Web design is harder than you think.

I don’t just move pretty pictures around in Photoshop Fireworks — there’s a lot of thought, consideration, and a certain amount of instinct involved in everything I do.

I’ll spend more hours on your project than you think.

The outcome of your final project is a reflection of myself — I’ll need to make sure it’s up to my own standards in addition to yours.

When you say you want a “basic” website, I don’t believe you.

You want a few pages of content that doesn’t change over time? That’s basic.

I do not, in any form or circumstance or by any amount of persuasion, want to be a business partner in your venture.

You might want to try going to people who have money and are willing to invest in your business, I’m not a venture capitalist.

If you’re a first time customer, I’m not interested in discounting my quote because you promise to give me more projects in the future.

But if you are a repeat customer, you will definitely get discount anyway.

I truly believe the content you incorporate on your site is more important than any “fantastic” design I create.

You worry about the content, let me worry about the design; with some minor crossover of course.

If I get input on your content, you get input on design.

I don’t want to be your copy writer and I don’t want to be your Human Photoshop Brush — the project will just flow smoother if we’re both a little flexible.

No, I will not design your logo for $50.

Your logo will often be the first piece of communication between your business and a potential customer. Why wouldn’t you want to invest appropriately in that?

I have, on occasion, wanted to fire a client.

Many reasons for this, some of which I have already listed here.

Still not sure if this post was a good idea or not.

I think many people, especially non-techie [ultra-] small business startups, really have no experience in web design projects or really any kind of design project and kinda make it up as they go along. Patience is key in these situations. I’ve found that even the most inexperienced clients are willing to learn from and listen to you if you can empathize with them.

As a client or a designer, what confessions do you have?

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Know your stakeholders and their expectations

For most situations, the most important stakeholder is the client.  Be sure to nail down exactly what it is they require the project to produce and make sure your team has the ability to convert on time and on budget — meeting all specifications.

It also helps if you get you know your stakeholders.  Discover how they like to operate and analyze tendencies — you’ll be able to anticipate their reactions and create a better working relationship.

Know your team members and their strengths

Now that you know what’s the client expects of the project, be sure to pick team members with specialties that match up well with the project needs.  Also, be weary of the warnings signs: members who have the wrong attitudes, have too many other projects on their plate, or those who don’t get along well with others.  You’ll want a team that will gel and put the needs of the project first.

Initiate and sustain communication

Don’t wait on the team to come to you, its your job to go to them first.  To be able to manage risks and anticipate disasters (not wait for them to happen), you need to consistently be in communication with team members.  You’ll be able to respond to new kinks in the plan and re-organize more easily, if necessary.

This is also true for your stakeholders.  Make sure they are well informed of the project status and any major blips that have occurred.  The last thing you want is an uninformed, nervous client; it makes the team look unprofessional and can have a negative affect on your relationship with the client.

Be their leader

As leaders, project managers must set goals and motivate team members to achieve or exceed those goals.  However, this requires a great deal of respect from the team.  The project manager can gain this respect by:

• Leading by example.  Show the level of work ethic and work quality you expect from your team by actually performing at that level.
• Sell your vision to the team to build their commitment to the project.
• Encourage positive, ‘can-do’ attitudes.
• Praise victories in public and correct failures in private.

Be human

People change their minds, make mistakes, and have emotions.  Be prepared to not only manage people as clients and team members but also as human beings with diverse arrays of perceptions, experiences, and behaviours.  A good project manager will be able to correct misunderstandings and mitigate conflicts while keeping the project running smoothly.  Be empathetic, fair, and understanding; you’ll find your team will be more efficient, creative, and happy.

What tips do you have for managing relationships with clients and team members?

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In case you didn’t know, I’m a HUGE football fan (GO PACKERS!). But the game has given me more than just entertainment; I’ve also come away with some important lessons. Lessons that prove useful to the professionals of the game, but also useful for the entrepreneur / startup as well as the established company seeking to stay innovative and keep growing.

1. Huddle up.

Communicate company strategies to all team members to help motivate and give them purpose. Develop a culture that aligns with your company’s values and mission and encourage the development of passion, it’s contagious. Make sure outside stakeholders get their information from you and not anyone else to prevent the spread of rumours and misinformation.

2. Go deep.

Take your “shots down the field”. Don’t be afraid to aim high — Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAGs) will motivate you and your team to achieve great things. Even if you don’t get all the way there, the venture will be a lesson learned for the future.

3. The game is won in the trenches (the line of scrimmage).

The grind work pays off! Always be attentive to details and maintain high quality standards — your final product will be a step above the competition. Start and finish strong, don’t get slack and let complacency slip in.

4. Run hard on every play.

You never know when your chance to shine will come so give it your all no matter what the task is. When that client or investor starts looking at your company, you’ll be ready and in fine form.

5. Run trick plays.

Keep the competition guessing. Have a secret project in your back pocket or form an unexpected alliance, even run guerrilla marketing campaigns to keep everyone on their toes and generate buzz.

6. Go for it on 4th and 1.

Take calculated risks. The rewards from taking manageable risks far outweigh the penalties in the long run. Assess the situation and have confidence in your ability to lead your team to success.

7. Keep your eyes on the play clock.

Time-management is key, especially when resources are scarce. Prioritize tasks and use good project management techniques to get the job done on time, on budget, and according to specification. Know when your window of opportunity is ending and get ready to pounce when you get your turn.

8. Kick the field goal first, then go for the touchdown.

Don’t panic. You may be way off schedule but give yourself the opportunity to pull off a comeback. Take it one step at at time — a rushed task will often end up having to be redone and revised repeatedly.

9. Know when to go for 2.

Awesome, you got it done! Look for opportunities to squeeze in something extra for added value. If no one is going to appreciate the extra point; don’t waste your time, move on.

10. Don’t duck out of bounds.

Develop an appetite for challenges and take them head on with wise planning and execution.

11. The game is only over when the clock says 00:00

Don’t lose hope. Opportunities can come out of nowhere, stay optimistic and play hard till the bitter end. And if you’re on top, don’t lose focus — keep on doing what you’ve been doing and finish off strong and in control.

12. Shake hands and embrace after the game.

Never burn bridges, instead build relationships and respect for the other team. Learn to play well with others, things may be different the next time around.

Feel free to comment below with your tips for startups (they don’t have to be football related but that would be pretty cool!):

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