Kristine Neil's guest appearances

Kristine Neil

The Busy Creator Podcast with Prescott Perez-Fox

Michael Bierut

Gabby Wallace

Cal Newport

Cathryn Lavery

Laura Roeder

Jim Hopkinson

Eric Kass

Douglas Davis

Betsy Helmuth

Debbie Millman

Steve Dotto

Todd Henry

Laura Thomas

Lisa Cummings

John Hargrave

OwlTail

Kristine Neil (@TheKNeil) is head of branding and design company Markon Brand Design. She purchased Markon when it was an old-fashion sign company, and has since transformed it into a small creative studio, now boasting a team of three. In our conversation, we cover the quirks and rituals used by the team at Markon, Kristine's personal productivity habits, and the general challenges that face all busy design teams nowadays.GET THE EPISODE Download The Busy Creator Podcast, episode 77 (MP3, 41:52, 25.3 MB) Download The Busy Creator Podcast, episode 77 (OGG, 41:52, 19.9 MB)SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODES  Subscribe to The Busy Creator Podcast on iTunes or on AndroidShow Notes &amp; Links Kristine describe her work as "varied" Markon is a small agency focusing on branding for small- to medium-sized businesses Kristine purchased Markon rather than founded it. Previously, it was a sign company. The Markon team is now three strong — Kristine, Mike, and Jenna  "It's a scary thing to say 'I need some Help'." —Kristine Neil Tweet This  Kristine started by adding contractors/freelancers before bringing in full-time employees Prepare to Share — an article and podcast episode about bringing additional people into your workflow Kristine is a systems person, admits to being slightly ADD  "Get ideas out of your head. People aren't mind-readers." —Prescott Perez-Fox Tweet This "Always organize things for how they'll work in your absense." —Kristine Neil Tweet This  Single Point of Failure — a bottleneck for decisions or skills Many freelancers/solo practitioners struggle to stay organised Kristine previously worked as a GM for a manufacturing company. This taught her systems and regimented behaviours.  "Have a system. It doesn't have to be fancy." —Kristine Neil Tweet This  "Meta-work" the work surrounding work such as scheduling meetings, checking email, managing your software Ben Elijah, previous guest on TBCP, described "Productivity Pornography" United We Brand by Mike Moser on Amazon  "We don't always have the time to treat ourselves as a client." —Kristine Neil Tweet This "We don't just make the things. We make the ideas that make the things great." —Kristine Neil Tweet This  Space150, design firm who redesigns their identity every 150 days  "It's no longer acceptable to set a brand identity and let it ride for 20 years." —Kristine Neil Tweet This  The Sunk-Cost Fallacy Sweat Equity Phase-In a brand vs. "Shadow Op" to replace everything Esso became Exxon seemingly overnight[av_video src='https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lZkX01wFbE' format='16-9' width='16' height='9'] Todd Henry, twice a guest on The Busy Creator Podcast  Kristine Neil on Twitter  Kristine Neil on LinkedIn  Markon Brands on Twitter  Markon Brands on Facebook  Markon Brands on Instagram  Markon Brands on PinterestTools Whiteboard Scrum and Agile development Remember The Milk for iPhone Google Drive Swiffer Duster Slack Dropbox Basecamp Jira FreedcampTechniques Divide your whiteboard by category and by day. Slot tasks accordingly. Create a file-naming system that makes sense — plan ahead for others reading in the future. Don't become a Single Point of Failure Pomodoro Technique Only keep the immediate future on the Board, save long-term stuff elsewhere Test systems to find what works best Get outside opinions on your brand/company, at least annually Use Slack to post videos and gifs — especially after a tough day at the deskHabits Host "Board Meetings" with your team every morning Build starting documents ("templates") when you have repetitive projects/tasks Audit your own brand. Be willing to walk away from your previous website. Create a routine strong enough so you don't need an alarm clock Shut down between Christmas and New YearTRY AUDIBLE.COM FREE FOR 30-DAYSVisit BusyCreatorBook.com for your free trial Get The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding by Al &amp; Laura Reis as a free audiobook

Kristine Neil (<a href="http://www.twitter.com/TheKNeil" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@TheKNeil</a>) is head of branding and design company <a href="http://markonbranddesign.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Markon Brand Design</a>. She purchased Markon when it was an old-fashion sign company, and has since transformed it into a small creative studio, now boasting a team of three. In our conversation, we cover the quirks and rituals used by the team at Markon, Kristine's personal productivity habits, and the general challenges that face all busy design teams nowadays.GET THE EPISODE <ul> <li><a href="http://traffic.libsyn.com/busycreator/TheBusyCreator_77_KristineNeil.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Download The Busy Creator Podcast, episode 77</a> (MP3, 41:52, 25.3 MB)</li> <li><a href="http://traffic.libsyn.com/busycreator/TheBusyCreator_77_KristineNeil.ogg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Download The Busy Creator Podcast, episode 77</a> (OGG, 41:52, 19.9 MB)</li></ul>SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODES <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-busy-creator-podcast/id816956921?mt=2&amp;uo=4&amp;at=10ltSM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://subscribeonandroid.com/busycreator.libsyn.com/rss" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://busycreator.com/itunes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Subscribe to The Busy Creator Podcast on iTunes</a> or <a href="http://subscribeonandroid.com/busycreator.libsyn.com/rss" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">on Android</a>Show Notes &amp; Links <ul> <li>Kristine describe her work as "varied"</li> <li>Markon is a small agency focusing on branding for small- to medium-sized businesses</li> <li>Kristine purchased Markon rather than founded it. Previously, it was a sign company.</li> <li>The Markon team is now three strong — Kristine, Mike, and Jenna</li> </ul> "It's a scary thing to say 'I need some Help'." —Kristine Neil <a href="https://twitter.com/home?status=%22It's%20a%20scary%20thing%20to%20say%20'I%20need%20some%20Help'.%22%20%E2%80%94%40TheKNeil%20via%20The%20%40BusyCreator%20%23Podcast%20http%3A//busycreator.com/77%20%23productivity%20%23design" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tweet This</a> <ul> <li>Kristine started by adding contractors/freelancers before bringing in full-time employees</li> <li><a href="http://busycreator.com/59" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Prepare to Share</a> — an article and podcast episode about bringing additional people into your workflow</li> <li>Kristine is a systems person, admits to being slightly ADD</li> </ul> "Get ideas out of your head. People aren't mind-readers." —Prescott Perez-Fox <a href="https://twitter.com/home?status=%22Get%20ideas%20out%20of%20your%20head.%20People%20aren't%20mind-readers.%22%20%E2%80%94%40ScottPerezFox%20via%20The%20%40BusyCreator%20%23Podcast%20http%3A//busycreator.com/77%20%23design" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tweet This</a> "Always organize things for how they'll work in your absense." —Kristine Neil <a href="https://twitter.com/home?status=%22Always%20organize%20things%20for%20how%20they'll%20work%20in%20your%20absense.%22%20%E2%80%94%40TheKNeil%20via%20The%20%40BusyCreator%20%23Podcast%20http%3A//busycreator.com/77%20%23systems" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tweet This</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_point_of_failure" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Single Point of Failure</a> — a bottleneck for decisions or skills</li> <li>Many freelancers/solo practitioners struggle to stay organised</li> <li>Kristine previously worked as a GM for a manufacturing company. This taught her systems and regimented behaviours.</li> </ul> "Have a system. It doesn't have to be fancy." —Kristine Neil <a href="https://twitter.com/home?status=%22Have%20a%20system.%20It%20doesn't%20have%20to%20be%20fancy.%22%20%E2%80%94%40TheKNeil%20via%20The%20%40BusyCreator%20%23Podcast%20http%3A//busycreator.com/77%20%23systems%20%23productivity" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tweet This</a> <ul> <li>"Meta-work" the work surrounding work such as scheduling meetings, checking email, managing your software</li> <li><a href="http://www.inkandben.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ben Elijah</a>, previous <a href="http://busycreator.com/66" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">guest on TBCP</a>, described "Productivity Pornography"</li> <li>United We Brand by Mike Moser <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1578517982/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=1578517982&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=busycreator-20&amp;linkId=TPGCBDYUZ3LEHL7N" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">on Amazon</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1578517982/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=1578517982&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=busycreator-20&amp;linkId=TPGCBDYUZ3LEHL7N" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></li> </ul> "We don't always have the time to treat ourselves as a client." —Kristine Neil <a href="https://twitter.com/home?status=%22We%20don't%20always%20have%20the%20time%20to%20treat%20ourselves%20as%20a%20client.%22%20%E2%80%94%40TheKNeil%20via%20The%20%40BusyCreator%20%23Podcast%20http%3A//busycreator.com/77%20%23agency" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tweet This</a> "We don't just make the things. We make the ideas that make the things great." —Kristine Neil <a href="https://twitter.com/home?status=%22We%20don't%20just%20make%20the%20things.%20We%20make%20%20ideas%20that%20make%20things%20great.%22%20%E2%80%94%40TheKNeil%20via%20The%20%40BusyCreator%20%23Podcast%20http%3A//busycreator.com/77" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tweet This</a> <ul> <li><a href="http://space150.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Space150</a>, design firm who redesigns their identity every 150 days</li> </ul> "It's no longer acceptable to set a brand identity and let it ride for 20 years." —Kristine Neil <a href="https://twitter.com/home?status=%22It's%20no%20longer%20acceptable%20to%20set%20a%20brand%20identity%20for%2020%20years.%22%20%E2%80%94%40TheKNeil%20via%20The%20%40BusyCreator%20%23Podcast%20http%3A//busycreator.com/77" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tweet This</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunk_costs#Loss_aversion_and_the_sunk_cost_fallacy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Sunk-Cost Fallacy</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweat_equity" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sweat Equity</a></li> <li>Phase-In a brand vs. "Shadow Op" to replace everything</li> <li><a>Esso became Exxon</a> seemingly overnight[av_video src='<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lZkX01wFbE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lZkX01wFbE</a>' format='16-9' width='16' height='9']</li> <li><a href="http://toddhenry.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Todd Henry</a>, twice <a href="http://busycreator.com/64" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">a guest on The Busy Creator Podcast</a></li> <li> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/TheKNeil" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kristine Neil on Twitter</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristineneil" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kristine Neil on LinkedIn</a></li> <li> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/markonbrands" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Markon Brands on Twitter</a></li> <li> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/MarkonBrandDesign" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Markon Brands on Facebook</a></li> <li> <a href="http://www.instagram.com/MarkonBrands" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Markon Brands on Instagram</a></li> <li> <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/MarkonBrands" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Markon Brands on Pinterest</a></li></ul>Tools <ul> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;field-keywords=whiteboard&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;sprefix=whiteboard%2Caps%2C124&amp;tag=busycreator-20&amp;url=search-alias%3Doffice-products&amp;linkId=PXNGMVTL3JUZG7IX" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Whiteboard</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrum_%28software_development%29" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Scrum</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agile_software_development" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Agile</a> development</li> <li><a href="https://www.rememberthemilk.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Remember The Milk</a> for iPhone</li> <li><a href="http://busycreator.com/google" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Google Drive</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ED3OQ28/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00ED3OQ28&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=busycreator-20&amp;linkId=ADYEJUGFYRK7UFPV" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Swiffer Duster</a></li> <li><a href="http://slack.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Slack</a></li> <li><a href="http://busycreator.com/dropbox" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dropbox</a></li> <li><a href="http://basecamp.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Basecamp</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.atlassian.com/jira" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jira</a></li> <li><a href="http://freedcamp.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Freedcamp</a></li></ul>Techniques <ul> <li>Divide your whiteboard by category and by day. Slot tasks accordingly.</li> <li>Create a file-naming system that makes sense — plan ahead for others reading in the future.</li> <li>Don't become a Single Point of Failure</li> <li>Pomodoro Technique</li> <li>Only keep the immediate future on the Board, save long-term stuff elsewhere</li> <li>Test systems to find what works best</li> <li>Get outside opinions on your brand/company, at least annually</li> <li>Use Slack to post videos and gifs — especially after a tough day at the desk</li></ul>Habits <ul> <li>Host "Board Meetings" with your team every morning</li> <li>Build starting documents ("templates") when you have repetitive projects/tasks</li> <li>Audit your own brand. Be willing to walk away from your previous website.</li> <li>Create a routine strong enough so you don't need an alarm clock</li> <li>Shut down between Christmas and New Year</li></ul>TRY <a href="http://AUDIBLE.COM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">AUDIBLE.COM</a> FREE FOR 30-DAYS Visit <a href="http://busycreatorbook.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BusyCreatorBook.com</a> for your free trial<a href="http://busycreatorbook.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> Get The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding by Al &amp; Laura Reis as a free audiobook<a href="http://www.busycreatorbook.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>

Culture and Habits for a Three-Person Design Studio with Designer and Agency Boss Kristine Neil — The Busy Creator Podcast 77