As agency owners, we all want to be different. We don’t want to be the boss who is a stickler for punctuality or to feel like we’re micromanaging our employees. But HR issues will inevitably arise, and that’s when the reality check sets in. […]
Online communities are quickly becoming one of the most powerful biz dev tools out there, but there’s etiquette to starting and maintaining one. It’s not for everyone, but for those who are ready, an online community could be your ticket to selling without ever having to actually sell. […]
Agency Money People - Could A Quarterly Meeting Change your Work Life?Something we often hear from agency CFOs/Accountants, Bookkeepers, etc. is they wish they had others to bounce around ideas with …who understand the business … and could offer an informed opinion. Let’s face it. As the agency's money person, you're usually the one who is driving some of the biggest decisions within the business.What if you could spend 3-4 hours a quarter with an “ad hoc” board of advisors -others who are walking the same path as you, facing the same challenges?We’re inviting you to join AMI’s Money People Network - a quarterly half-day meeting of the member agency CFO/Accountant/Bookkeepers (10 agencies max) who talk openly and freely about their challenges and come together collectively to assist each other to meet those challenges.It will become the best, most productive half-day of your quarter. We promise.AMI's Sandy Catour facilitates these virtual video gatherings of agency money people from across the world who not only learn from each other but also create a bond in a confidential environment that promotes resource sharing, problem-solving, and camaraderie.You’re Among Peers Who All Want The Same Thing Network members are exclusive to their market – there’s no competitive threat … no other agencies from across town … only others just like you who are committed to growing their agencies in ways that separate and distinguish them from those in an increasingly competitive marketplace.There’s power in collective experiences. Each quarter (and probably in-between via email) members come together to tackle issues … from best practices for financial management, reporting, and forecasting, making the most of your financial software, providing analysis and input on matters that affect the financial strength of the [...]
What's going on in terms of your own internal education program? Your own sustainability program around helping everyone on the team get smarter and better?
We’ve all been here before — your agency grows, and your day-to-day is getting a little too chaotic for comfort. Each team member has their own way of doing things, and no one is on the same page about the best approach to doing recurring tasks. As the agency owner, you’re getting pulled into things that you shouldn’t, becoming the organization’s bottleneck. […]
In a sharp contrast to the earlier pandemic years, many agency owners said that in 2023, they have the best teams they’ve ever had and want to find ways to keep them around. This is great news, and we want to help keep your agency dream team alive and thriving. […]
What exactly makes an insight versus just an observation? What are the different types out there? How the heck do we uncover them? This week, we’re getting insightful about insights and laying out the key characteristics of strong agency insights — like inspiring action and reframing problems. […]
If there’s one word that will send any agency owner or employee running for the hills, it’s timesheets. Although one of the most universally disliked words in the agency world, timesheets are still the number one way to detect and diagnose problems within the agency before they become catastrophes. […]
A guest post by Build A Better Agency Sponsor Manish Dudharejia from e2msolutions Building and scaling a digital agency comes with its unique set of challenges. In the dynamic world of digital marketing, success often hinges on making effective decisions. To navigate this landscape, digital agency owners can benefit from adopting practical mental models that serve as guiding frameworks for decision-making. Let's explore seven such practical mental models that can contribute to the success of digital agency owners. Build with Generalists, Scale with Specialists In the words of venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, "While Building, Hire Generalists While Scaling, Hire Specialists." This mental model underscores the importance of crafting an agile and versatile team during the initial stages of building your agency. Generalists bring a diverse skill set to the table, enabling the agency to adapt to various challenges. As the agency grows, the focus shifts to specialization. Specialists bring in-depth knowledge and expertise, allowing the agency to delve deeper into specific niches and provide unparalleled services. Striking a balance between generalists and specialists ensures a robust and adaptable team capable of meeting the evolving needs of clients. Hire Job-Doers, Title-Givers Later Often, rigid job titles can limit the potential of team members. The mental model here suggests "Hire people who’re doing a job without a job title and then give a title to them." This approach encourages agency owners to prioritize skills and performance over predefined roles. By recruiting individuals based on their ability to get the job done, agency owners can assemble a team that is not bound by traditional job descriptions. After understanding each team member's strengths and contributions, titles can be assigned accordingly. This flexible approach fosters a culture of adaptability and [...]
There’s no other way to spin it — agency owners had it rough in 2023. And while we spent all year going over the struggles of agency ownership, one universal positive kept coming up with everyone. […]
If you didn't find what you were looking for, try a new search!
