Svp, Experience Design
Boston, Massachusetts, Us
I managed (and, I hope, inspired) this traditional advertising agency's digital experience design and consumer research teams, overseeing the development of everything from microsites and branded communities to mobile apps and banner ads. I'm going to be brutally honest: I was making way more money than I ever had at any point in my career, had a window office overlooking the Boston harbor, and was by far the most miserable I'd ever been. This was for several reasons:1) The agency had brought me in to introduce new ways of thinking and working (i.e., human-centered design) but wasn't actually prepared to make the necessary cultural changes at that time.2) Because I had spent four years as a Forrester analyst, everyone (including me) figured that I knew what the heck I was doing. Turns out I didn't. At all. And I failed to ask for help.3) My main client was Dunkin' Donuts, and I felt like shit shilling unhealthy food for a giant corporation every day. I remember having lunch with my friend Juhan Sonin and saying something like, "Well, in my real life I wouldn't..." He gave me a dead stare and very kindly said, "Honey, this *is* your real life." I lasted a year and a day.On the upside, I learned a ton about what works (and what definitely does not) when it comes to cultural change. And I met one of my absolute BFFs.