Where can Traffic Coordinators or Production Managers Best Network?
Published
Author: Matthew T. Grant, PhD
Matthew T Grant, PhD
Minister of Enlightenment
A Q U E N T
Do you have any suggestions on where to find best networking opportunities for a Traffic Coordinator or Production Manager. I really have been struggling with this since I perform a role that is a go between graphic designers and marketing depts. and doesn't have a professional association. I don't feel that I would belong or benefit if I were to join a marketing or graphic design organization, but general networking opportunities through WorkOne or the Chamber of Commerce have not helped my search either. I'm not even sure what other companies to target (besides advertising agencies and printers) that may employ someone in my position.
Answer
Looking into this a bit, I would agree with you that the traffic/production management world seems to be underserved by professional associations or any established community network. Still, you may have some luck finding kindred spirits if you check out HOW magazine and their conferences. Their focus is very much on design issues, but they devote some attention to the business of design. You could also look into the Design Management Institute (DMI), though, again, their primary mission is to help design organizations (i.e., studios) become more relevant to the businesses they serve.
Although somewhat specialized, another group to consider is InSource, the professional association for corporate creatives. Again, a lot of the organizers of InSource have a design background, but their emphasis on the challenges faced by in-house creative groups may make them more relevant to your needs.
Of course, we now live in a world where it is becoming easier and easier to find like-minded people and start a conversation. The two avenues I would encourage you to pursue are MeetUp.com and Facebook. Meetup would allow you to set up and advertise a relatively casual gathering of traffic managers in your neck of the woods. Establishing a “traffic and production management” group on Facebook, would plug you into a much broader community (the billions on Facebook), and who knows what kind of connections you might make there?