Sam Floy - operationalizing your agency, finding your best clients, vertical vs. horizonal responsibilities
Oct 23, 2023
auto_awesome
Sam Floy, an expert in operationalizing agencies and finding the best clients, shares insights on challenges of operationalizing an agency, starting a podcast and creating a repeatable solution. They discuss hiring and capacity planning in a flexible skill set environment, maintaining quality control and encouraging creativity in the agency, and common agency problems like finding high-quality clients.
Operationalizing the agency through replicability and delegation leads to running the business without direct involvement.
Hiring smart individuals who align with the agency's values, prioritizing adaptability, and fostering a culture of creativity and experimentation within the team are crucial.
Deep dives
Operationalizing the Agency and Building Repeatable Solutions
The speaker discusses how they operationalized their agency by creating repeatable solutions for a repeatable problem. They started the agency four years ago with the goal of removing themselves from the daily work of the business. By prioritizing replicability and creating processes for each aspect of the business, they were able to optimize and delegate tasks effectively. This approach allowed them to bring in others who could perform the tasks better than them, leading to the agency being able to run without their direct involvement.
Finding the Sweet Spot and Hiring Smart People
The speaker emphasizes the importance of hiring smart people with the right mindset and character. They believe that skills can be taught, but finding people who align with the agency's values is crucial. They have a mentoring system in place to help new team members learn through shadowing and collaboration. They focus on hiring individuals who are adaptable and can handle the changing nature of the industry. The speaker also discusses the benefits of having a flat hierarchy and fostering a culture of creativity and experimentation within the team.
Client Selection and Quality Control
The speaker shares insights on client selection and maintaining quality control. They actively seek clients who align with their business model and value the services they offer. By focusing on B2B clients who understand the return on investment, they can demonstrate the value of their services effectively. They prioritize clients who appreciate their work and are willing to collaborate. Additionally, the speaker mentions the importance of quality control through regular team brainstorming sessions and client involvement in the process.