Teams | Collaboration | Customer Service | Project Management

Building an initial pricing strategy 101: Agency edition

Figuring out what to charge for products is challenging. Determining what to charge for services is even harder. And when those services are both creative and wide-ranging — like they are at your agency — getting pricing just right can feel downright maddening. In this guide, we’ll show you what you need to know as you develop an initial pricing strategy for your agency, along with 14 strategies businesses across a spectrum of industries use to set their pricing.

When to hire an employee: Signs it's time to grow your agency

You’ve been running your agency with a small but mighty team, and it's been working out for you…or so you think. How do you know when it's not? Agencies can get used to running lean out of pure necessity, stuck in survival mode while efficiency, profitability, and employee happiness suffer–and don’t have to! But the thought of hiring help can seem like a bigger burden than a simple solution.

8 useful tips to keep your project management process organized

Project managers know the success or failure of a plan rests primarily on their shoulders — that’s why staying focused and organized is critical. Keeping team members on task, handling the inevitable issues that rear their ugly heads, and moving the project forward so the deliverables are completed on time takes more than luck and skill. Project success depends on how well you stay organized. There are dozens, or hundreds, of ideas and methodologies for staying organized.

A comprehensive guide on project resource management

Project planning is one critical component of project success. But projects don’t happen in a vacuum: To get any project work done, an organization needs people to do the work, materials from which to build the product, and money to pay for the entire operation. This is where resource management enters the picture. It goes a step beyond project management and proactively manages all resources required to successfully complete a project.

The project management life cycle: 4 essential stages

Every project has a life cycle: At minimum, a project has a start and an end. Those points and everything in between form the life cycle of a project. The real question is whether a business will plan that life cycle strategically through project management — or let the life cycle happen to them instead. If you ask us, we’ll tell you the first option is the way to go. Letting the project run the team rarely ends well, while proactive project planning frequently leads to success.

8 ways to increase your agency's profitability

If you were profitable last year, congratulations! It's a good reason to celebrate and offer your employees some profit-sharing bonuses. However, past profitability doesn’t guarantee your future bottom line will always be as exciting. Business owners know they can never stop growing, improving, and reaching beyond their comfort zones.

The most commonly missed signs that it's time to say goodbye to a client

Nobody likes a breakup but just like in our personal lives, professional breakups with clients are also inevitable at times. Sometimes it's just not meant to be and it's better for both parties to go their separate ways! There are plenty of red flags that can pop up letting you know that it's time to say goodbye to your client. Whether that's down to them being a bad fit for your agency or being disrespectful towards you or your team, sometimes you just know it's time to let go.

The four functions of management: Overview + examples

Being or becoming a manager can feel like a daunting task in today’s business world. This is especially true if you’re new to management, recently stepped into a higher-level or unfamiliar role, or leading a rapidly growing company. While we can’t solve all the growing pains you face, we have some great news: No matter your industry or your level of management, you’ll perform the same set of four functions as a manager.

How to plan and execute a successful marketing campaign

Every ship needs a captain, and every captain needs a map to guide the journey. The map for your brand’s digital marketing journey depends on the marketing efforts you choose, including the multi-channel marketing campaigns you and your team put together and execute. Ah, execution — the most difficult part of it all. Did you know that the chances of executing a great marketing campaign increase with proper project management?