Comments on: What’s Wrong With This Picture? http://www.markgr.com/whats-wrong-with-this-picture/ Higher Education Web Consulting Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:24:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: links for 2011-05-09 « innovations in higher education http://www.markgr.com/whats-wrong-with-this-picture/#comment-49039 links for 2011-05-09 « innovations in higher education Tue, 10 May 2011 03:03:39 +0000 http://www.markgr.com/?p=261#comment-49039 [...] What’s Wrong With This Picture? | Mark Greenfield Great post from @markgr on why something is very wrong with the edu freelance revolution http://bit.ly/myhWXC #higheredlive – HigherEdLive.com (higheredlive) http://twitter.com/higheredlive/status/67371077281644544 (tags: higheredlive via:packrati.us) [...] [...] What’s Wrong With This Picture? | Mark Greenfield Great post from @markgr on why something is very wrong with the edu freelance revolution http://bit.ly/myhWXC #higheredlive – HigherEdLive.com (higheredlive) http://twitter.com/higheredlive/status/67371077281644544 (tags: higheredlive via:packrati.us) [...]

]]> By: Michele Baran http://www.markgr.com/whats-wrong-with-this-picture/#comment-49003 Michele Baran Mon, 09 May 2011 18:08:14 +0000 http://www.markgr.com/?p=261#comment-49003 I take on outside work because it allows me to freely create without permissions. I am able to explore new ideas and concepts without having to "sell" the ideas to the director, vp, brand management, etc. My creativity and passions flow more freely without those constraints. I take on outside work because it allows me to freely create without permissions. I am able to explore new ideas and concepts without having to “sell” the ideas to the director, vp, brand management, etc. My creativity and passions flow more freely without those constraints.

]]> By: David Barnett http://www.markgr.com/whats-wrong-with-this-picture/#comment-48699 David Barnett Fri, 06 May 2011 22:00:34 +0000 http://www.markgr.com/?p=261#comment-48699 Dan Pink acknowledges that money isn't an issue, so long as it's fair enough not to become a fairness/respect issue (see: http://www.danpink.com/archives/2010/01/raises-do-matter). I'm not sure that when we're talking about really talented web people, that higher ed is close enough for it not to be a fairness issue. The truly talented never have the level of autonomy or freedom to move at a swift pace like they would have in leaner private companies (think of all the committees, regulations and levels of management required to make decisions in higher ed). Don't get me wrong, I love working in higher ed. I do my job knowing that I could make more elsewhere, though. I also know my toughest days are when I'm bogged down, but it's because of political or bureaucratic reasons rather than technical issues. Talented people are willing to struggle against challenging issues, but if the political environment causes more challenges than creative or technical challenges, the truly talented people can, and do, leave because it's those creative and technical challenges that allow them to grow (it's bred into talented people, it's how they got there to begin with). Dan Pink acknowledges that money isn’t an issue, so long as it’s fair enough not to become a fairness/respect issue (see: http://www.danpink.com/archives/2010/01/raises-do-matter). I’m not sure that when we’re talking about really talented web people, that higher ed is close enough for it not to be a fairness issue. The truly talented never have the level of autonomy or freedom to move at a swift pace like they would have in leaner private companies (think of all the committees, regulations and levels of management required to make decisions in higher ed).

Don’t get me wrong, I love working in higher ed. I do my job knowing that I could make more elsewhere, though. I also know my toughest days are when I’m bogged down, but it’s because of political or bureaucratic reasons rather than technical issues. Talented people are willing to struggle against challenging issues, but if the political environment causes more challenges than creative or technical challenges, the truly talented people can, and do, leave because it’s those creative and technical challenges that allow them to grow (it’s bred into talented people, it’s how they got there to begin with).

]]> By: Dan http://www.markgr.com/whats-wrong-with-this-picture/#comment-15903 Dan Tue, 13 Apr 2010 13:23:58 +0000 http://www.markgr.com/?p=261#comment-15903 Three reasons.. 1. Economic- great to have some freelance projects pulling in extra $$$ to help augment my higher Ed salary,which as was stated previously, is lower than what I might be able to get in the business world, and has remained very static over the past few years. Education/experience- from my experience, alot of the major higher ed web projects are monstrous, multi-year projects involving teams, committees and very convoluted processes. I like to get involved with freelance jobs because I can add to my portfolio of work and can oversee those usually smaller projects from start to finish. I can truly say they are my "babies" and can take pride in telling people, yes, I made that site. These smaller projects usually involve smaller budgets, open source CMS, shorter time frames and can be a lot of fun. Freelance projects keep me current, energized, and help add a little extra $$$ in my wallet. Three reasons..
1. Economic- great to have some freelance projects pulling in extra $$$ to help augment my higher Ed salary,which as was stated previously, is lower than what I might be able to get in the business world, and has remained very static over the past few years.
Education/experience- from my experience, alot of the major higher ed web projects are monstrous, multi-year projects involving teams, committees and very convoluted processes. I like to get involved with freelance jobs because I can add to my portfolio of work and can oversee those usually smaller projects from start to finish. I can truly say they are my “babies” and can take pride in telling people, yes, I made that site. These smaller projects usually involve smaller budgets, open source CMS, shorter time frames and can be a lot of fun. Freelance projects keep me current, energized, and help add a little extra $$$ in my wallet.

]]> By: Andrea Jarrell http://www.markgr.com/whats-wrong-with-this-picture/#comment-15902 Andrea Jarrell Tue, 13 Apr 2010 12:57:14 +0000 http://www.markgr.com/?p=261#comment-15902 Mark: Love this question. My perspective is not web focused but as a writer/strategist. I started within an institution and now consult for many. For me it's about HE revealing the big world of ideas. Once you see that world within and beyond your campus borders, you want more. One institution is constraining. The excitement for me is applying ideas to different situations, institutional cultures, and teams of people. And while life within an institution can be lovely, unfortunately, the politics and way-we've-always-done-it mindset within some institutions can be agonizing. When consultants are called in it usually means an institution is poised for action. Mark: Love this question. My perspective is not web focused but as a writer/strategist. I started within an institution and now consult for many. For me it’s about HE revealing the big world of ideas. Once you see that world within and beyond your campus borders, you want more. One institution is constraining. The excitement for me is applying ideas to different situations, institutional cultures, and teams of people. And while life within an institution can be lovely, unfortunately, the politics and way-we’ve-always-done-it mindset within some institutions can be agonizing. When consultants are called in it usually means an institution is poised for action.

]]> By: C http://www.markgr.com/whats-wrong-with-this-picture/#comment-15901 C Tue, 13 Apr 2010 12:53:02 +0000 http://www.markgr.com/?p=261#comment-15901 Personally, the reason I do Web consulting jobs outside of my higher-ed job, is purely a financial decision. Coming to higher education from corporate was a 15-20k loss in salary. I only do a minimal amount of outside consulting giving my family and hobbie time commitments. My motivation for future consulting jobs is based on money as I do get great satisfaction out of my current position. Personally, the reason I do Web consulting jobs outside of my higher-ed job, is purely a financial decision. Coming to higher education from corporate was a 15-20k loss in salary. I only do a minimal amount of outside consulting giving my family and hobbie time commitments. My motivation for future consulting jobs is based on money as I do get great satisfaction out of my current position.

]]> By: Mark Greenfield http://www.markgr.com/whats-wrong-with-this-picture/#comment-15890 Mark Greenfield Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:33:34 +0000 http://www.markgr.com/?p=261#comment-15890 Thanks all for the comments and ideas. To give you some more background on the origins of this post, two events this spring got me thinking about this topic. First, I am giving the opening keynote for the higher education track at the J Boye Conference in May. My topic is "Why is Higher Ed the Toughest Gig in all the Web?" and had generated a lot of conversation in the blogosphere. While my intention was to explore the easy/challenging continuum, many people also explored the good/bad continuum. This got me thinking if Higher Ed is such a great place for a web professional to work, why do so many quality people spend considerable time and effort outside of their full-time jobs. Second, I read the book "Drive" by Dan Pink twice this spring (yes, I liked it!) This book explores what motivates us and how traditional carrot and stick approach (i.e. money) doesn't work. Pink maintains that the three elements of true motivation are autonomy, mastery and purpose. This got me again thinking about why good higher ed web people take on extra work. I think there is a relationship between the two. Thanks all for the comments and ideas.

To give you some more background on the origins of this post, two events this spring got me thinking about this topic.

First, I am giving the opening keynote for the higher education track at the J Boye Conference in May. My topic is “Why is Higher Ed the Toughest Gig in all the Web?” and had generated a lot of conversation in the blogosphere. While my intention was to explore the easy/challenging continuum, many people also explored the good/bad continuum. This got me thinking if Higher Ed is such a great place for a web professional to work, why do so many quality people spend considerable time and effort outside of their full-time jobs.

Second, I read the book “Drive” by Dan Pink twice this spring (yes, I liked it!) This book explores what motivates us and how traditional carrot and stick approach (i.e. money) doesn’t work. Pink maintains that the three elements of true motivation are autonomy, mastery and purpose. This got me again thinking about why good higher ed web people take on extra work.

I think there is a relationship between the two.

]]> By: RD http://www.markgr.com/whats-wrong-with-this-picture/#comment-15885 RD Mon, 12 Apr 2010 22:17:11 +0000 http://www.markgr.com/?p=261#comment-15885 On the topic of freelancing for other higher ed institutions... that is the one area where I do not freelance so as to avoid even the perception of a conflict of interest. In fact, most of the freelancing that I do is for small businesses, e-commerce sites, non-profits or independent consultants in other industries (ex: event promoter, realtor, etc.) On the topic of freelancing for other higher ed institutions… that is the one area where I do not freelance so as to avoid even the perception of a conflict of interest. In fact, most of the freelancing that I do is for small businesses, e-commerce sites, non-profits or independent consultants in other industries (ex: event promoter, realtor, etc.)

]]> By: RD http://www.markgr.com/whats-wrong-with-this-picture/#comment-15883 RD Mon, 12 Apr 2010 22:09:44 +0000 http://www.markgr.com/?p=261#comment-15883 Mark, my apologies for straying off-topic... I did have more to say on the issue, but I'll save it for a future post on pros and cons if you decide to do one. :) To respond to your question... As others have stated, I freelance as a way to supplement my income, and as a way to utilize some of the skills that I don't get to use as often in my higher-ed job, or to apply them in different ways. I like Christina's description of it as "cross-training" Mark, my apologies for straying off-topic… I did have more to say on the issue, but I’ll save it for a future post on pros and cons if you decide to do one. :)

To respond to your question… As others have stated, I freelance as a way to supplement my income, and as a way to utilize some of the skills that I don’t get to use as often in my higher-ed job, or to apply them in different ways. I like Christina’s description of it as “cross-training”

]]> By: Mark Greenfield http://www.markgr.com/whats-wrong-with-this-picture/#comment-15882 Mark Greenfield Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:17:43 +0000 http://www.markgr.com/?p=261#comment-15882 Kyle - Great point. I've always been impressed with how willing higher ed folks share best practices, even with direct competitors! It's downright collegial :) Seriously, we should think about the potential conflict of interest. For my consulting work, we identify the direct and indirect competitors ahead of time and these schools are off-limits for me. Kyle -

Great point. I’ve always been impressed with how willing higher ed folks share best practices, even with direct competitors! It’s downright collegial :)

Seriously, we should think about the potential conflict of interest. For my consulting work, we identify the direct and indirect competitors ahead of time and these schools are off-limits for me.

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