Presented at FITC Toronto 2017 More info at http://fitc.ca/event/to17/ presented by Victoria Evans, Relish Interactive Overview We all strive for perfection but in reality there are times where mistakes happen. How we choose to deal with them determines our chances at success. This is a candid conversation sharing past scenarios where mistakes or learning led to necessary course corrections – often resulting in better outcomes. Common mistakes to be discussed: unclear objectives, people pitching don’t talk to the people making, budgeting, bad hires, lack of testing, partnerships gone sour and more. Objective To help those involved in the planning and running of interactive projects to avoid common mistakes and get on the path to success with fewer bumps in the road. Target Audience People involved in the planning and running of interactive projects: entrepreneurs, executives, project managers, producers. Five Things Audience Members Will Learn It’s okay to say no – but ask for time to review, research, and regroup with alternative solutions Never work alone, surround yourself with people who have experience and solutions Always have a contingency budget and plan Take time to learn and stay informed by regularly looking at case studies, attend talks and lectures Do post-mortems within 10 days of every project you finish

1. Try Fail Try Again Success

2. Victoria Evans, “Why Looking at Failure leads to Success”
FITC 2017

3. Why I am in the position to tell you
a little something about failure
Victoria Evans, “Why Looking at Failure leads to Success”
FITC 2017

4. Plan to fail and it won’t be seen as failure.
Source
“Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes into Stepping Stones for Success”
By John C. Maxwell
Published 2007
3.8x
Entrepreneurs
Victoria Evans, “Why Looking at Failure leads to Success”
FITC 2017

5. Source:
http://www.getmotivation.com/motivationblog/2012/11/the-21st-century-thomas-edison/
“I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an
invention with 1,000 steps”
-Thomas Edison
Victoria Evans, “Why Looking at Failure leads to Success”
FITC 2017

6. Failing does not mean losing
Victoria Evans, “Why Looking at Failure leads to Success”
FITC 2017

7. Continually learn and acquire
skills and you’re winning
Sources:
Fitbit:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthof/2014/02/04/how-fitbit-survived-as-a-hardware-startup/#41ff3daa1934
https://www.fastcompany.com/3028005/why-being-hands-on-was-critical-to-fitbits-success
https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/01/18/is-fitbit-becoming-a-value-stock.aspx
Netflix:
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/250218
http://www.businessinsider.com/blockbuster-ceo-passed-up-chance-to-buy-netflix-for-50-million-2015-7
Victoria Evans, “Why Looking at Failure leads to Success”
FITC 2017

8. Source:
http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2008/06/text-of-j-k-rowling-speech/
“What I feared most for myself at your age (of 21)
was not poverty, but failure”
-J.K. Rowling
Victoria Evans, “Why Looking at Failure leads to Success”
FITC 2017

9. The Importance of WHO
Who do you work with
Who do you hire
Who makes the decisions
Victoria Evans, “Why Looking at Failure leads to Success”
FITC 2017

10. Common Mistakes
Hiring friends
Limited experience and exposure
Lacking diversity
Unfit to lead
Victoria Evans, “Why Looking at Failure leads to Success”
FITC 2017

11. Take Away
Surround yourself with
people who have proven
experience and solutions
Victoria Evans, “Why Looking at Failure leads to Success”
FITC 2017

12. The Importance of WHO
Partnerships
Suppliers
Clients
(Continued)
Victoria Evans, “Why Looking at Failure leads to Success”
FITC 2017

13. Common Mistakes
Unreasonable,
when they don’t pay or supply what they promise
when they want to pay less for more - repeatedly
Victoria Evans, “Why Looking at Failure leads to Success”
FITC 2017

14. Take Away
Look at historical track records and
common patterns and decide
whether that is worthwhile or risky.
Victoria Evans, “Why Looking at Failure leads to Success”
FITC 2017

15. The Danger of Unclear Objectives
Victoria Evans, “Why Looking at Failure leads to Success”
FITC 2017

16. Common Mistakes
Inability to communicate clearly
Unclear specs
Unclear deliverables
Unclear budget/time limits
Inconsistent standard of expectations
Victoria Evans, “Why Looking at Failure leads to Success”
FITC 2017

17. Take Away
Create a culture based on welcomed dialogue and questions.
Victoria Evans, “Why Looking at Failure leads to Success”
FITC 2017

18. Creating Value
Victoria Evans, “Why Looking at Failure leads to Success”
FITC 2017
Supporting Metrics
Audience
Proof of Concept

19. Take Away
Show how your are suited to
execute and support those
demands.
Victoria Evans, “Why Looking at Failure leads to Success”
FITC 2017

20. Know What It’s Worth
There is a value to the experience each role contributes to the project.
Victoria Evans, “Why Looking at Failure leads to Success”
FITC 2017

21. Common Mistakes
Expecting pro-bono work
Undercutting your competitors
Not defining scope creep - or charging for it
Not getting estimates
Not accounting for contingency
Victoria Evans, “Why Looking at Failure leads to Success”
FITC 2017

22. Take Away
There are Ontario IDM industry guidelines
are available to outline standard rates -
use those as a starting point.
Victoria Evans, “Why Looking at Failure leads to Success”
FITC 2017
Sources:
https://www.investinontario.com/digital-media#talent
http://www.omdc.on.ca/interactive/Interactive_Digital_Media_Fund/Production_and_Concept_Definition.htm

23. Build a positive culture and reasons to say, Yes!
Victoria Evans, “Why Looking at Failure leads to Success”
FITC 2017

24. victoria@reli.sh
WHEN AND WHY
WHO - internally and externally
Communicate clearly
Find value
Know what it’s worth
Build a lasting culture

25. What happens in a “No-Culture”
Victoria Evans, “Why Looking at Failure leads to Success”
FITC 2017
Source:
https://youtu.be/K7agjXFFQJU