Michele Manila, interview 2
Lisa coaches the team to become better storytellers. She joined SYPartners in 1994 as a writer, prior to which she was a staff writer for Apple Computer’s Creative Services department and at Oracle Corporation. At SYP Lisa helps CEOs and executives articulate their visions through speeches, annual reports, brochures, books, videos, and events. She built and managed the writing team before adopting her principal responsibilities. Her clients have included Apple, Disney, Gap, Herman Miller, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Old Navy, PBS, and Sundance. Lisa holds a BA in English and poetry from Stanford University and an MA in Fiction Writing from the University of California at Davis.
- Lisa Maulhardt, Managing Principal @ SY Partners
- I googled her and tried finding anything she was associated with (any time her name or firm name was mentioned in media, any interest groups she has been apart of, any past or current news for the companies they work with.)
- We met Friday 9/30 at 2 pm at her office on Brannan and 4th
- Lots of natural light coming in. I was greeted by the receptionist at the front desk and then again by Lisa’s assistant, Sarah. Waited in the waiting area/ library/ creative space. Markers in a round container were at all lower glass or dry erase tables. The employees sat at decorated low wall cubicles set in a circular form.
- The culture is innovative. They do things different and keep the air flowing through the office. Group gatherings and internal sports teams keep the culture fun and group oriented. There was a big emphasis on the group kitchen; it looked like a trendy restaurant.
- Looking back at it, our interview was very laid back. I however, was very nervous because it was my first time meeting with someone out side of school. We mostly talked in a reflective way about the companies she has worked with and the work she is currently doing. Our conversation bounced back and fourth for the entire hour. I was surprised that she asked an equal amount of questions about me... How I found the program, the course work, the group projects, did I find it competitive?
- What is my ideal job?
- 1) group/collaborative
- 2) project oriented (not dead end)
- 3) helps/ something good - rewarding element
- 4) community within the office
- 5) supports healthy life (benefits, gym, anything to help health).
- We talked about the Starbucks brand, IBM brand, and Virgin Airlines. She reflected on some of the things her team manages and does for the clients. Each client is different.
- She said it was most interested in the process or thinking behind the work. I did not have my resume yet.
- They look for someone who is willing to learn and easy to work with.
- Branding is different for every company. For example one brand, Virgin does a year wide training on their brand.
- She said, “go somewhere where you will be loved. Go to a company that is easy to love or that you already love”
- Smaller agencies= you have more pull.
- The industry moves so fast that it’s easy to forget about the work you did unless you talk about it. Thank you.
- How will you be following up?
- Sent her a thank you email.
- What was your overall impression of how it went?
- Well. I was appreciative of the time she spent with me.
- What would you change or do different next time?
- I would have brought her something to remember me by.