A good, positive company culture is high on the list of priorities for people looking to work at an agency.
However, unbeknownst to agency owners a good company culture is more than beer pong, pool tables, breakout zones adored with cushions and beanbags, and of course don’t forget the complementary pizza that gets ordered in for on a when a clients visit.
After all it’s not a 6th formers common room, agencies can be tough places to work, there are high expectations, demanding deadlines with busy highs and quiet lows. At times it can be overwhelming place to work, this is why it’s so important to have a good company culture to keep morale high.
A company culture is the life blood that flows through the agency. It’s the environment that you have created, it’s the atmosphere or personality of an agency that influences employee satisfaction, productivity, and overall business success. People feel a sense of belonging, being a part of a creative tribe, a place where employees are proud to say “This is where I work!”.
A culture is built upon shared values, beliefs, and behaviours that shape the way employees interact with each other, clients, and is a reflection of your agency.
Ultimately, a positive company culture makes a significant difference in an individual's overall job experience and career trajectory. By choosing an agency with a strong culture, individuals can expect a fulfilling and rewarding professional journey.
A bad agency culture is where people dread logging in on a Monday morning. Perhaps a company they feel trapped, overworked and underappreciated. It could be classified as a “toxic work environment” Sometimes can be down to an individual or poor leadership, either way it’s not a nice place to work. Even when you do say something you get the standard gaslighting response of “Agency Life isn’t for everyone”
A poor company culture can include:
Start by identifying what type of culture is cultivating within your agency, the best way is to bench mark this by sending out an employee survey. The data collected from this will give you an insight about the current situation within your agency. To receive honest feedback from your team set your surveys to anonymous.
What does your agency stand for? Has it lost its way in recent years?
It might be time to redefine your agency’s core values, mission statement and overall vision.
Clearly articulate your agency's core values and ensure they are understood and embraced by everyone. Reinforce these values in your daily interactions and decision-making process, these values are almost the code your agency and team should live by.
Revisit the company's mission and vision to ensure they align with the desired culture, is it still fit for purpose and is everyone aware of it. Your ethos should be the guiding compass for your agency and for your team to follow.
Your talent is one of the most important resources within your agency, treat them like humans not a commodity. A happy, motivated team need guidance, nurturing and support for them to do their very best work. Conduct regular performance reviews of all staff members, provide clear and concise 360 feedback, not just from their managers but the wider team too.
Goals and KPI’’s should be set for each employee this gives them purposes, accountability and direction. Invest in your staff’s development by providing training, workshops, and mentorship opportunities. Empower them by giving space and resources to assist them grow in their role.
Communication is key to building a good culture at your agency. Information can be lost especially as your agency increases in size or if you are international. When communication breaks down then the whole agency and culture becomes misaligned.
Create open channels of communication, such as regular team meetings, feedback sessions, and anonymous surveys. Be transparent about the direction of the businesses, new clients, projects, wins and overall financial health.
Agencies can feel very segregated at times, especially during busy periods. Your teams are head down and cracking on with their endless “to do list”. This can lead to a decline in social interactions with one another which means employees become more isolated and distance. It’s important to build a strong team, this can be achieved by organising team-building actives or social interactions outside of work to help create a sense of camaraderie and strength relationships. Fostering a sense of community plays a vital role in creating a positive agency culture.
The team you build is vital to the success of your agency, not only with the right skills and mind set but with the right attitude. Many disgruntled employees will leave an organisation because of poor management, a difficult individual or workplace bullying. Just because a person is disruptive but good at their job doesn’t mean they should be working within your agency still. It’s about putting the right people in the right position.
Employee well-being should be a high priority for all agency owners, an overworked and overwhelmed team leads to burnout and quitting. Promote a healthy work-life balance, offering flexible working arrangements and encouraging time off. Provide resources and support for mental health, such as employee assistance programs or wellness initiatives.
Plan resources well in advance, rather than overloading your team with new projects, plan and stagger deadlines with plenty of buffer time.
If a member of your team goes above and beyond or delivers an outstanding piece of work, then why not acknowledge them. This can come in the form of a shout out in a company catch up or financial reward like a performance bonus.
Just as simple as a “well done”, “thank you” or “good job” goes along way for the morale of your team.
Now, I know we said a culture isn’t all about pool tables, fancy furniture, pizza Tuesdays and beer o clock on a Friday. However, little perks do make a difference but they shouldn’t be relied on especially if people are unhappy and leaving your agency. Employees want to feel comfortable where they work, even if they don’t come in to the office often it’s still important to have a welcoming environment.
Agency culture is about how you make your employees feel, are they treated with respect, do they have a sense of purpose and belonging. Culture is more than a few buzzwords written on the wall it’s the ideology that everyone embraces for the better. It’s leaving work at night feeling like they have contributed and their work is appreciated. It’s getting up and looking forward to the day ahead without concern or worry. It’s about the ability to confidently call out “toxic behaviour” not only from colleagues or leadership but clients too. Knowing their words will be listened to and action will take place. A good agency culture is why people are drawn to you and the reason they don’t want to leave.
