Portfolio
Getting in the Groove
Key Facts
The Website
The Project
Getting in the Groove is the culmination of something only Brian Hayman could pull off. How do you learn lessons about managing organizations, teamwork and leadership? Through jazz of course!
Brian Hayman needed a complete site redesign to communicate his successful Jazz/Leadership program, it’s story, successes and the immensely talented musicians who he works with. I, of course, was more than happy to dive into a project like this. In the end, I think we were able to capture some of the less-structured, improvisational elements of jazz, while still maintaining a look that appeals to Getting in the Groove’s corporate client base.
My Role
graphic design, html, css, content management system / Expression Engine, email templates / Campaign Monitor setup, information architecture
Client Interview
An interview with Brian Hayman
Tell us about your company and the challenges you faced before we completed this work?
Someone once told me that you sell commodities but you have to promote concepts. My business - Getting in the Groove - isn’t a commodity; it’s a concept. And so I had to show people what I was talking about and
that meant I had to have a really good website that tells the story in a compelling way and gives people a lively sense of what the programme looks like.
Why did you choose to work with me?
There were two things, really: 1) I saw the terrific job you’d done for Sandra Oliver on her Impact website and 2) having worked with you previously - although not in a web design context - I knew you to be someone
who has, to use an expression from the world of jazz, “big ears”—you listen. There’s nothing worse than a service provider who doesn’t listen. It’s like a doctor who interrupts you one minute into telling your medical history because they imagine they know what your needs are!
How has your website changed your business?
The response from clients has been great. I’ve found it especially useful as a way of introducing potential clients to what we do. The presentation of the story and the accompanying video of one of our workshops
has made it really clear to people what we do. Furthermore, we’ve been getting traffic from browsers.
What was it like working with me?
Clearly you have the technical skills to have produced such a quality product, but more importantly you got the concept; you really understood and appreciated what we’re trying to do. To put it in a nutshell, you have
become a colleague. That’s my standard for service: Has the consultant become a colleague?
What are your future plans for your website?
I’d like to get more video footage of our musical performances on the site as well as including some tracks from the CDs of the jazz musicians who are members of the getting in the Groove team.
