Within 24 hours of the public announcement that there was a tiger loose somewhere near Delmas, said tiger had a Twitter profile and a publicist.  Aside from kicking myself for not seeing the perfect opportunity to snap up this prime client myself, I did find time to ‘follow’ and then engage in several hilarious (and bizarre) conversations with the escaped feline.

Just a regular Tuesday night really.  Watching dodgy reality TV and talking to a tiger. On twitter.  Negotiating appearance fees (in fillet steak), weighing up the pros and cons of securing Tiger VS established MC, giving valuable tips (don’t eat anyone) and diving every conceivable ‘cat’ joke around. 

If the thought of this doesn’t make you remotely excited about the awesomeness that is our industry and the bizarre, left-of-centre opportunities that exist... then you really should be thinking of handing in your resignation and taking up that desk job.

PR rules.  So does Panjo (I promised his publicist I would add a punt wherever possible).Picture attached of the now infamous Panjo. 

There are two things that take up the most of my time.  My child – tempestuous, deviant toddler Diva-Eva – and work, specifically client relations.  When 80% of your day is dominated by these two things, it’s natural to start blurring the lines between the two.  I must point out some obvious parallels that I have drawn over the last few months.

Kids like routine:

Just like kids, clients like routine.  Don’t set precedents then fail to maintain them.  Should you unwisely do so, expect questions to be asked and on the old occasion, tantrums.  I once forgot to take Diva-Eva on her daily walk.  I never slept that night.  She made sure she expressed her dissatisfaction every hour on the hour through the night.

 Kids act weird when something is amiss:

Today Diva-Eva is not herself.  She is sitting ever-so-quietly on the couch watching TV.  Not climbing on anything, breaking anything or whining about anything.  This is strange.  Something is up.  She’s plotting, she’s mad at me or she’s ill.  The same applies for your clients – if they suddenly appear to be acting differently, you should realise that something is up.  Get in on the plotting (it could be a huge account scoop, some added value you can throw in), uncover the reasons for the possible madness (it could be you, or if you’re lucky, someone else.  Either way, the client will appreciate the gesture and your efforts towards solving the problem).  And if, of course, your client is ill, there’s the added opportunity to send over some flowers, offer some additional help or take another thing off their plate.   Clients, just like kids, can always do with a little help and intuition.

 Kids like to be surprised

I recently bought Diva-Eva some rubbish R90 doll from Pick n Pay.  She kept stealing someone else’s, so I thought it the decent ‘parent-y’ thing to do to get her her very own.  When i came home with said gift in hand, the look of sheer exuberance on her face (partially camouflaged by some half-chewed butternut) was sheer ecstasy.  The fact that she spent more time playing with the box and that the poor doll is now living in the garden is irrelevant.  The surprise is what counts.   Clients also like surprises.  And not necessarily ones that come gift wrapped in boxes.  New ideas, added value, quicker systems...these all count as fabulous surprises for clients – and don’t have to cost a cent.

Kids grow up

Too quickly.  Notwithstanding the small fortunes you land up spending on clothes that last two weeks before they are too small, kids need new and exciting things to stimulate them.  Don’t expect to regurgitate the same routine for very long.  I find myself already having to adapt to the needs of a toddler – all of a sudden, playing peekaboo through the duvet is no longer as fun as it was three weeks ago.  Diva-Eva is too cool for Chicco, Fisher Price and Tiny Love.  I will soon have to venture into the overpriced world of Barbie, Dora the Explorer and that once-innocent Hannah Montana.    Clients are the same.  They grow up, their needs change and they look for new exciting things that challenge them.  Make sure you aren’t stuck singing nursery rhymes when your client is already on hard rock.

Keri-Ann recently 'gifted' me a trip to the 2010 Li Edelkoort Trends Seminar - a gathering of the who's who of the fashion and lifestyle sectors, all eagerly (and rather bemusingly) hanging on the every word of a woman who I consider to either be a brilliant mind, or indulging in several illegal narcotics washed down with a few voddies.

Once the shame of arriving underdressed, almost late and without the applicable accessories (small dog in handbag, expensive jewels, colour chart, eager anticipation) had subsided, we were ushered into a smallish conference room at The Campus to begin what can only be described in words not suitable for blogging - one of the words is 'mind', the other is an expletive that rhymes with duck.

The sheer brilliance of the imagery and audio clips is something best suited for a fresh morning start (not a 2-5pm slot) and would certainly have even the most discerning creative genius in a flurry - almost a distraction from the heaps of information contained in Edelkoort's Spring and Winter 2011 Trends prediction.

There really is no way to try and explain my way through the trends, and this is definitely an experience you would need to live through yourself in order to fully appreciate it, but I will attempt to give a quick rundown of what to expect (fashion and lifestyle-wise) for the upcoming seasons.

Spring: Ladies, gents, its all about water.  Water in every sense of the word - from source to ocean.  Think tones of blues and greens, cascading ruffles, volume, tranquility.  Its a return to linens, sequins and understated glamour.  There's an edge of vulnerability, playfullness and youth - bring out the bold patterns, the Mediterranean edge and the creased easy-to-care for materials. 

Winter: Fashion takes flight - get out of the box and think birds.  BIRDS? Ahh, yes.  At this point, I start to question the sanity of Edelkoort but the fabulous pictures she uses really does do much to convince you she may just be on point.  The bird theme runs throughout all types of feathery friends - weavers, pheasants, cockatiels and even the odd pigeon or two.  Key winter trends are interesting silhouettes (created from the side, not the front), big nerdy glasses (think owls) and red accessories. Navy is the new black, headresses are in, and even a revive of the 80's Flash dance gear (toned down in muted pastel colours).

Lifestyle: The home is where it's at.  Creating a nest, a place of refuge, safety and obscurity.  People will become more interested in blending in with the environment, not sticking out.  We want to be able to use our homes as places to reflect; introspective homes that reflect our deepest drivers and interests.  My home is my nest, my hive, my refuge. 

Overall comments: Edelkoort always does a marvellous job of wrapping up global trends in a relevant way.  Her comment on the recent global baby-boom hit a particularly appropriate nerve (as I found myself frantically wiping baby goo off my jacket upon arrival at the event).  Men are becoming more family orientated, women are more domineering and the world is generally a happier, more peaceful place.  Our ability to deal with natural disasters, acts of terrorism etc has greatly improved; these things will continue, but it is our predisposition to letting them go by unnoticed that will change.  People are stronger, economies are back on their feet and South Africa is entering it's 'teen' years - full of discovery, tantrums and growth.

This is but a mere drop in the ocean (haha get it, there's my clever tie in with Spring 2011 - I am such a trendy!) and I am more than happy to give a full rundown should the need arise.  But for now, I strongly suggest you dig out ye ol' hog bank and start saving those pennies for the next installment of Edelkoort's trends seminar.  Even if you are just going to spend three hours completely mesmerised by the sheer beauty of the AV.