Michael McLaughlin
Well-known member
Jim Jannard a Nice guy?
I guess I should start off with; that after a lurking for a long time here at Red User… this is my first post.
So is Jim Jannard a nice guy? (I will tell that in a bit).
Furthermore…
Why in the hell would I want to work for a guy like him?
Well with all the impending Nov. 13th announcements and everything, let me take
this moment to step back a bit and summarize how I got to this point.
This actual post… has been a long time coming.
What instigated this post, happened a while ago involving Mr. Jannard. But a confluence of a couple of things happening recently is what finally made me post into the digital world.
First recent thing is this post:
http://reduser.net/forum/showpost.php?p=313559&postcount=35
I truly like what Mr. Jannard says about Jarred, BUT it is the part about "The Vision" that really catches my attention.
This can never be understated enough. The vision comes first… and the leader "anchored" to it, for good times or bad.
Billionaire or not, man you really got to see this type of revelation in your heart, if your going to pull it off.
I think a lot of people really think throwing a bunch of money at a good design will make it a success. Trust me I have experienced first hand a company do just that (10s of millions), and brutally fall to pieces.
To be honest, I have been thinking a lot about Vision.
Being recently unemployed has really focused this word and how it applies to companies, staff, and CEOs.
For me, it is now a really intense desire (more then ever), to work for a company that has this at its SOUL. I really don't want to work anymore, for a company that spews some re-tread boiler plate mantra about vision. I want to work for a company that feels, breaths, eats and rallies around this idea of "The Vision" (and its creations) everyday.
To have this real type of dedication from employees, the Vision had better be a solid one.
I remember the first time I heard about RED from Mike Curtis's site. What really got me going, and putting down my 1000 on a reservation, was when Ted Schilowitz was hired. With Graeme it was like icing on the cake (although he may have come before, I can't remember).
For me, Ted represented the perfect choice.
I have worked on both sides of the media world. From a sales job in High End Post Production Sales, to the purchasing side as an Operations Manager. I sold AJA systems and I bought many of them for one of the companies that I worked for. So I believe I can make some small conclusions about Ted.
I mean he doesn't just evangelize; he is a great negotiator and salesman.
When I flipped back to producing content I had to do a massive company wide HD upgrade; part of which my president nervously put up half his house for. A key part involved some new and untested cards from AJA. I called Ted again, now as a customer, and asked some really tough questions. Yet, he more then answered everything. Bluntly, honestly, and with the perfect amount of information.
I think a lot of people don't realize what an amazing job Ted does. Trust me, it is not easy to constantly keep your composure with hostile crowds (RED's had a few), individuals, and clients. But Ted seems to do it every time.
I remember seeing Ted more than a couple of times; dead tired, rushing into a late night NAB venue, jump up on stage, and have all the energy and enthusiasm in the world.
I wonder if this is one of things Mr. Jannard saw? This dedication above the norm.
I know a lot of this whole endeavor comes down to the people we choose, and the people that choose to go along with us. I remember reading: that the act of choosing the first 10 employees is the most important thing next to the Vision of the company; because they, these first employees, will really be indicative of whether a business will fail or succeed.
Watching Mr. Jannards choices for me was more telling then all the gossiping, cool renders, and rumors about whether this was a "scam" or not. I mean for me it stopped the second when I knew who had signed on. And for the life of me I couldn't figure out why other people could not see this right away; or least do a little research and come to the correct conclusion.
Because, beyond Ted, I've briefly talked to Graeme (before RED), BUT… I seem to remember seeing Graeme holding his kid(s) at a couple of the LAFCPUG / Promax user meets (at NAB), talking about his products (in a 3 ring circus like atmosphere) and succinctly getting his message across. I remember thinking; "Wow, what a well rounded smart guy, who is very confident about his products, knowledge, and the place he occupies in the video media world".
Again… is this what Mr. Jannard caught? Not just what Graeme did, but who he was as a person.
These sorts of individuals would not just simply risk their time or reputation on a frivolous venture (even if the money was good). It just isn't in these type of people's DNA. This was my gut feeling at that time.
Furthermore, you can't come away from a good discussion with Graeme, Ted or Stuart (I've never talked to Jarred), and honestly think they're bullshitting.
If you do, then maybe you need to check yourself. I mean seriously… check yourself.
Beyond that, in a bigger scope, I just knew this was where we are all headed.
I really wonder when Jim first questioned why a camera like this couldn't be done. Could he see in his mind's eye (like a big graph chart) the product advancements line (imaging chips, CF cards etc.) and the price line converging at this magical point down the road? Did he say to himself, "This is where I want to be, right here in the middle of it, when this maelstrom hits."
But I believe this is the true clarity of Vision, to step toward such an event.
Vision… sees it not as a simple point in time to make money; but as an incredible window of opportunity. Others have tried, but I believe Mr. Jannard could just see a bit further out on the horizon. He must have believed at some gut level, that he could somehow execute the more complex fabbing of such a chip (or least find the people to contact), and how to integrate the whole production into a cohesive machine.
I believe his Vision pretty much squelched any thought of failure. Then the hiring of such a team helped reinforce the Vision and keep it on track.
Man I want to be a part of such a thing!
I mean I have this beast (my RED ONE) sitting right here next to me, but I want to do more in this Vision.
I remember in the beginning, when RED was trying to get some of the major imaging kinks worked out, that I had this hair brained idea I would persuade one of my friends, who is a top CMOS chip designer (one of his chips is in the Hubble), that he might be interested in pursuing a job at RED.
Heck I even thought I would somehow contact Mr. Jannard to help the situation along, and tell him I got the perfect guy to help the endeavor; a CMOS designer who's stuff was in the Hubble. I ultimately figured Mr. Jannard already had his own rocket scientists working on it. Nice to fantasize about saving the day : - ).
But that nonsense is silly… right?
Maybe not. Maybe I just got caught up in a really good Vision. Wanting to, in some small way, help it along.
Is that bad? Is it bad to enjoy this so much?
Trust me, I am not a fanboy type. Enthusiastic - yes. But uniformed exuberance - I would say no.
So… is Mr. Jannard a nice guy though? (check part 2)
I guess I should start off with; that after a lurking for a long time here at Red User… this is my first post.
So is Jim Jannard a nice guy? (I will tell that in a bit).
Furthermore…
Why in the hell would I want to work for a guy like him?
Well with all the impending Nov. 13th announcements and everything, let me take
this moment to step back a bit and summarize how I got to this point.
This actual post… has been a long time coming.
What instigated this post, happened a while ago involving Mr. Jannard. But a confluence of a couple of things happening recently is what finally made me post into the digital world.
First recent thing is this post:
http://reduser.net/forum/showpost.php?p=313559&postcount=35
I truly like what Mr. Jannard says about Jarred, BUT it is the part about "The Vision" that really catches my attention.
This can never be understated enough. The vision comes first… and the leader "anchored" to it, for good times or bad.
Billionaire or not, man you really got to see this type of revelation in your heart, if your going to pull it off.
I think a lot of people really think throwing a bunch of money at a good design will make it a success. Trust me I have experienced first hand a company do just that (10s of millions), and brutally fall to pieces.
To be honest, I have been thinking a lot about Vision.
Being recently unemployed has really focused this word and how it applies to companies, staff, and CEOs.
For me, it is now a really intense desire (more then ever), to work for a company that has this at its SOUL. I really don't want to work anymore, for a company that spews some re-tread boiler plate mantra about vision. I want to work for a company that feels, breaths, eats and rallies around this idea of "The Vision" (and its creations) everyday.
To have this real type of dedication from employees, the Vision had better be a solid one.
I remember the first time I heard about RED from Mike Curtis's site. What really got me going, and putting down my 1000 on a reservation, was when Ted Schilowitz was hired. With Graeme it was like icing on the cake (although he may have come before, I can't remember).
For me, Ted represented the perfect choice.
I have worked on both sides of the media world. From a sales job in High End Post Production Sales, to the purchasing side as an Operations Manager. I sold AJA systems and I bought many of them for one of the companies that I worked for. So I believe I can make some small conclusions about Ted.
I mean he doesn't just evangelize; he is a great negotiator and salesman.
When I flipped back to producing content I had to do a massive company wide HD upgrade; part of which my president nervously put up half his house for. A key part involved some new and untested cards from AJA. I called Ted again, now as a customer, and asked some really tough questions. Yet, he more then answered everything. Bluntly, honestly, and with the perfect amount of information.
I think a lot of people don't realize what an amazing job Ted does. Trust me, it is not easy to constantly keep your composure with hostile crowds (RED's had a few), individuals, and clients. But Ted seems to do it every time.
I remember seeing Ted more than a couple of times; dead tired, rushing into a late night NAB venue, jump up on stage, and have all the energy and enthusiasm in the world.
I wonder if this is one of things Mr. Jannard saw? This dedication above the norm.
I know a lot of this whole endeavor comes down to the people we choose, and the people that choose to go along with us. I remember reading: that the act of choosing the first 10 employees is the most important thing next to the Vision of the company; because they, these first employees, will really be indicative of whether a business will fail or succeed.
Watching Mr. Jannards choices for me was more telling then all the gossiping, cool renders, and rumors about whether this was a "scam" or not. I mean for me it stopped the second when I knew who had signed on. And for the life of me I couldn't figure out why other people could not see this right away; or least do a little research and come to the correct conclusion.
Because, beyond Ted, I've briefly talked to Graeme (before RED), BUT… I seem to remember seeing Graeme holding his kid(s) at a couple of the LAFCPUG / Promax user meets (at NAB), talking about his products (in a 3 ring circus like atmosphere) and succinctly getting his message across. I remember thinking; "Wow, what a well rounded smart guy, who is very confident about his products, knowledge, and the place he occupies in the video media world".
Again… is this what Mr. Jannard caught? Not just what Graeme did, but who he was as a person.
These sorts of individuals would not just simply risk their time or reputation on a frivolous venture (even if the money was good). It just isn't in these type of people's DNA. This was my gut feeling at that time.
Furthermore, you can't come away from a good discussion with Graeme, Ted or Stuart (I've never talked to Jarred), and honestly think they're bullshitting.
If you do, then maybe you need to check yourself. I mean seriously… check yourself.
Beyond that, in a bigger scope, I just knew this was where we are all headed.
I really wonder when Jim first questioned why a camera like this couldn't be done. Could he see in his mind's eye (like a big graph chart) the product advancements line (imaging chips, CF cards etc.) and the price line converging at this magical point down the road? Did he say to himself, "This is where I want to be, right here in the middle of it, when this maelstrom hits."
But I believe this is the true clarity of Vision, to step toward such an event.
Vision… sees it not as a simple point in time to make money; but as an incredible window of opportunity. Others have tried, but I believe Mr. Jannard could just see a bit further out on the horizon. He must have believed at some gut level, that he could somehow execute the more complex fabbing of such a chip (or least find the people to contact), and how to integrate the whole production into a cohesive machine.
I believe his Vision pretty much squelched any thought of failure. Then the hiring of such a team helped reinforce the Vision and keep it on track.
Man I want to be a part of such a thing!
I mean I have this beast (my RED ONE) sitting right here next to me, but I want to do more in this Vision.
I remember in the beginning, when RED was trying to get some of the major imaging kinks worked out, that I had this hair brained idea I would persuade one of my friends, who is a top CMOS chip designer (one of his chips is in the Hubble), that he might be interested in pursuing a job at RED.
Heck I even thought I would somehow contact Mr. Jannard to help the situation along, and tell him I got the perfect guy to help the endeavor; a CMOS designer who's stuff was in the Hubble. I ultimately figured Mr. Jannard already had his own rocket scientists working on it. Nice to fantasize about saving the day : - ).
But that nonsense is silly… right?
Maybe not. Maybe I just got caught up in a really good Vision. Wanting to, in some small way, help it along.
Is that bad? Is it bad to enjoy this so much?
Trust me, I am not a fanboy type. Enthusiastic - yes. But uniformed exuberance - I would say no.
So… is Mr. Jannard a nice guy though? (check part 2)
