Today was a busy day, lots happening. Our new chairs for the Story Lab and the stools for the kitchen arrived. The Story Lab chairs are really comfortable and the stools are really nice. Any time you make a decision about something that is going to stick with you for a while you're nervous about how it's going to turn out. We were very relieved to see what we chose because they are comfortable and good looking.
We also got our Coke machine today. There was some debate over Coke versus Pepsi but Coke won out.
You can see pictures of the new chairs, stools and Coke machine tomorrow on the new home website www.ideasorlando.com/ideasnewhome
The first week we were in the new building our custodial people dripped a trail of liquid about 25 feet through the hallway. Needless to say that was quite disappointing. Today we had that trail along with some other drips cleaned and it looked great after. Of course we'll drip something tomorrow but for today, we're back to clean carpet.
We finally got our landlord to turn on the sprinklers in our front lawn so now they will come on twice a week. Between the heat and the sprinklers not going on in months our front lawn was pretty crunchy and the landscaping was looking pretty homely so hopefully a little water will do everything some good.
As if that wasn't enough for one day, our real estate agent from Golfpark Properties bought us lunch today in celebration of our new home. It was really nice, it was our first food gathering in the new building.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Our First Edit Session
Yesterday we did our first edit session. It was a small one but you have to start somewhere. It was actually kind of fitting that the session was for a client we have been working with since 2001. It's an ongoing monthly project that we do a update each month. It made me think how for most of our clients our move downtown will be seamless. We work with a lot of clients who we don't see much face to face. As far as they are concerned we could be in Kansas. As long as we can fulfill the request it doesn't matter where we are and this proved that.
Now that we have one edit suite up it's on to the next one for Dennis and team. By the time I left today the Final Cut was up and functional. A lot of work still to get machine control and some other little things but you have to start somewhere and it is nice to see monitors and computers on in two rooms. It's just in the nick of time as we have clients lining up for edit time. Keep it coming, that's why we have 3 edit suites.
Mary Anne and I went out today in quest of some things that may be part of our way finding in the building. We have two things that we're concentrating on that are related. First is the baby pictures with name plates outside everyone's office and the second is the way finding throughout the building. Mary Anne came up with an idea for way finding that would be a little different but cool. Today we were looking for possible lettering for the signage. For the pictures and name plates we're going to try to consolidate them into one thing. David & Mary Anne came up with an idea that would put the picture in a frame with our name on the picture. We'll see how it turns out. Our goal is to make both things informative but different.
Now that we have one edit suite up it's on to the next one for Dennis and team. By the time I left today the Final Cut was up and functional. A lot of work still to get machine control and some other little things but you have to start somewhere and it is nice to see monitors and computers on in two rooms. It's just in the nick of time as we have clients lining up for edit time. Keep it coming, that's why we have 3 edit suites.
Mary Anne and I went out today in quest of some things that may be part of our way finding in the building. We have two things that we're concentrating on that are related. First is the baby pictures with name plates outside everyone's office and the second is the way finding throughout the building. Mary Anne came up with an idea for way finding that would be a little different but cool. Today we were looking for possible lettering for the signage. For the pictures and name plates we're going to try to consolidate them into one thing. David & Mary Anne came up with an idea that would put the picture in a frame with our name on the picture. We'll see how it turns out. Our goal is to make both things informative but different.
Monday, April 27, 2009
New Webisodes?
I have received a couple e-mails asking when new webisodes will be on the website, iTunes and youtube. It looks like it will be a couple weeks still. We need to shoot more interviews and everyone has been so busy betting the new building up and running we haven't had the chance to do them. In addition, the edit suites are coming back up slowly but surely so until we're fully functional we couldn't get in there to edit anyway. Our plan is to shoot interviews next week or the week after so as soon as they are shot we should be able to get going again. Our plan is to have at least four more webisodes: The Building is Ready, Moving Day, Life in the New Building and Audio. I'll keep posting as things progress.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Lots to Report
I haven't posted since Wednesday but that's not because of a lack of things to talk about, just busy actually doing my job. Thursday I had a final walk through with people from Disney at the old building to answer questions and point out things. It was pretty painless. I mentioned all the things our staff and clients know all too well- the air conditioning is inconsistent, usually too cold, the flooring (carpeting and tile) is worn out and dated, the fluorescent lights and gray wall paper can drive you crazy after a while, etc. We'll officially turn over the building early next week.
At the new place, every day something new is up and running on the technical side. The design and programming department is fully functional with internet and high speed access to all of our servers. All the cables are run for the networks and edit suites, all the edit suites are set up, the machine room has some access and a couple other things. This week will see a lot of things totally up and running.
Mary Anne, David & I went to IKEA for another round of things for the building. Client desk for the Final Cut Pro suite (the Media Composer and Symphony already had their new client desks), stools for the cybercafe outside Christine's office, file cabinet for the Symphony suite, end tables for the lounge and a couple other little things. Speaking of the lounge, the remaining chairs came in on Thursday, very nice. There will be some pictures posted Monday or Tuesday.
Also on Friday I gave my first client tour. It was interesting to walk the building and getting a sense of tour flow, what to talk about, what not to, what things were important in the build out to us and what things don't matter as you're walking a client through. I've walked the building so many times in the last 6 months it's always interesting to see the reaction of someone doing it for the first time.
And finally, Friday afternoon we held our first of what will be many Friday afternoon Margarita parties. I bought a Jimmy Buffett Margarita machine as a house warming gift to the company and Friday afternoon, our 3 week anniversary of officially being in the new building, we broke it out with chips, salsa and guacamole. I think people enjoyed it.
At the new place, every day something new is up and running on the technical side. The design and programming department is fully functional with internet and high speed access to all of our servers. All the cables are run for the networks and edit suites, all the edit suites are set up, the machine room has some access and a couple other things. This week will see a lot of things totally up and running.
Mary Anne, David & I went to IKEA for another round of things for the building. Client desk for the Final Cut Pro suite (the Media Composer and Symphony already had their new client desks), stools for the cybercafe outside Christine's office, file cabinet for the Symphony suite, end tables for the lounge and a couple other little things. Speaking of the lounge, the remaining chairs came in on Thursday, very nice. There will be some pictures posted Monday or Tuesday.
Also on Friday I gave my first client tour. It was interesting to walk the building and getting a sense of tour flow, what to talk about, what not to, what things were important in the build out to us and what things don't matter as you're walking a client through. I've walked the building so many times in the last 6 months it's always interesting to see the reaction of someone doing it for the first time.
And finally, Friday afternoon we held our first of what will be many Friday afternoon Margarita parties. I bought a Jimmy Buffett Margarita machine as a house warming gift to the company and Friday afternoon, our 3 week anniversary of officially being in the new building, we broke it out with chips, salsa and guacamole. I think people enjoyed it.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Last Moving Day
Today was the last day of moving things from the old building to the new building. The only things left there are items we're not taking and things that are being recycled (to be picked up in the next couple days). Today was the Foley prop room, the final stuff from audio, miscellaneous equipment and all of our wall art. We'll finish with the recyclers in the next couple days and that will be it. The building will be turned over early next week.
At the new place today, Sam, Carlo and Michael got the edit suites situated and all the furniture where it's going. We'll be able to hook the edit systems up in a day or two and soon everything will be hooked in to the machine room and servers.
We're locked in with our date for the grand opening event with the Mayor and we're very close to locking in the date for our annual open house for clients and guests. This year will be interesting being the first year in the new building.
At the new place today, Sam, Carlo and Michael got the edit suites situated and all the furniture where it's going. We'll be able to hook the edit systems up in a day or two and soon everything will be hooked in to the machine room and servers.
We're locked in with our date for the grand opening event with the Mayor and we're very close to locking in the date for our annual open house for clients and guests. This year will be interesting being the first year in the new building.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Making Progress
A lot was accomplished today. Dennis & Dexter made a lot of progress getting the design & programming area fully connected to the Internet and within 24 hours they should be able to access our servers so that area will be fully functional. Sam & Rob continue to help out where they can testing connectors and running cable. The console in Audio B was put in and turned on and Rob's already getting it set up.
We had our walk through with Beth & Megen from Spectra Contract Flooring this morning to go through the punch list of things that need tweaking. And we started talking flooring for the audio rooms. Speaking of the audio rooms, the design of the mix room has been locked and now the acoustical designer is doing sound testing to ensure everything is designed properly. We expect to be handing off to the architect within a couple weeks then quickly on to construction.
We had our walk through with Beth & Megen from Spectra Contract Flooring this morning to go through the punch list of things that need tweaking. And we started talking flooring for the audio rooms. Speaking of the audio rooms, the design of the mix room has been locked and now the acoustical designer is doing sound testing to ensure everything is designed properly. We expect to be handing off to the architect within a couple weeks then quickly on to construction.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Our First Downtown Event
In addition to the usual continuing to get unpacked, settled and get the technical side of things up and running, a lot of us participated in our first event while being downtown yesterday. 13 people from our team, and a couple more of us for moral support, did the Corporate 5K. It was a run or walk that included over 11,000 people from companies in Central Florida. We came to work in the morning, did our thing all day, walked over to Lake Eola around 5:30pm, the race started around 6:45pm, we walked to a restaurant/bar after then walked back to the building to get our stuff and drive home at the end of the night. The convenience of having our building in downtown.
Pictures will be on the website later today www.ideasorlando.com/ideasnewhome
Pictures will be on the website later today www.ideasorlando.com/ideasnewhome
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Move Day #3
Today was move day #3 from the old building to the new building. Lots of stuff from audio. We had a large box truck and we ran out of room. We fully expected to have one last clean up move day next week so it looks like it will be a little more cleaning than we originally expected.
Dennis and team are working hard to get Audio B up and running and one of our edit suites up so we can get working. The plan is to have our design and programming department fully functional on Monday so the guys can stop working from home.
We sent out another e-mail blast today and got some very nice well wishes. We're having our first official staff meeting in the new building tomorrow so that will be nice. And David & Sam put together our new break room/kitchen tables. If we only had some stools with them. Still a couple weeks away on those so we'll use our old ones for a while.
Dennis and team are working hard to get Audio B up and running and one of our edit suites up so we can get working. The plan is to have our design and programming department fully functional on Monday so the guys can stop working from home.
We sent out another e-mail blast today and got some very nice well wishes. We're having our first official staff meeting in the new building tomorrow so that will be nice. And David & Sam put together our new break room/kitchen tables. If we only had some stools with them. Still a couple weeks away on those so we'll use our old ones for a while.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
More Packing & Unpacking
I started today at the old building. Dennis, Rob and the guys are in the final stages of tearing down Audio A & Audio B. I had not been in the old building since April 3 so to see how it now looks is surprising, amazing and of course a little sad. The best thing about moving to the new building is that we can start with a clean slate under the floor. You should see how much cable is under the old floor.
On the way downtown I stopped at IKEA and bought the new tables for our kitchen/break room. Then I got to the new building and continued the unpacking of my office. Each time I walk around the building it seems like a little more has been put away. Everyone, especially Christine, is doing their part of getting the building a little more presentable each day.
Tomorrow is move day #3 with the focus on moving the audio equipment. The console, outboard gear and Pro-Tools from Audio B will go into the new Audio B. The gear and Pro-Tools from Audio A will go in to one of our extra rooms and work stand alone until the new Audio A is built and the new ICON board arrives. Speaking of the new Audio A, while I was out last week we pretty much locked the design. From an acoustic standpoint, the room is going to be impeccable.
On the way downtown I stopped at IKEA and bought the new tables for our kitchen/break room. Then I got to the new building and continued the unpacking of my office. Each time I walk around the building it seems like a little more has been put away. Everyone, especially Christine, is doing their part of getting the building a little more presentable each day.
Tomorrow is move day #3 with the focus on moving the audio equipment. The console, outboard gear and Pro-Tools from Audio B will go into the new Audio B. The gear and Pro-Tools from Audio A will go in to one of our extra rooms and work stand alone until the new Audio A is built and the new ICON board arrives. Speaking of the new Audio A, while I was out last week we pretty much locked the design. From an acoustic standpoint, the room is going to be impeccable.
Monday, April 13, 2009
I'm Back
I'm back int he office today, my first day working in the new building. Just about everyone here has been in the new building for a week but this is my first day. Before I left I had not unpacked a single thing so I could barely get in my office this morning with all the boxes. I would say I'm about 60% unpacked so I'm feeling pretty good. I have internet (obviously), my phone, printer and scanner set up so I can function.
Lots happened while I was gone. Most of the technical equipment made the move here, some of the remaining furniture made it here and the Wii was set up! We're hoping all the technical stuff will be up and running early next week. We're also moving forward nicely with the design for the new audio space. It's going to be a smaller set up but I think the room is going to sound better since we can design it to our specs now instead of the specs of 20+ years ago like the old room was built for.
Lots happened while I was gone. Most of the technical equipment made the move here, some of the remaining furniture made it here and the Wii was set up! We're hoping all the technical stuff will be up and running early next week. We're also moving forward nicely with the design for the new audio space. It's going to be a smaller set up but I think the room is going to sound better since we can design it to our specs now instead of the specs of 20+ years ago like the old room was built for.
Friday, April 3, 2009
A Long Day
Today was a long day for everyone. Movers were there early, then they were delayed because of the rain, then we just had a lot of stuff. The trucks arrived at the new building around 1pm and everything was unloaded before 5pm. Only a few casualties and only the usual amount of the predicted damage to the building but all in all I would say it was a successful day. Any time that much happens in a day and there's only a little drama it's a good day.
It sounded like a lot of our team planned on being in over the weekend to get unpacked so by the time Monday rolls around people should be settling in to their new surroundings. Me, not so much. I leave tomorrow for a 7 day Disney Cruise. Not the best of timing but sometimes you can't control schedules. I left everything in boxes piled on my desk and will deal with it when I get back. What this also means is that probably no blogging for a week. I'll get back in the swing of things when I get back. Have a good week and check out pictures of the move on the website early next week www.ideasorlando.com/ideasnewhome
It sounded like a lot of our team planned on being in over the weekend to get unpacked so by the time Monday rolls around people should be settling in to their new surroundings. Me, not so much. I leave tomorrow for a 7 day Disney Cruise. Not the best of timing but sometimes you can't control schedules. I left everything in boxes piled on my desk and will deal with it when I get back. What this also means is that probably no blogging for a week. I'll get back in the swing of things when I get back. Have a good week and check out pictures of the move on the website early next week www.ideasorlando.com/ideasnewhome
Moving Day #1
I got here (old building) at 7:45am this morning and it was just me and Dennis. Within 30 minutes there were two semi trucks, a box truck and a sea of humanity from the moving company. Within the first 30 minutes I thought they would be done in an hour. Then the rain came and gave us a 60 minute rain delay. Since then the rain has stopped and they are back at a frenzied pace. Hopefully they will be filled by lunch time and we'll spend the afternoon unloading and unpacking. More on that later.
I wasn't sure how I would feel today. It's a very emotional day for a lot of us. We are extremely excited about the new home and what it will bring for our company but I have been in this building for 11 years and others have been here twice that. For that, it's a very sad day. I actually found myself tearing up a bit thinking about the last 11 years. I moved from Chicago to work in this building, I built a new house working in this building, I got married working in this building and we had our daughter working in this building. There are a lot of memories for me and many others. It's hard to have such emotion that way while also having such excitement about our future.
I wasn't sure how I would feel today. It's a very emotional day for a lot of us. We are extremely excited about the new home and what it will bring for our company but I have been in this building for 11 years and others have been here twice that. For that, it's a very sad day. I actually found myself tearing up a bit thinking about the last 11 years. I moved from Chicago to work in this building, I built a new house working in this building, I got married working in this building and we had our daughter working in this building. There are a lot of memories for me and many others. It's hard to have such emotion that way while also having such excitement about our future.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Last Minute Details
Today was our last full official day in our "old" building for most of us. By the end of the day if you called our new phone number (407-601-7878) you got Becci's voice, just like you would every other day. We also got our printer/copy machine taken apart and prepared for the move tomorrow. Finally, we agreed on the fabric for the new chairs in the Story Lab. Yesterday we made selections for the lobby chairs and the stools for the kitchen/break room.
Two moving trucks will be at our old building by 8am tomorrow morning. Keep your fingers crossed that the weather cooperates.
Two moving trucks will be at our old building by 8am tomorrow morning. Keep your fingers crossed that the weather cooperates.
Quiet Day at the Old Building
Most people are at the new place today or at home since we have no phones and Internet will be disconnected at the end of the day. There's about 10 of us here and with no phones (which means no paging) it's amazing how quiet the building can be. Hopefully Dennis is making progress on the phone system downtown so we'll be up and running over the weekend. Remember, new phone number starting sometime between Saturday - Monday is 407-601-7878.
We also made some adjustments to the initial design for the new Audio A with our designer. The first design was ok but I really like the adjustments that are in the second design. The room will be smaller than our old Audio A but I think it's going to sound better. The first step that needed to happen for us to get the new mix board has happened so that allows us to move to the next step. Progress is good.
We also made some adjustments to the initial design for the new Audio A with our designer. The first design was ok but I really like the adjustments that are in the second design. The room will be smaller than our old Audio A but I think it's going to sound better. The first step that needed to happen for us to get the new mix board has happened so that allows us to move to the next step. Progress is good.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Final Prep
The old building was a flurry of activity today. Lots of people packing things. All things considered I think we're really well prepared for the move on Friday. Phones and Internet went down at the end of the day today so Dennis could take them downtown and get them set up at the new place. Hopefully we'll only be down for a day. New number is 407-601-7878. I'll be spending a lot of time the next couple days on my cell phone and somewhere with free wireless.
We had one last staff meeting to go over details for the next couple days and to show people a lot of before, during and after pictures. It pretty dramatic to see how the building has transformed. It also makes me feel it was worth the effort when people seem excited about it.
After the meeting we went to IKEA to pick up a couple more things. Unfortunately we ran in to the rain on our way downtown. Cardboard boxes in the rain in the back of a pick up truck, not good. But nothing appeared damaged. Dexter & Michael were working away on the machine & server rooms. Duncan & Rick were working in the Story Lab. Becci started getting organized and vacuumed, I think, the entire building. And Bob set up his office a little, opened up his computer and started working. He seems settled in already. I brought in some things, cleaned up my office and took down the old horrible track light fixtures and put up our nice new ones. Now my office has nice lighting, nice carpeting and nice walls. The desk is a bit of a junker but it will do just fine for now.
We had one last staff meeting to go over details for the next couple days and to show people a lot of before, during and after pictures. It pretty dramatic to see how the building has transformed. It also makes me feel it was worth the effort when people seem excited about it.
After the meeting we went to IKEA to pick up a couple more things. Unfortunately we ran in to the rain on our way downtown. Cardboard boxes in the rain in the back of a pick up truck, not good. But nothing appeared damaged. Dexter & Michael were working away on the machine & server rooms. Duncan & Rick were working in the Story Lab. Becci started getting organized and vacuumed, I think, the entire building. And Bob set up his office a little, opened up his computer and started working. He seems settled in already. I brought in some things, cleaned up my office and took down the old horrible track light fixtures and put up our nice new ones. Now my office has nice lighting, nice carpeting and nice walls. The desk is a bit of a junker but it will do just fine for now.
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