Hello,
Reading time: about 2 minutes, at most
Last time we presented the beginning of a list of agency imperatives, things we see successful agency leaders do to insure growth and prosperity in their companies. To those of you who forwarded additional suggestions, our thanks - we've included several of your ideas below (and we welcome more; just e-mail us).
So here's the next batch.
There should be one or two ideas here to challenge and stimulate your leadership thinking as you, perhaps, laze on the beach for a while this warm month, recharging your batteries on a little vacation.
All the best,
Joe Grant
joe@joegrantconsulting.com
P.S. Our website is loaded with articles on these and other agency-related ideas. Go to our website and click on the Articles tab for some easy summertime reading.
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More Agency Must-dos
Deliver the gospel
When we audit agencies we ask the troops, "What's the goal around here?" Usually not even 10% of the responses come close to a coherent reply. No wonder there's no energy, no buzz, no focus - people don't understand where the company's going! Sure, the mission's clear to you but, like media where frequency is king, your people need to hear the gospel over and over again. In fact, think about it - religious institutions preach the same messages every weekend because people need to hear it repeatedly. Successful companies promulgate tangible core purposes, values and goals. Does everyone in your outfit know what they are?
Solve things once
Here's a million dollar idea: solve your problems once, not repeatedly. If your staff meetings resemble the movie Groundhog Day it means you're just spinning your wheels. Discover the root causes of this stagnation and vow to fix them, not the symptoms. This is the formula: What's the problem, what's the fundamental cause, how do we solve it, who will fix it and when. Band-Aids won't eliminate serious problems.
Innovate from below
Your assignment: ask all employees to submit 2 ideas for improving the agency. Why? Because the troops in the foxholes probably know better than you what's needed. Just because you're the king doesn't mean you're the smartest; there are documented cases of the alpha buffalo leading his herd over a cliff. So get their take on what would make the place swing and then do everything they suggest that you think reasonable. It's in everyone's best interest, even your clients'. Get more ideas on agency leadership in this article from our website, 15 Things Every Agency Owner Should Know.
Plan
Some people work hard maintaining an overcrowded schedule just to create the security of avoiding things they know need attention. They'll tell you there's just no time to "plan." Yet taking the time to think through objectives, strategies, and tactics - planning - is the way to a smoother running enterprise. Too many unforeseen incidents in our business to plan, you say? Nonsense. Firefighters and EMTs could make the same excuse and no one has more unforeseeable emergencies than they - yet they make the time to train, practice and improve. The only way time spent planning is wasted is when you don't execute the plan. In addition to planning, there are four other essential CEO activities described in our article, The CEO's Job Description from our website.
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We'll share more operating imperatives next month. If you'd like to contribute ideas about what you think is essential for agency management success, just drop a note to us at joe@joegrantconsulting.com.
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Monkeying Around |
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We use this web tool when we administer 3rd party surveys about agency employee morale, 360s, and other projects. It's very easy to set up, secure, and definitely user friendly. See Survey Monkey. No bananas required. |
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Who Needs MBAs |
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Why wasn't this stuff around when I was in school? Here's a comprehensive batch of tools and links for MBA students that managers will find helpful. The File Vault alone (templates, presentations, article summaries) makes it a must for your Favorites. Stop at the MBA Depot.
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Civic Lesson |
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Here's another really clever Honda spot from the UK. Make sure you have the sound on when you run it. Yes, I know this is the second month in a row we've featured a Honda spot. Don't you agree they do great stuff?
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The Score |
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If your company's relatively small, don't overlook the free resources available at SCORE. It's a cadre of retired successful business people who volunteer their expertise. Believe me, whatever problem you're facing someone else has had to deal with before. Many emerging companies have profited from SCORE.
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Ink |
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The greatest invention of all time? Writing. The ability to get the ideas floating inside my head on paper so they get inside your head is at the heart of civilization. Some great minds share what writing's all about on this nicely done site from Ink.
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About Grant Consulting
Grant Consulting, formed in 1992 by Joe Grant, is a consultative resource for advertising agency principals who want to improve their companies. The firm works exclusively with senior managers to help them discover and then reach their full potential. Copyright 2006 Grant Consulting Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. We encourage sharing in whole or in part if copyright and attribution are included. Contact us at:
Grant Consulting
239.394.8220
joe@joegrantconsulting.com
www.joegrantconsulting.com
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