So on the 19th of this month, I posted photos of my new office location on the Ninth Floor at Bernstein-Rein. I’m happy to tell you that the new space has lived up to the things I thought would be true of it. Nine is where the cool kids work. It’s that, and then some.

To put it more accurately, productivity is on the rise for our team of 13. And here’s why. Better printers. Closer printers. More creative resources beyond printers (an entire studio, if you will). Increased creative collaboration amongst interactive, print and broadcast teams. A creative environment in which to do such.

Three days ago as I was hammering away on a mid-afternoon project, I reflected further as to what increased collaboration yields; I have started saving the agency a lot of money. Not just over the past two weeks nor for just the reasons above, but because I — nearing my second full year of employment — am an investment for the agency. And I — know more about this company, its vision, its mindset and its goals than someone on their first day. And I understand the personalities of those around me.

I know the people to find if I want to get something done; I know our leaders and the initiatives for which they take ownership. I can take the reins (no pun intended) of projects assigned to me. Why is this? Because the talented people who surround me have invested time and energy into teaching me the culture of my work environment and the personalities of those who work in it.

At only two years of employment, I don’t stand as a major asset to the company, but have been wired up for productivity. I’m not saying I want to head-up several new projects, run everybody over with a personal agenda or pad my resum’e. But I want today to be the day that we get something done in Kansas City for the industry.

I think Lowe’s puts it best with their new campaign, “Let’s Build Something Together.” Let’s mark the ad world with some great creative.

It’s been a long while since I’ve been as inspired by a portfolio as this guy named Chris Erickson.

He’s an all-in-one art director, well-accompliced animator, brand & packaging specialist, typeface-maker and environmental designer. How’d you like to have one of those on your team?