PlattForm Life and Times

Nope, I’ll guarantee you we’ve collectively lost our ever-lovin’ minds. That translates in to chaotic fun and unrelenting frivolity almost on a daily basis.

On Tuesday, we had a meeting of upper management. It happens four times a year. There are about 75 of us who help chart the direction of the agency. We all get together for a “what-the-hell-is-your-team-doing-that-we-should-be-aware-of-and-gosh-have-you-lost-weight-you-look-good” mind meld.

After 30 minutes of pleasantries and agenda items, we were informed that we were going to be broken up into groups of five … for a “team-building exercise”. In most companies, this announcement is followed by an eye-rolling, groan-inducing wave of insubordinate dissention. At PlattForm, the last time we had team-building, there was ice cream involved – so how bad can it be? Although – come to think of it – two recent group activities have involved trips to the emergency room … less I digress.

This time around we had a good ol’ fashioned scavenger hunt. You know, where players have to scramble to find an arbitrary list of miscellaneous items in an allotted amount of time. Our team was determined to win no matter what the cost or what laws we’d have to break.

While I’m familiar with the premise, I’ve never been on a scavenger hunt before. This one seemed even more ridiculous and more random than usual. My team went for the big ticket items. Get a picture taken holding a snake. Get an authentic recipe from an Italian restaurant. Bring back the mayor. (Believe me, he wasn’t happy about it.)
And the list went on and on.

Picture of a mullet. Concert poster. Bird feather. Origami swan. A lock of hair from a stranger’s head. Photo of a family with four or more kids.

I found myself walking up to complete strangers like a crazy person and asking for things. Most obliged and didn’t ask questions. Obviously they had been on scavenger hunts before. In the end, we ended up winning by THREE points over our nearest competitor. It was our gas receipt for $.50 that helped propel us to victory.

If your company hasn’t had fun lately … I’d strongly suggest a scavenger hunt. PlattForm’s motto? “That which does not kill us — only makes us win more gift cards!”

Think back to the first day of school, possibly where you didn’t know anyone, and you sit there staring at the wall, your hands, the desk or anything else to avoid eye contact. One would think this wouldn’t ever happen again once school is completely over but that is not the case.

As most new kids in class, you feel this anxiety of starting your first day in a new environment and ask yourself: “Was this the best decision?” “Will I get along with everyone?” “Why does it feel like I’m starting over again?” The anxiety just keeps building and building.

Lucky for me, I knew the moment I sat down on my first day with Jan that this was the place for me. I came from the event marketing world and had background in Higher Education, so it just makes sense professionally to combine my experiences into one. That is why I am excited to be at PlattForm!

How can I describe this place? Typical ad agency? Kind of, but not really. We dress more casual than most businesses, which means jeans are allowed every day of the week! On our breaks we can enjoy a game of ping pong, playing video games on the Wii, and even relax in the yoga room. We have random eating competitions between departments, video messages about fun events, and occasionally costume contests. PF is so much more than a ‘typical’ ad agency!

Everyone is on the same side, willing to put forth that extra 150% and strive to meet the needs of our clients. Not to mention, I was welcomed into the company with open arms and everyone is willing to takes steps to ensure my success.

A main goal within the company is to dive right in, get involved and progress quickly. Goals are posted all over the company, which is very motivating and inspiring. I have goals in my life but keep them to myself until they are achieved and then create new ones. Now, I have weekly, monthly, and annual: team, department, company, internal client and external client goals. It is definitely a shift from the average, “Set three goals and we will review them sometime” business style. It is actually refreshing to have a breakdown of these goals to really achieve.

Goal: writing a Blog. Mission accomplished!

Wow, over 2 months ago I started at PlattForm! Achieved a few goals, and with all the experiences I have gained I feel like I have worked here for years, but in a good way!

KC Magazine Honors Tracy Kreikemeier with selection to 50 Most Influential Women List

This March, our favorite Cornhusker fan finally gets her due. KCB Magazine announced its fourth annual list of the 50 Most Influential Women in Kansas City and it includes our CMO, Tracy Kreikemeier.

The publication’s selections were taken from nominations made by local business executives and ultimately decided by ranking the candidates according to the following criteria: business acumen, career advancement and/or entrepreneurial spirit; board affiliation; community involvement; and awards and recognition.

“It’s an honor … and it’s exciting, but it would have never happened without the support of so many other people who believed in me and who helped point me in the right direction when I needed it,” Kreikemeier said.

KCB Magazine, published by Anthem Publishing, Inc., is a monthly business lifestyle magazine available at bookstores and newsstands in greater Kansas City, and via subscription.

Tracy’s work ethic and sincerity in relating to her friends and coworkers here have already taken her to the top of the PlattForm organization and increased her profile within the career education sector. But outside our company’s walls, Tracy has been a quietly kept secret of corporate achievement in the local business community.

As CMO, Kreikemeier oversees the Client Services, PR & Marketing divisions of PlattForm. She is deeply involved in forming marketing strategies for PlattForm clients, and everyone knows she logs thousands of flying miles every month for client visits. But she is also responsible for guaranteeing consistent sales and marketing materials.

She said her favorite aspect of her job is people, both her PlattForm coworkers and the company’s clients.
While she’s not one to attract attention to herself (we had to convince her to go through with this article), the corporate world has taken notice anyway. Congratulations, Tracy!

After countless tux rentals, countless entry fees and countless disappointing losses, PlattForm finally scored the elusive Emmy award Saturday night for our pro-bono work. I was beginning to think it wasn’t going to happen. So like any good optimist, I told everyone we were going to win. I willed it to happen. Well, that and the judging panel finally came to their senses.

Nothing is worse than losing when you’re oh-so sure you’re going to win. You’ve mentally prepared yourself and you’ve rehearsed your speech ad nausea. And then you lose and you still have to smile and politely clap. You’re forced to sit through 84 more categories while you are served coffee and dessert. Usually, I’m so disgruntled I’ll eat six or seven desserts.

On Saturday, all the planets were aligned. Every single nominee at our table walked away with their respective award. And my boss, who had never won an Emmy, was absolutely over the moon. We decided he would give the acceptance speech 1) because he had never done it before and 2) because he’s my boss and told me he was giving it regardless. I was thrilled for him.

The video was for SAVE, Inc. — a local Kansas City charity that does housing options for men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS. It was the third video we’ve produced for them. Each of them had garnered nominations – so we were bound to win sooner or later. (Apparently later than sooner.) The Executive Director of the organization was on hand last night to accept the award with us … which was even more gratifying. You can watch the video here: http://creative.plattformad.com/tvFlash.php?id=8#creative

All in all, it was a great night. And it was great to see us finally bring home the gold for SAVE, Inc. They do such phenomenal things in the community with such limited resources. It’s been a privilege helping PlattForm work hand in hand with them for the last five years.

On August 4th 2009 my cousin (apparently we look more like sisters) Lindsay and her traveling bake sale “Gus’ Goodies” came to Plattform to share their knowledge on Autism and delicious treats! They had anything from Chocolate Chip cookies to Monster cookies, and of course it wouldn’t be a bake sale if Rice Crispy Treats weren’t involved! YUMMY- my mouth is watering thinking about the great goodness!

Lindsay, who is a 3rd Grade Teacher at a local elementary school, started the traveling bake sale to raise money and awareness for autism, as well as improve the social and communication skills of one of her students (Gus) who has autism.

Once I heard about what Lindsay was doing, I suggested she should have Gus and his goodies come to Plattform. The people here are so nice and it is a great environment for Gus to be around – I mean c’mon, we have a WII! Boy was I correct! Not only did we raise $400 worth of donations, but one person in particular made an impact. A woman came up to Gus- who at the time was more intrigued by the red balloons than the bake sale- knelt down to his level and said “Hey Gus, how are? Can you tell me more about Autism?” This unknown person was wearing a gray cardigan and had “cute” short black hair (can you tell that this is the portion of the time I was not there?). This really made an impact on Gus. Anyhoodles, to the gray cardigan, cute-haired girl, as well as the rest of the great employees of Plattform, myself and Gus’ Goodies say thank you for your generous donations and participation! It was definitely a successful event – Gus got to play WII, while the Plattformer’s had a sugar overdose and expanded their knowledge on Autism!