Talking Turkey

.....we know it’s not quite the season.. :)

A Big, big thanks to everyone who has responded to us by email of late, with all your thoughts, notes views and interpretations of the world of Grape and Grey. We’ve had some great feedback on our site, our logo and our blog...we’ll call that “market intelligence from our focus groups” shall we...?! Some of it has been critical, some of it flattering but on balance, and being all grown up about it, we have taken the bold step of listening to all of you, (well most of you anyway) and we’ve decided to give you exactly what you want from our blog (for starters, other bits and pieces coming soon!!)

Seems our hale and hearty approach wasn’t quite cutting la moutarde and that in fact, what you really, really want is..................our ToBs...yes, our terms of business...and a little more clarification on what industry sectors we do and don’t cover. We consider your views to be an extremely positive step and it looks as though a number of you are inching towards getting in touch at some point soon (excellent news!!) So, without further ado this is how it is at Grape and Grey:

We Do.....

1. Like lists
2. Have a team of highly experienced recruitment and media professionals here who find and often create opportunities for exceptional people who fall into the following categories: (All being on and offline, and all freelance, contract or permanent, client and agency side)
3. Client Service Professionals – (incl ATL, BTL, TTL, Integrated and specialist) from Account Exec to GAD includes PR, Marketing, Business Development, Media Planners & Buyers, Media Strategists, Social Media Managers, Digital Strategists.
4. Designers – Digital and Graphic - includes art workers, designers, copywriters, creative directors, art directors, branding specialists, studio managers, product and packaging specialists, animators, illustrators and everything linked to the design world.
5. Developers - Front and Back-End and most things in between!
6. Production and Project Managers – all levels
7. Research and Development - data analysts to NPD geniuses: SEO / PPC / PPA / ROI etc...!
8. Film / Music / TV – Directors, Producers, runners, Sound Engineers, Digital Projection, Video Editors

Behind the Scenes – Administration, Finance and Office Support Staff

We Don't.....

1. Like chaos
2. Employ individuals who don’t know what they are talking about
3. Have every possible role listed opposite, so just shout if you’re unsure
4. Take a brief, promise you the earth and deliver nothing – we’ll tell you straight if we can help or not
5. Waste your time or ours!
6. Do business just via email...We prefer to meet you, get a feel for your business, your objectives, your culture and your work place. We like to operate as your business partners and in doing so this makes quality candidate attraction to your company SOOOOOOOOOOO much easier if we know what you’re like, plus we know who is going to work well in your environment and who isn’t!
7. Accept every candidate who applies to Grape and Grey – We are extremely selective about our candidates. They undergo a rigorous selection procedure and if they don’t get through that, they don’t get registered and you’ll never meet them!
8. Expect you to do the candidate cv vetting!
9. Bombard you with thousands of follow up calls and emails, you know what you want, we know you’re busy, give us feedback when you can.
10. On purpose go out of our way to get things wrong. If we do, let us know and we’ll sort it!!!

The “Luke-Commotion”..

What a crazy, crazy time we’re having here at Grape and Grey. Donuts are being swallowed at an unappetising rate, tea is being swigged as soon as it hits the desks and the briefs keep on funnelling in – thank you to all who have put your tootsies in the vat which is Grape and Grey (we hope it’s been a good experience for you all - and that you’ll be coming back for more- you could let us know if you like, nicely does it though, eh?)

It had to happen at some point but we’re all of a “controlled” dither about how quickly things have taken off so we’ve just had to deal with it head on. Recent events have caused quite a stir, with the arrival of our new teamster -Luke - Hence the tie-in with the “commotion” thing, I know, I know, it’s poor and I’m sorry for that, I don’t even like trains, but I don’t claim to be a copywriter either, so just pretend it never happened and move on....quickly....please....

SOOOO, back to Luke – I’ve been told to “big him up” so here you go, see if this works... OK, he is talented, I’ll give him that. Alright, he’s also damn good-looking, - women can see through that can’t they..? And everyone loves him already and he’s only been in the office a couple of days...

ANYWAYS...we’re of course delighted to welcome Luke to the team (yes, really) He will be heading up the Design section for Grape and Grey so if you’re in need of a cheeky designer or two, freelance or perm, web, graphic, hybrid or whatever, then Luke is your man. He’s extremely experienced, and comes with an established network of contacts (or so he claimed on interview, time will tell Lukey-boy, and I’m watching you.... ) Well, see for yourself. That’s enough about Luke. Mind you, how on earth he managed to squeeze his way into the team is a mystery...the guys are ruthless with candidates, clearly slightly different with good-looking employees.....am I sounding bitter....? ......maybe just a tiny bit...

So there you have it, we’re getting bigger, life is good....roll up, roll up... That OK for you, Lukey..?

While we're on the subject of candidates, do have a look at our Twitter page where we tweet our latest and hottest available candidates!

http://twitter.com/jezgrapeandgrey/

Snow Patrol....

Well, things are most certainly picking up at a considerable pace here at Grape and Grey – snow mountains can’t stop our sledges (maybe we should be running the road networks instead –thoughts, comments? All still welcome.....Will leave that with you then)

Let’s turn our attentions to our Partnerships Manager who has been on the road, 24/7 (well, let’s not exaggerate ridiculously or you won’t believe us next time) let’s say, most days then.

She claims to have met some seriously interesting people on her travels, were you one of them..? Well, you’ll find out in a mo... I even wished I’d come along on a few meetings, if only they’d let me out but, oh no, someone’s got to stay home and make sure the team have donuts and tea – who do they think they are?!

Anyway, she tells us there’s this fab company, oooooh, somewhere in London with what seemed to her to be a museum paying homage to all things techie over the ages...was it your display..? She was very impressed.. They apparently have a seriously cool set up, white washed walls, beams, post-it notes a-go-go and tonnes of uber cool people just sort of hanging out doing clever stuff and saying clever things. Apparently, or so she tells us, she did manage to hold her own in quite a compelling way...(good job we weren’t there to check up, sweetie)

BUT what she did ask me to say to y’all was whether you’ve been “partner’d” by our lovely Partnerships Manager and if you had, to invite you, (now that IS brave, what is she thinking??!!) to write in with comments on what you thought of your meeting with her and your first encounter with Grape and Grey..Hell, I’m outa here......

So, there you have it. Let the floodgates open. Let’s hear it. Let’s read all about it. Let’s make sure our Partnerships manager is earning those big, bad bucks!

She claims she wants to make sure you’re getting the service you deserve BUT, really we reckon she’s only tapped up those she knows will say nice things ! (she claims ignorance on that one) The ball’s in your court....

Oh, and going back to the uber cool folk, one fab industry prediction from one fab industry insider, in a nutshell: ”mobile will do this year what social media did last year”

Think on that !

And finally, as for candidates she and the team have met over the last week, well there’s a lot of talent out there, give us a call and find out for yourself. The network is widening and the candidates are serious.