Now that you’ve hired that great agency, you need to understand what you can expect from them as your partner for success.
You should expect great performance. Every agency person wants to be able to do a great job. If you share relevant information and give them reasonable deadlines, they should be able to produce great work for you. Work that takes your breath away. Agencies and creatives live and die by their last project. We walk on a knife edge every day and we love it. So you should expect nothing less than great performance.
You should expect flexibility. Agencies are built around their client’s changing business requirements. Agency life is unpredictable and not for everyone. But for those that thrive on challenge and change, those crazy requests are like a gauntlet thrown down and the drive to fulfill is a thrill. You need something tomorrow? Call your agency as soon as you know. You might be surprised at what they can do.
You should expect them to be a partner. Your agency is as much a part of your organization as any other team. They should be as invested in your success as you are. Be sure you have clear metrics for success and hold them accountable. Most agencies will welcome the inclusion and the expectations.
It’s okay to have high expectations for your agency. You have high expectations for your company and they are a part of that dream now. Next week, I’ll share some guidelines for how you can get the most from this dynamic relationship.
Jenn