new InSource website offers a central gathering place for far-flung, often-isolated in-house designers to share ideas, information, concerns, questions and advice. Read this article by Laurel Saville that is featured in the June/July issue of Dynamic Graphics about how the InSource website went from a site with limited functionality and interactivity to a new site designed by Morris Communications that reflects InSource values by being businesslike, friendly and inviting.
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Promoting Your Department
Just sit back and wait for the work to come to you? It’s easy to feel that just because your group is part of the company, all creative work will stay in-house. And even if that’s the case, does that bring inspiration and motivation to you and your staff? I say no. Read this article by InSource Board Member, John Baker, about how to promote your department.
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Successful Creative Briefs: Linking Business Objectives and Creative Strategies
In-house creative teams often feel their clients treat them as vendors (someone to execute their vision) and not as trusted, value added problem solvers. And, clients often feel their business objectives are disregarded  during the creative process. A Creative Brief when properly developed and adhered to will largely eliminate this internal power struggle.  Read this article, by Emily Cohen, a consultant to creative professionals,  to learn how a well crafted Creative Brief is one of the most valuable  tools in the design process, providing a vital connection between business objectives and creative strategies.
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Driving Innovation through Design
Innovation was the focus of an in-depth discussion for the InSource community by panelists James Barrood, Gordon Kaye, and Bob Wagner...
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Processing the Process Process
In the midst of tight deadlines, client revisions and staff meltdowns its difficult to find the time to create and document processes and procedures for the execution of your projects. But process is important. It protects your group from performance and financial risk and may even afford you and your team more time to do what you enjoy most - design. Read this article by Andy Epstein, Director of Graphic Design and Print Production at Bristol-Myers Squibb, and find out how to make nice with workflows and work instructions.
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Talking the Talk
How to Communicate up the Food Chain
Every year a number of great ideas meet untimely deaths.  The culprit?   Communication breakdowns - those frustrating occasions when you just can't seem to connect with your clients or convince them of the merits of your concepts.  Few situations are more aggravating than going back to the drawing board when you've just come up with the Pablo Picasso of ideas or, worse, watering down your Picasso so thoroughly that it begins to resemble a toddler's art project. InSource co-founder Glenn John Arnowitz contributed to this article that appears in the current issue of HOW magazine.
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Business Etiquette Survival Guide
Navigating Sticky Situations at Work
Workplace dilemmas crop up in every professional's career, whether you have two or 20 years of experience on the job. But most people don't think about these situations until they arise, resulting in hasty decisions they sometimes regret. While there's no sense adopting a worrywart's mentality, familiarizing yourself with common career predicaments can help you handle them diplomatically if - and when - they occur. To help you prepare for these sticky situations, we tapped four industry experts, including InSource co-founder, Glenn John Arnowitz, for their recommended strategies. Click on this link to read the article:
TCGeZine2.pdf
(PDF, 100KB)

Creativity Rx
Coming up with clever concepts is a common challenge faced by all creative professionals. But for in-house designers who work on the same brand day in and day out, keeping fresh can be even more of an uphill battle. Yet experienced in-house professionals will tell you there's plenty of room for innovation in a corporate environment. Take it from Glenn John Arnowitz who helped build - and now manages - an award-winning team of six designers in the creative services department at Wyeth, a research-based, global pharmaceutical company. He and his team have learned valuable tactics for sustaining a strong creative spirit no matter what hurdles they must cross. Arnowitz shared some common inspiration obstacles and real-world cures for overcoming them and motivating team members. Click on this link to read the article:
TCGeZine-Interview.pdf
(PDF, 156KB)

Business of In-House Design
Jeni Herberger provides valuable insight into the "Business of In-House Design" at the InSource November event...
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2006 HOW DESIGN CONFERENCE
The 2006 HOW Conference in Las Vegas may be over but Glenn John Arnowitz and Andy Epstein are still reeling from the excitement and spectacle of the enlightening sessions all held at the Mandalay Bay Hotel against the Vegas backdrop. This year's conference was sold-out with over 4,000 design industry professionals in attendance and featured 45+ speakers and more than 50 sessions and workshops. This year, the conference featured an entire in-house track with sessions devoted to in-house issues: creating effective brand identity, project management, working with outside studios, keeping inspired and more, including two special sessions by InSource founders, Andy and Glenn. They've made their presentations available here. Viva Las Vegas!

Downloads from the event:
Get Your Game On
(PDF, 5.2MB) In House Inspirational
(PDF, 1.2MB)

IN OTHER NEWS
"Today, many of these issues are becoming more and more critical. Corporate creative teams are under tremendous pressure to do more with less. They are working with less time, fewer marketing dollars and increased expectations driven by businesses with lofty goals delivering increasingly standardized products. Many companies have recognized the importance of maintaining the personality and culture of a brand, and proper design management is the cornerstone to insure brand equities are maintained. That is why groups like ours remain dedicated to help these creative teams by providing the tools and real-world solutions that help showcase in-house design as a strategic marketing function." Read more of Marty Shova's comments on the state of in-house design in the July issue of GD:USA.
GDUSA InSource Feature.pdf
(PDF, 150KB)