So... I was in an AJ&Smart IG Live this week about how I use workshops at H&M Group. AJ&Smart is a design agency based in Berlin that I have been following ever since 2019. Their CEO Jonathan Courtney had a huge impact on my career since he's one of the hosts of my favorite "design" podcast, Jake & Jonathan (the other host being Jake Knapp who wrote Sprint). It was one of several things that made me transition into becoming more holistic as a designer.
How to collab with your heroes
I ended up on their IG Live because of a networking technique that I learned through them. I started using it last year and had good results, but landing this IG Live was definitely the biggest result of the technique.
The basic idea is to make other people look good and they will usually help you back. What happened exactly?
I follow them on Instagram and see that they were going to host a ClubHouse talk.
I join their talk and upload a story on IG stories about it.
The AJ&Smart IG account replies that they hope that I liked it.
We have some back and forth talking about workshops. I know that they're heavily promoting workshops – they published a book called The Workshopper Playbook (which I had bought).
Knowing this, I mention that I work in the Innovation function of H&M Group where I run workshops inspired by AJ&Smart teachings. At this point, I'm thinking of the exchange as a way to build a relationship with them and express my gratitude for their content.
So it takes me by surprise when they ask if I want to collab with them.
Two weeks later I’m talking to Anastasia, their Brand Strategist, in an IG Live.
Dream a little
If you had told me in 2019 that I would collaborate in some way with the people at AJ&Smart I wouldn't believe you. I also wouldn't believe that I'd move back to Sweden to work at H&M Group while there's a pandemic – but hey, here we are.
The take-away
What you should learn from this is that it pays off to think about how you can help the people you want to build relationships with. Also, I want to stress that you shouldn't expect anything in return - that would make it come from the wrong place. Help them unconditionally and you'll get to do things you wouldn't dream of.
My favorite things this week
Article: Jonathan Courtney summarizes why it's not enough to just know UX as a UX designer. He argues you should also know business; mainly product strategy, growth, and marketing. I believe following his advice has given me an edge.
Video: I've been hearing about the 4-hour work SO many times. Ali summarizes it well in this video. Now I feel inspired and will pick it up as my next book to read.
Quotes of the week
The first and most basic rule of keeping your emotional cool is to bite your tongue. Not literally, of course. But you have to keep away from knee-jerk, passionate reactions. Pause. Think. Let the passion dissipate. That allows you to collect your thoughts and be more circumspect in what you say.
From “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss.
Last week’s content
I forgot to mention in last week's newsletter that I had a workshop live stream on Superpeer! In it, I showed how I design custom remote workshops at H&M Group.
I also let the viewers participate - quite risky! I was worried about the result but it went great! You can view the recording on Superpeer.