Years ago my wife and I worked for a large fine art publisher. Once through the front door of this company, visitors came to a long hallway and had a choice of turning to the left or to the right. To the right, the hall lead you down the business side of the company and to the left, down the creative side. The choices could not have been more different. While the whole place had plenty of art, one side was a bean counter's paradise, with PC's, business like desks and credenzas covered with perfectly aligned family photos.

The other side was filled with Macs and desks often covered with assortments of goofy toys, funny signs and such. One side was ties and dresses, the other side, blue jeans and tees. Clearly, one side felt financial and the other side fun.

But I could ask all of us this; Who doesn't need money and who doesn't like fun? Whether you have a creative business or one you might define some what differently, without each half, there is no whole. If you are in business, there's a need to recognize the need for creativity (ideas, fresh ways of thinking, innovative products and services) and also have a good sense for business (business and financial practices, along with business and marketing plans to deliver on your intended goals).

While they seem to work rather independently of each other in theory, in reality, they are connected at the hip in a necessary tug of war. Each showing its own strengths and each completely capable of falling on its face without the other. The truth is, business survival comes in the cultivating and harvesting of both.

As this is a creative related column, a non creative type might think it would be natural to focus on many artists often being less than business savvy. Though in truth, I meet plenty of very smart business savvy people with companies that could use a creative jolt. It's actually a shame that the two sides don't find ways to help each other more. Unless a business has more or less of a creative focus, like marketing or graphic design, it often thinks the general mass of creative types is incapable of ideas complimentary to their business. Truth is, that's what a creative brain is mainly wired to do - come up with ideas.

In turn, I have met many creative thinkers that carry a live under a rock attitude, whereby the only people they feel comfortable with are other creative types. Some of this unfortunately is not without merit, as there are certainly cases where so called business types intentionally make an effort to cast inferiority. Still, if they mingled more with the business types, they would find a new growth within them and I certainly think visa versa. Companies like Apple and Pixar are perfect examples of what can happen when a creative company thinks in a business like manner, and look what happens to companies like Ford when they get creative.

From my perspective, I'm fortunate to have somewhat equal parts of both, but I can't help but thinking every business or board of directors, should make sure they have or consult with at least one person who is that out of the box thinker. That one person who is always saying, "What if….?". I think of all the really small businesses out there of 2 to 20 people, that don't feel comfortable talking to other small business owners about their specific challenges and so they spiral internally, hunting for ideas of growth or in some cases, survival. I also think of artists, who I know could use a major shot in the arm from someone with business sense, instead of floundering to make ends meet.

For many artists especially, the problem is just understanding and owning up to calling themselves business people. It's no sell out. If you except currency for your ideas and creative expression, guess what? Your in business! But it's funny to note, I have talked to so many business people who paint as a hobby and who have just as hard a time calling themselves an artist. It can be quite comical to speak to a very successful person who paints, writes, is a photographer or maybe works in wood or who are musicians, and getting them to except the title of being an artist is too lofty a notion.

I'm can't help but wonder though, what it would be like if these two types of brains blended more often. Large companies know it's an imperative expense of growth to have internal or external marketing groups and creative consultants. With smaller companies it is often considered unaffordable. It seems collaborative partnerships could help, but at the very least a greater open mindedness of support would be healthy I think.

Live An Artful Life, Tom