A transformational quarter

Agency founders get impatient for progress.

We dash around spotting things to improve, having great ideas for new initiatives — and then just announcing (or even starting) them immediately.

But then the changes seem to drag, the team don’t really get behind them, or it just feels like there isn’t enough time.

So most of the changes we try to make just fizzle out.

That’s a massive waste of energy, and opportunity.

Yet, after the ups and downs of the last few years, the opportunities are now there again — for the agencies that can shape up and reinvent themselves for the new marketplace.

Those that can’t make this transformation will continue scraping along, having to work so hard for every dollar.

There has never been a greater need to transform your agency than now.

So how to make it happen, in a way that will actually make it happen?

Oddly, it works best to start by setting constraints.

Decide on a time-box. I find a quarter is the right ‘size’ for significant transformation in an owner-led business like an agency.

Set a limit on the amount of work. In amongst all the normal work of an agency each time you convene will effectively have the equivalent of a week to work on things. What could get done in that time. Make the missions the right size.

Create as many ideas for transformation as possible, gather into themed missions, and then ruthlessly prioritise by the value they’d deliver. Pick the top ones up to your limit.

Gather small mixed teams around each mission.

Then have a rhythm of reviewing and replanning progress every two weeks. Guide teams to work visibly, design two weeks’ worth of work towards the mission, and then be accountable for having done it.

And you as the leader need to be championing this transformational work, supporting the teams, keeping focus on the missions, celebrating progress.

And you need to hold yourself accountable for this too.

This is (a very brief summary of) the ‘Transformational Quarter’ approach.

Use this simple approach to plan now to make the next 3 months a transformational quarter for your agency, and you’ll be amazed what scale and pace of change you can achieve.