Planning skills

[Zeb Barrett]

Just throwing it out there...what are the three most important skills/attributes of a planner?

[stavvy papa]

Right on, one of the best descriptions ever....go to http://www.johnst.com/johnst.html, then select jobs, and finally planning> this website experience gives you the opportunity to play with your role as a planner, through a variety of creative statements.....

[Steve Poppe]

You need to be a good listener (1), must have a good bullshit filter(2), and plan for the future (not from the past.)

[marcin e.]

listen and observe what others said then put that into the (beloved) powerpoint ctrl-b ctrl-u font colors lootsa pictures and finally sell that crap smiling widely to all you have to :)
kidding
[mhm?]
cheers!

[Zeb Barrett]

Thanks to all who responded....stavvy papa I particularly liked your response. I'm a planner at john st..

[Ashley Brown]

hey guys, really interesting points here. I'm currently looking to make the move from a digital planner/buyer to a more strategic/creative role and from what you've said here I think I'm right in wanting to make this transition. Stavy, the site you listed (johnst.com) was really helpful and has got me thinking (I’ve just ordered some of the suggested reading material as well!).

[DanielaL]

1. Creativity
2. Willingness to permanently improve/ learn - we are supposed to stand for knowledge, aren't we?
3. People skills - like the hr people, or moderators, or managers

...not exactly in that order.

[Zeb Barrett]

Thanks again for the continued input.
z

[Anis]

Good question! I have seen lots of articles, where the writer lists down dozens of traits or talents a planner should have, but thinking of only three helps distill thinking much better. Well, here are the three that skills that I believe are the most critical to become a good planner:

1. Imagination- This is the starting platform of creativity. You should be able to imagine possibilities and scenarios however absurd they may sound at the beginning. This requires both curiosity and adventurism.

2. Observation- An eye for noticing patterns, cues, picking right information or insight, reaction of colleagues, client or consumers etc. This will help you analyze the things better.

3. Logic: Logic is essential to select the right solution, convince CS and client and keep the creative guys and yourself steered on the right path.

In fact it’s the combination of imagination and logic that makes a person good planner. Most of the times people are good at either of these two (the right brain and left brain tussle) and having good juice in both the compartments makes you fly like migrating birds.

[gemma]

Broad brushstrokes, but:

Listening. Thinking. Communicating.

[Michalis Krokidis]

Among the skills planners should have, I choose the 3C:

Curiosity

CommonSense

Creativity

[Anis]

Simple and beautiful! :)

[Anis]

Can we add another c2, the ability to 'Cut the crap'? :)