--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The impresario function is about…" description: "\"The impresario function is about intervening with the company's more administrative management structure. It is about trying to establish a sense of bo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c96/john-kao-11833_administrative_the-impresario-function-is-about-interve_18826.png" --- # The impresario function is about intervening with the… ![“The impresario function is about intervening with the company's more administrative management structure. It is about trying to establish a sense of boundaries and budgets and milestones and so forth on a project that does not necessarily lend itself to milestones. It is about translating between…” quote by John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c96/john-kao-11833_administrative_the-impresario-function-is-about-interve_18826.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c96/john-kao-11833_administrative_the-impresario-function-is-about-interve_18826.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c96/john-kao-11833_administrative_the-impresario-function-is-about-interve_18826.png) > “The impresario function is about intervening with the company's more administrative management structure. It is about trying to establish a sense of boundaries and budgets and milestones and so forth on a project that does not necessarily lend itself to milestones. It is about translating between the intimate interior environment of the creative work team and the company's need to make money. And finally, it is about positioning the fruits of the creative process in the marketplace and selling them.” [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It describes the role of a creative project manager who bridges artistic teams and business imperatives, setting limits, budgets, and market positioning for work that resists linear milestones. **In simple terms:** Translating creative output into commercial success. Key Takeaway Balancing artistic freedom with business constraints. Themes Leadership Project Management Creative Process Business Strategy Market Positioning Mood Strategic Pragmatic Optimistic Type Observational Instructional When to use this quote - Launching a new product line - Managing a design studio - Overseeing a film production - Coordinating a software UI overhaul Key Concepts Boundaries Budgets Milestones Translation Practical Applications - Define budget and timeline for a creative team - Package and sell the final creative product Questions to Reflect On - How can you measure success when creative work defies traditional metrics? - What mechanisms ensure artistic integrity while meeting financial goals? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Administrative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/administrative/) [Boundaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boundaries/) [Budgets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/budgets/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company/) [Creative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creative/) [Creative process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creative-process/) [Creative work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creative-work/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) [Fruit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fruit/) [Function](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/function/) [Function Intervening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/function-intervening-390634/) [Impresario](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impresario-390633/) [Impresario Function](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impresario-function-390632/) [Interiors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interiors/) [Intervening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intervening/) [Intervening Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intervening-company-390636/) [Intimate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intimate/) [Making money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-money/) [Management](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/management/) [Management Structure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/management-structure-390635/) [Marketplace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marketplace/) [Milestone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/milestone/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Projects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/projects/) [Selling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selling/) [Structure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/structure/) [Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team/) [Translate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/translate/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Work Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-team/) ## Related quotes > [The C.E.O.'s job in a creativity-driven company is to be an impresario, not a manager.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/the-c-e-o-s-job-in-a-creativity-driven-company-is-to-be-an-impresario/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [Ultimately, the impresario must know when to simply get out of the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/ultimately-the-impresario-must-know-when-to-simply-get-out-of-the-way/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [The impresario's job is to pick the right people who can pick the right people. He picks the people who can pick artists and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/the-impresario-s-job-is-to-pick-the-right-people-who-can-pick-the/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [The impresario functions as a bridge and a translator. He or she is a bridge between the creative point of view - which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/the-impresario-functions-as-a-bridge-and-a-translator-he-or-she-is-a/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [In the end it is the musician who actually plays the notes. The impresario - or the project leader - is only there to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/in-the-end-it-is-the-musician-who-actually-plays-the-notes-the/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [A large part of the impresario's job has to do with maintaining and communicating standards of performance. Knowing how to set those standards -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/a-large-part-of-the-impresario-s-job-has-to-do-with-maintaining-and/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [The manager's job - the impresario's job - is to preside over the company's efforts to jam so the business runs really well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/the-manager-s-job-the-impresario-s-job-is-to-preside-over-the-company/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [“In this alternative management structure, executives have limited power but also aren’t expected to have skills that check some all-star management box. You’re hired…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-lashinsky/in-this-alternative-management-structure-executives-have-limited/) [Adam Lashinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-lashinsky/) > [“It has the most awesome responsibilities of any corporation in the world, the largest budget of any corporation in the world, and the largest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-whipple/it-has-the-most-awesome-responsibilities-of-any-corporation-in-the/) [Chris Whipple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-whipple/) > [Companies like GE and Procter & Gamble have been in business for a long time. Over decades or a century you're bound to figure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-diller/companies-like-ge-and-procter-gamble-have-been-in-business-for-a-long/) [Barry Diller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-diller/) > [I'm talking as a professional impresario. I'm not judging anybody at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-granz/i-m-talking-as-a-professional-impresario-i-m-not-judging-anybody-at/) [Norman Granz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-granz/) > [I am not a scientist. I am, rather, an impresario of scientists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-yves-cousteau/i-am-not-a-scientist-i-am-rather-an-impresario-of-scientists/) [Jacques Yves Cousteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-yves-cousteau/) > [Id love to work with the team in IndyCar; I just wont be behind the wheel anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dario-franchitti/id-love-to-work-with-the-team-in-indycar-i-just-wont-be-behind-the/) [Dario Franchitti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dario-franchitti/) > [If you want to be successful, you need to work as a team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kolo-toure/if-you-want-to-be-successful-you-need-to-work-as-a-team/) [Kolo Toure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kolo-toure/) > [A family needs to work as a team, supporting each other's individual aims and aspirations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buzz-aldrin/a-family-needs-to-work-as-a-team-supporting-each-other-s-individual/) [Buzz Aldrin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buzz-aldrin/) ## More by John Kao > [The traditional model for a company like Coca-Cola is to hire one big advertising agency and essentially outsource all of its creativity in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/the-traditional-model-for-a-company-like-coca-cola-is-to-hire-one-big/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [If you are at Coca-Cola, the creative challenge is one of maintaining - rather than creating - a tremendous level of consumption for your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/if-you-are-at-coca-cola-the-creative-challenge-is-one-of-maintaining/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [In a corporate context, companies have to try very hard to oppose the enticements of conventional wisdom. They must aim for the leaps, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/in-a-corporate-context-companies-have-to-try-very-hard-to-oppose-the/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [Coca-Cola can get really fresh output because it is getting people who are outside the traditional model and they are combining ideas in very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/coca-cola-can-get-really-fresh-output-because-it-is-getting-people/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [All of these creative ideas and decisions about new ways to reach the consumer can be tracked with regard to how well they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/all-of-these-creative-ideas-and-decisions-about-new-ways-to-reach-the/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [The imagination is like a muscle: it strengthens through use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/the-imagination-is-like-a-muscle-it-strengthens-through-use/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [If you come up with a new product, you can very easily track its contribution to the bottom line. But often the challenge can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/if-you-come-up-with-a-new-product-you-can-very-easily-track-its/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [Companies have to take risks to get new knowledge, in a manner similar to how jazz musicians take risks when they go after a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/companies-have-to-take-risks-to-get-new-knowledge-in-a-manner-similar/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [Performers may play in the studio, but they need to go out and tour every once in a while to keep their edge, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/performers-may-play-in-the-studio-but-they-need-to-go-out-and-tour/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [You would not let your kids do whatever they want. So the challenge is to create accountability in a non-mechanistic way. You cannot come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/you-would-not-let-your-kids-do-whatever-they-want-so-the-challenge-is/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [There's real "right brain" creativity that goes into all of the organizational processes that a company utilizes and must continually reinvent in order to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/there-s-real-right-brain-creativity-that-goes-into-all-of-the/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [Instead of command and control, managing the creative process is about facilitating and permitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/instead-of-command-and-control-managing-the-creative-process-is-about/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [Rather than managing by clarifying events, the creative process may require raising the level of uncertainty. Sometimes this can be done by issuing a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/rather-than-managing-by-clarifying-events-the-creative-process-may/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [The conventional asset-allocation method is like sheet music. It is prescribed, it has right answers and wrong answers and it sounds about the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/the-conventional-asset-allocation-method-is-like-sheet-music-it-is/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [The head of a record label sets up structures, but he also defines the sound of the label, which is to describe what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/the-head-of-a-record-label-sets-up-structures-but-he-also-defines-the/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) [Explore all 57 John Kao quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) ## More Administrative quotes > [“Klara Sztucinski, and Elliott Kellman. The administrative”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-allen/klara-sztucinski-and-elliott-kellman-the-administrative/) [David Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-allen/) > [It took a bit of talking through administrative people, but only once did an attorney try and get in the way of the process…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-shear/it-took-a-bit-of-talking-through-administrative-people-but-only-once/) [Jules Shear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-shear/) > [One of the concepts I was having trouble illustrating was the concept that administrative systems create narrow categories of gender and force people into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-spade/one-of-the-concepts-i-was-having-trouble-illustrating-was-the-concept/) [Dean Spade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-spade/) > [Medical physicists work in cooperation with doctors. A few medical physicists devote their time to research and teaching. A few get involved with administrative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cameron/medical-physicists-work-in-cooperation-with-doctors-a-few-medical/) [John Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cameron/) > [The three major administrative problems on a campus are sex for the students, athletics for the alumni, and parking for the faculty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-hutchins/the-three-major-administrative-problems-on-a-campus-are-sex-for-the/) [Robert M. Hutchins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-hutchins/) > [There is nothing in the world that could make me turn from the law. With a clear conscience, I am prepared to answer for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/djemal-pasha/there-is-nothing-in-the-world-that-could-make-me-turn-from-the-law/) [Djemal Pasha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/djemal-pasha/) > [It is for ordinary minds, not for psychoanalysts, that our rules of evidence are framed. They have their source very often in considerations of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-cardozo/it-is-for-ordinary-minds-not-for-psychoanalysts-that-our-rules-of/) [Benjamin Cardozo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-cardozo/) > [There has been a constant struggle on the part of the military element to keep the end- fighting, or readiness to fight-superior to mere…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-thayer-mahan/there-has-been-a-constant-struggle-on-the-part-of-the-military/) [Alfred Thayer Mahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-thayer-mahan/) > [I enjoyed the administrative work because it involved working with Congress, city council, and the mayor. I had never been a politician so it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-h-greene/i-enjoyed-the-administrative-work-because-it-involved-working-with/) [Harold H. Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-h-greene/) > [Our Government is investing in stronger communities by supporting the important work of charities by reducing their administrative burden, encouraging charitable giving and allowing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-sorenson/our-government-is-investing-in-stronger-communities-by-supporting-the/) [Kevin Sorenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-sorenson/) > [In recent years, more and more of my time has become absorbed by administrative work for the research council of ETH-Z of which I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-ernst/in-recent-years-more-and-more-of-my-time-has-become-absorbed-by/) [Richard Ernst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-ernst/) > [There is no excuse for a billion dollar industry to have somebody who's pushing papers on an administrative level - which is still very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immortal-technique/there-is-no-excuse-for-a-billion-dollar-industry-to-have-somebody-who/) [Immortal Technique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immortal-technique/) > [The federal government spends about $2.51 per child per day to feed them lunch. Out of that, you have to pay for labor, facilities,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-federal-government-spends-about-2-51-per-child-per-day-to-feed/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Selectors can't please everyone, but I am OK if they are working for the benefit of Indian cricket. It's an administrative decision to appoint…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kapil-dev/selectors-can-t-please-everyone-but-i-am-ok-if-they-are-working-for/) [Kapil Dev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kapil-dev/) > [My obligation is to focus on the priorities of classroom instruction, parental involvement and student safety, targeting student performance and eliminating unnecessary administrative costs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-leopold/my-obligation-is-to-focus-on-the-priorities-of-classroom-instruction/) [John R. Leopold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-leopold/) [Browse all 137 Administrative quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/administrative/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The impresario function is about intervening with the company's more administrative management structure. It is about trying to establish a sense of boundaries and budgets and milestones and so forth on a project that does not necessarily lend itself to milestones. It is about translating between the intimate interior environment of the creative work team and the company's need to make money. 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