It's not a stretch to say that I am a stickler for quality. Its also not a stretch to say that sometimes the difference between a production that "Stinks" and something that "Shines", can be as simple as a straight necktie.
Case in point. A client was sharing a "video abstract" with me. In these short productions really smart people talk about the really incredible things they do and that subsequently get published in prestigious journals. Rather than simply distributing these as a PDF or handing them out at Starbucks, some institutions, companies and research organizations have taken to putting these to video. It's great!! We all look smart and our cred is bolstered by a well done video representation of our work.
So here's the scene, really smart person, talking about really smart things... image should be clear and uncluttered, sound should be crisp and understandable... stay away from anything that DISTRACTS from the message. In this specific case the basic message was simple "We made an important discovery, we wrote a paper about this and editors of a prestigious publication thought it was important enough to occupy the pages of their journal." Here's the problem, the spokesperson for this particular article was wearing a deeply flawed necktie. I mean it looked like it was tied by an ape... needing glasses.... and necktie lessons. All I could look at was his necktie. His undoubtedly superior mind eclipsed by a $30 dollar strip of silk. Tragic! It didn't help matters that the sound was a bit garbled and it looked like it was shot with a video camera - "selfie-looking-up-your-nose" style. People!! ... we can do better!
When YOU, YOUR COMPANY, YOUR INSTITUTION want to look smart, together and polished, take the time to find the right company or individual to get you there. I don't write papers on the hypothalamus... but I could produce a FANTASTIC 90 second abstract about the hypothalamus -- or a recent discovery or milestone in your business, that you would be proud to show to everyone you know... even your Mom.
Dear Dr. Necktie, you stick to what you do best... advancing science, saving lives and making people live longer... and I'll stick to what I do... making you look smart and spectacular! Over and out.
