CNN has a report out by Tom Cohen, on a report released by Republican leadership entitled “Summertime Blues.” The report cited 100 projects funded by the Recovery Act of 2009 – you remember the $862 billion economic stimulus bill.  The report, as you might imagine coming from the Republican side of the aisle, highlights what they feel are wastes of money.  I would have to agree –and some of the projects that they highlight appear to be of dubious purpose and little merit.  Unless, of course you are a choreographer who wants to design dance moves with ‘interactive dance choreography.’  I’m not a dance man, just a song guy who can’t carry a tune, so this report is right up my ally.

I tend to beat things to death, so armed with that insight, I will be brief.  Of course there is a lot of ‘funny stuff’ in here – it comes from Washington.  When haven’t we seen a lot of weird and funny expenditures from our leaders in D.C.  I’m not here to bury these guys, and I’d like to turn the attention closer to home.  What is happening in your company and industry right now – where is the boondoggle money going there?  It exists everywhere – just with more zeros behind them when it comes from Washington.

My experience in the business world shows that there are many great new projects that come from company leadership, or even worse, ownership.  Their pet projects often suck up significant resources, and prove fruitless.  A few actually work, very few.

My clients today are being confronted with a whole set of new challenges coming from the adoption of new selling and marketing strategies driven by digital.  My advice is to really do your homework.  Step back and get a better understanding of your clients, and then move forward.  Digital is an outstanding investment – if done right.  Take your time and invest wisely.  Call in the experts to help you create a good plan, that will be your best investment in time and money.