Lee, Bamm & Manny
I first connected with Lee Parkinson in my role as editor at Design Assembly. We exchanged emails about an article and the conversation lead to Lee cycling with his dog. I have always been a fan of Griffons, and also really admire Lee’s work so I was thrilled when he agreed to share more in our latest WalkThe_ profile.
Kia ora Lee, can you tell us a little bit about who you are, what your background is,
and what led you to design?
I’ve taken a non-conventional journey to be part of the wider design community. I spent a decade in the British Army, studied electrical engineering, worked in the corporate world before eventually crossing over to the ‘agency-side’. I helped establish one of NZ’s first digital shops before joining a large global full-service ad agency after the dot com bubble burst. Over the years I have set up and ran a number of agencies before joining Strategy as Strategic Director in 2018.
What’s something you wish you’d known about design before you learnt it the hard way?
Problem-solving.
Traditional problem solving is a linear process that usually takes a single set of data to help identify the problem and then works from that data to find a solution.
Design thinking on the other hand utilises multiple inputs, is empathetic (by design)and provides continuous feedback until the optimal solution is reached.
If you identify a problem and solve it by creating a novel, functional solution you are an inventor.
If you identify a problem and solve it by improving upon something that is already there, you are an innovator.
If you use design thinking to identify and solve problems where the optimal solution considers both function and form,, then you are a designer.
What does your role as Strategic Director at Strategy Creative involve?
I work directly with our clients and also with our creative and design teams.
I spend a lot of time thinking, reading, researching and speaking with people.
I help clients identify the problem (or opportunity) they need to address, then report back to them with a reverse brief that encapsulates the challenge and scope of work to be undertaken. Then I write the brief for the creative and design team assigned to the project.
Sometimes in the initial stages, the project doesn’t involve our designers. I may be helping a client to uncover their authentic brand, their true self - what do they really stand for, why do they exist, what’s their ‘North Star’, how do they engage their own people, and why should the consumer even care? I then use an approach that leads to their ‘brand on a page’ - a ruthless but necessary distillation of who they are, everything they do, and what they care about. It is a powerful tool as it talks to what they believe, how they behave, sound and be.
There is no magic wand for this work - however, to be a successful strategist, at the very least you need to be relentlessly curious and empathetic. You need to give a damn and be able to recognise patterns, see emerging trends, and be able to uncover insights to inform the strategy you are developing.
Like many things in life, the best strategies should also be simple.
Please tell us about Bamm and Manny?
My wife and I have two Brussels Griffons.
Old Manny, who is now 13.5 years, totally blind - and now deaf, and Bamm (the strategy dog). She is a really cool, sassy little 8-year-old black Griffon.
I’ve always had dogs, but never ‘little dogs’ until these two rat-bags came into my life.
To be honest, I never wanted either of them.
They both belonged to Alex, my step-daughter, however flatting and dog ownership doesn’t go well together and so initially we became temporary dog-carers for Manny - but this temporary arrangement soon became permanent.
A couple of years later, once settled into another flat where pets were allowed, Alex got Bamm.
Who says lightning never strikes twice? Yep, you’ve got it - just over a year after getting Bamm, Alex moved again and couldn’t find another flat that would accept dogs………
So, we have had Manny for over 11 years, and just over 7 years for Bamm.
Do Bamm & Manny ever come to the strategy Studio with you?
For a number of years, my time was split between Central Otago and Christchurch - 3 days per week in Christchurch. It was a 6-hour, one-way drive from home to the office and so it wasn’t practical to bring either of them to work with me, especially as when in Christchurch, I stayed in a small rental property with very close neighbours - the rules were clear - no pets, no visitors, no noise.
So no, they have never stayed at our Christchurch studio.
I do work for Strategy from my home office for 2 days per week, and Manny and Bamm are never far from my side then. Bamm’s nickname is ‘Bamm the strategy dog’ and that was gifted prior to me working with Strategy Creative.
I used to have a small consultancy and Bamm would always sit on my knee staring at the screen when I was working at my keyboard. I took a pic once and sent it to a client who is also a dog lover, and her messenger reply was “Right, so now we know who does all the strategic work in your consultancy, Bamm!”.
Are there any other canine collaborators that visit the Strategy Studio?
Sadly no. Not by design though as we are a friendly group of people. I guess it is in part a function of a having a team of fantastic young people who are also flatting, and like my step-daughter, unable to keep pets of any description, let alone a dog.
You shared some photos of Bamm cycling with you – there are lots of physiological, psychological and social benefits to pet parenthood. How do your dogs improve your wellbeing?
Well, my wife and our two little ratbags have this amazing ability to lift my mood, no matter what.
Dogs are blessed with an incredible ability to tune into people. If I’ve had a tough day, or just feeling a little pressured, they get it and respond accordingly. They can be total clowns or generally playful, often game-seeking, and always empathetic.
After an accident a couple of years ago, I developed an annoying auto-immune condition that affects my right lower leg and hand. I manage it very well, however, I do have occasional ‘flare-ups’ and Bamm seems to know when that is, because if I’m sitting on the couch she will lay quietly beside me, protecting that side of my body and trying to lick the affected areas. She acts like she is my nurse.
The medical profession knows that the mere act of stroking a dog can bring down your blood pressure and help with mental wellbeing when stressed, hence therapy dogs are becoming more accepted in and around hospitals and nursing facilities.
My wife Gillian and I love to go out for good walks with our dogs during the weekends. Strolling through forest tracks, or along the beach, listening to the bird song, watching the light play on the ground in forest clearings or on the waves and sand, and seeing our dogs digging excitedly in the sand or Bamm joyfully sprinting along the beach, and the sheer delight of being out in the fresh air, is so good for the soul.
Tell us about a typical day in the life of Bamm?
Bamm is not as food-motivated as Manny. She prefers to sit around with me rather than leave my side to get her meal. That is unless we are snacking on nuts.
She patrols our garden during the day (when it is fine) or just hangs around with us. Her favourite thing other than us is her ball. She will play ‘fetch the ball’ for hours on end until she’s had enough and wants to glue herself to my side once again.
Bamm is also becoming extremely kind to old Manny nowadays. She often encourages him to play with her, tug of war with a soft toy, or a wrestle. He joins in happily, having no idea where she is, but Bamm seems to know and will let him win some times - it is amazing to watch.
And a Day in the life of Manny?
Manny as mentioned earlier is now totally blind and nearly deaf. He sleeps a lot and is without doubt more relaxed staying around our home as he can (almost) get around the house and garden in safety.
While it is hard to watch how his life has been reduced by his age and failing senses, he seems happy. He eats well, telling us when he thinks it is meal time, and still goes crazy when I come back after a few days away. He is my old buddy and at this stage far too healthy and happy for us to do anything else than be there for him through his dotage.
Can you share some insight to each dogs personality?
Manny is a tan coloured rough-coated Griffon and was named after the Bill Bailey character in Black Books.
He has always been the ‘gentleman’ in every way. Friendly and well behaved, excellent with other animals and kids, he has a kind, gentle nature.
He was and still is much like Yoda - wise, dignified and patient.
He used to hate being laughed at and would sulk if he was. However, now that he’s blind and almost deaf, he doesn’t notice if we do occasionally laugh at him.
Bamm is a black rough-coated Griffon and was originally named Bambi by my stepdaughter. However when we lived in Central Otago, our property was adjoining a deer farm, and there was no way I was going to be calling out ’Bambi!’ if I wanted her to come in, hence her name was shortened to Bamm.
When she first came to stay, I was quite annoyed, and spent the first few weeks she was with us virtually ignoring her as I didn’t want us to find we were taking her on as well as Manny.
However, Bamm had other plans. She is sassy and a real clown - always joyful, playful, and encourages us to laugh with, and at her.
At once brave and sometimes surprisingly vulnerable, she hates loud noises like no other dog I’ve ever known and is terrified by the noise of a smoke alarm going off.
While Bamm adores my wife as well, when I’m back at from home she sticks to me like glue, anticipating every move I am going to make.
Like with children, you shouldn’t really have favourites, but this little black darling went on to capture my heart. I’d go as far to say that if there is such a thing as a canine soulmate - Bamm is it for me.
What life lessons have your griffons taught you?
Be optimistic.
Trust more.
Be open and truthful.
Give honest feedback.
Always be fiercely loyal to those you care about.
Is there another special animal in your life?
We also have a parrot. His name is Oscar. He is an Australian Barraband, I have had him since he was a baby and he is well over 20 years old now.
To be honest, he is a complete arsehole. He spends a lot of his day time outside of his cage and his favourite activities are to strip any houseplants or herbs of their leaves and destroy things by dropping them off the kitchen bench.
He speaks, shouts, yells, impersonates the phone and generally makes a nuisance of himself. Apparently, parrots are one of only a few species that, like humans - can wake up in a bad mood. I’d agree with that. Oscar is less of a pet, and more like a non-malignant tumour - he’s always around and is a part of our lives. They can live for about 40 - 45 years, so we’re only about halfway there yet……………. such is life.
2020 has thrown us some curveballs! what do you hope for the future of design?
This has been a tragic year for all and has shown us what a global pandemic in the modern world can do. It has killed over a million people in the last 9 months and affected the health of millions more. Many of those who have recovered from the virus will have their health impacted for many years to come, all adding to the social cost for the countries of those affected due to an increased need for ongoing medical treatments and the drawdown of benefits by those left unable to work.
The additional economic carnage the pandemic has caused through business closures, rising unemployment and reduced consumer demand, and how at a societal level the rise in nationalistic political regimes, the increasing divide between science and political will, restricted access to international travel, tightened security at the borders, and requirements to wear masks means that some aspects of our lives will be changed forever
I can’t get rid of a nagging feeling that this is just a dress rehearsal for something else, maybe another pandemic, one triggered by some of the effects of climate change.
This is all, on the surface, depressing and can feel a little dystopian, but I am still hopeful and optimistic. Because this is also a chance to reset, to understand what is really important in our lives, and to redefine what we even mean by ‘the economy’.
My wish for the future of the design community is that we get to spend more time working on those things that may change the game for the better.
Better for us, our clients, Aotearoa, and the planet.
Is there another creative canine combo you'd like to see profiled?
Staying with us a few years ago inspired Joi Murugavell to acquire her own fur baby. (A male Griffon called Jerry Lee.)
And your favourite animal welfare charity?
There are so many worthy charities out there, and I donate to a few but there is one that has attracted my attention because it also helps abused wives and partners take the steps they need to escape from an abusive relationship. Women and their children can take refuge via some worthwhile charities, but there has nowhere for their pets to be kept safe and secure. Therefore the charity I’d like to nominate is https://www.petrefuge.org.nz
Finally where can we see more of your creative work?
You can find out more about Strategy and the work that we have done here: https://www.strategythinking.com/
