{"id":3059,"date":"2011-10-06T00:14:13","date_gmt":"2011-10-05T16:14:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/inhaoxu.com\/blog\/?p=3059"},"modified":"2011-10-06T00:14:13","modified_gmt":"2011-10-05T16:14:13","slug":"5-steps-for-taking-on-something-new","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inhaoxu.com\/blog\/?p=3059","title":{"rendered":"5 Steps for Taking on Something New"},"content":{"rendered":"

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It\u2019s a scenario most solo web professionals find themselves in now and then: You have the opportunity to work on a project that includes something you haven\u2019t done before, and that\u00a0something<\/em>\u00a0is pretty big. Maybe it\u2019s editing video for the web, conducting user-testing, or creating a\u00a0mobile web design<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Whatever it is, it seems to be a capability worth adding to your repertoire.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But how do you know if it\u2019s the right move? And what should you tell your client about your lack of experience?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s happened to me, both as an independent consultant and as the owner of a small design and development firm (Poccuo<\/a>).<\/p>\n

After countless conversations about “investing in learning” and “the ethics of competency,” I figured I\u2019d share five steps that I fall back on when the opportunity to add a new capability pops up.<\/p>\n

1. Do Your Homework<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re considering taking on a task you haven\u2019t tackled before, it\u2019s key to understand what\u2019s involved before you commit to the project.<\/p>\n

Take some time to check out blogs, books, tutorials, and tech docs on the subject. Don\u2019t worry about the details just yet, just the big picture: Are you confident that you can tackle the task? How much time will it take to learn the ins-and-outs? Will you need new hardware\/software?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve taken a good look at what\u2019s involved, you can make an informed judgment about how doable it really is.<\/p>\n

Feeling iffy, unclear, or like you could easily get in over your head? Then it\u2019s probably not a good fit, or at least not something that you want to try to learn in the context of client work.<\/p>\n

2. Decide If It\u2019s a Good Fit<\/h3>\n

Just because you can, doesn\u2019t mean that you should, right? Deciding on taking on something new and investing your time in learning a new capability isn\u2019t just about the project at hand, but also about where you want to go after that project.<\/p>\n

I usually try to avoid business clich\u00e9s like “think about your long-term strategy,” but in this case, it applies completely.<\/p>\n

Learning usually involves a significant investment of time and effort, whether in the form of formal training or trial and error. Additionally, a new skill is like a car \u2014 it needs constant maintenance and regular refueling, both of which take time and resources.<\/p>\n

In the context of client work, it\u2019s inherently more stressful and risky to decide to take on something new than sticking to your tried-and-true skills.<\/p>\n

Below are some questions to ask yourself to help you decide if taking on something new is an investment worth making.<\/p>\n

Will this new skill extend your capabilities in a way that makes sense?<\/strong>\u00a0If the service is in demand and will help you land future projects \u2014 for example designing\/developing mobile sites is currently a lucrative and relatively new space \u2014 then it\u2019s probably a good investment because you\u2019ll achieve an ongoing return.<\/p>\n

But if the project requires you to learn an outdated programming language that no one is likely to ask for down the road, it may not be the best way to use your resources. Sure, you\u2019ll be able to tackle the project at hand, but then what? If the skill doesn\u2019t\u00a0make you more marketable<\/a>, it often makes more sense to subcontract the work or skip the project so you can focus on new capabilities that have more reach.<\/p>\n

Do you have room in your schedule for learning?<\/strong>\u00a0Learning takes focus and time, and when you learn a new capability, you want to make sure to build a full understanding of it.<\/p>\n

If the new skill you\u2019re tackling is\u00a0coding HTML email templates<\/a>, for example, hacking at a template until it “works” may get you through the project, but it won\u2019t help much the next go-round.<\/p>\n

When you\u2019re adding a skill, try to learn the fundamental “how and why” so you can extend the new capability to a broader range of future projects. What\u2019s this have to do with your schedule? When you\u2019re rushed, you tend to focus on learning just enough to get it done and, a lot of the time, that isn\u2019t enough to resell later.<\/p>\n

Will you like where it takes you?<\/strong>\u00a0Your goals should dictate the services you offer, not vice versa. If your goal is to focus more on\u00a0information architecture<\/a>\u00a0and less on programming,\u00a0learning jQuery<\/a>\u00a0won\u2019t help you get there.<\/p>\n

Consider if the new skill moves you in a direction you want to go, and don\u2019t be afraid to turn a project down when the new capability involved doesn\u2019t. In my experience, the “Jack of all trades, master of none” approach doesn\u2019t map very well to web design and development.<\/p>\n

3. Consider Finding Help<\/h3>\n

If the task you\u2019re trying to take on is hefty, the project has a tight timeline, or you\u2019re just not sure where to start, then it may be a good idea to find someone who can help.<\/p>\n

My suggestion: track down a freelancer who has the experience you\u2019re missing and ask them to provide consultation to help you get started on the right foot. Then if you get stuck, you\u2019ll have someone you can ping for advice. It may be a bit of an investment (possibly one that the client won\u2019t care to pay for), but in my experience, the stress it eliminates is well worth it.<\/p>\n

4. Be Up Front<\/h3>\n

When a potential client asks you to do something you haven\u2019t done before, you don\u2019t have to decline, but you should be up front about your lack of experience.<\/p>\n

Being direct shows that you\u2019re looking out for the client\u2019s best interests, and that you\u2019re confident in your ability to tackle the new task. The worst case: they\u2019ll tell you they need someone with previous experience, but you\u2019ll at least have left them with the impression that you\u2019re honest.<\/p>\n

“There is no litmus test to say one firm can do the job and the other can\u2019t, or that a firm without a certain kind of experience can\u2019t learn.”- AIGA.\u00a0“A Client\u2019s Guide to Design: How to Get the Most Out of the Process”<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Whatever you do, avoid creating the impression that you have experience that you don\u2019t actually have. Misrepresenting your capabilities is a lot like lying on your resume: unethical and, sometimes, actionable.<\/p>\n

If you feel the client is getting the wrong impression about the services you provide or experience you have, don\u2019t shrug it off \u2014 address it immediately. Otherwise, if things don\u2019t go smoothly, the client will probably feel misled and, if the circumstances are serious enough, may even try to go after you legally.<\/p>\n

And from a legal standpoint, if something untrue is presented as a fact, or if a critical fact is concealed or left out of the conversation, it\u2019s misrepresentation. It isn\u2019t necessary that misrepresentation be intentionally deceptive (when it\u2019s not, it\u2019s called\u00a0innocent misrepresentation<\/em>). If your client entered into the contract based on misrepresentation, a court may rule that the contract is voidable. Depending on the state and scenario, the client could try to collect damages.<\/p>\n

So, be honest, clear, and careful.<\/p>\n

5. Make a Strong Case<\/h3>\n

Put yourself in the client\u2019s shoes. What will they be worried about when you let them know you want to take on the project, even though it\u2019s something you haven\u2019t done before?<\/p>\n

Usually, two things: If it will get done\u00a0right<\/em>, and if it will get done on\u00a0time<\/em>. Make it your mission to show them it will.<\/p>\n

When you talk to your client, share your research (and test runs) and explain how any experience or knowledge from past projects will help you tackle their request. I often find myself saying things like, “While I\u2019ve never worked with\u00a0MooTools<\/a>, I\u2019ve done plenty with JS and jQuery, so I won\u2019t be starting from scratch.” It can also help to reference a few projects that exemplify your ability to capture a new skill on the fly.<\/p>\n

In my experience, clients tend to evaluate designers and developers based on personality and portfolio. If you have those two covered \u2014 and can show a track record for successfully taking on new tasks \u2014 then I think you\u2019ll find that clients will give you a shot at the project.<\/p>\n

Final Thoughts<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Learning a new skill can be tricky, particularly when it\u2019s being done in the context of client work.<\/p>\n

And while it\u2019s never black-and-white, I hope these tips will prove to be a helpful starting point the next time the opportunity presents itself for you to add, or to not add, a capability.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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