Strands of Genius: Wesley Jon + 2024 North America Professional Services Industry Outlook
featuring: an interview with our guest editor and a research report
Welcome to the Bonus edition of Strands of Genius! On Fridays, we’ll be publishing interviews from our guest editors, and sharing a research report. Thanks for being along for the ride. Oh and by the way, you look great today :)
:: STEAL THIS THINKING | RESEARCH REPORT ::
As Professional Services leaders look to the year ahead, we asked what headwinds they expected would most impact their firm. As a Big 4 Partner put it, “Clients are still hunkering down in the face of their own headwinds, so the biggest opportunity and challenge is helping them operate in such an environment.” Of the significant challenges facing the Professional Services market, downward pricing pressure remains the most pervasive headwind.
:: DIVE IN | THE INTERVIEW ::
WESLEY JON, COPYWRITER AT FP7 MCCANN, DUBAI
>> Wesley Jon guest curated Strands on September 5th 2024. Read it here.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what keeps you busy. How did you end up doing what you’re doing today?
I’m a Malaysian copywriter currently poaching Lions in Dubai. Long story short, since high school, I knew I wanted to do something creative. I found out people got paid to create ads, so I took an advertising course in college. A few years, a few agencies, and a pandemic later, I found myself in Dubai. If you want the short story long, we can have it over coffee or a call.
Oh, and I chose copywriting because I can’t draw.
What excites you most about what you do?
I get paid to think of ideas.
What beliefs define your approach to work? How would you define your leadership style?
Work: Do the brave thing – Lee Clow
Leadership: Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me – Micheal Scott
What has been the most rewarding project you’ve worked on and why?
Young Kancils 2023. It’s like Young Lions, but the Malaysian version, and in 48 hours. Apart from winning, the client also appointed our agency because they loved what we did so much. I’d like to think of it as a 48-hour pitch.
We are big believers in diversity -- Not only because we believe in equality, but because we also think it’s better for business. How do you frame these kinds of conversations, both internally and with clients? Is there an emphasis on action, or are the conversations really more about communication?
Great ideas are born out of tension. Disagreements and clashing opinions push the idea to become the best version of itself. Trust me, I know. My Creative Director is Filipino, my Art Director is Italian, and I’m a Malaysian.
Switching gears a bit, how do you find time to balance personal interests with your career? Do you believe work/life balance is possible? Anything you’ve implemented that you recommend that others try?
Being inspired outside the office plays a huge part in my job. So when you leave your office on time, you’re doing your Creative Director a favor. Because when you become a better creative, their job becomes easier.
What’s your media diet? Where do you find inspiration?
Like a real diet, I try to keep my media diet varied and balanced. I have to consciously do this because it's so easy to gravitate to my tastes (which you’ll see, is pretty basic).
Anyway, here's what I'm consuming/have consumed the past few months.
Series: The Bear, House of the Dragon, Succession, The Office
Films: Longlegs, X, Deadpool & Wolverine, Alien Romulus
Books: The Silent Patient, The Taking of Annie Thorne, The Secret History, The Copy Book
Music: Avenged Sevenfold, Ghost, Blackpink, Honne, Lana Del Rey, boygenius
Podcasts: How To!, Land of the Giants
What’s the best piece of advice/knowledge you’ve stolen, and who/where’d you steal it from?
“If you’re the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room.” This quote has been attributed to Lorne Michaels, Marissa Mayer, and Confucius. Guess they all stole it from each other ;)
You can keep in touch with Wesley on LinkedIn.
If we can ever be of help to you, even outside of a formal engagement, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
rockON,
faris & rosie | your friends over at geniussteals.co
(still want more? @faris is still “tweeting” while @rosieyakob prefers instagram stories)