Creative service businesses tend to have a small number of clients (8 – 12) that make up the bulk of their revenue each year. So keeping those clients happy is crucial to your success. What does it mean to “delight” clients of a creative services firm? What will separate you from the other agencies competing…
I worked with a client who was not very popular with his staff. He had high standards and wasn’t afraid to enforce them. He was blunt and direct; some would say that his feedback crossed the line to unkind. Over time, his communication style fostered resentment in his team. One employee in particular, became a…
“In any team, particularly creative teams, the productive output of the team is inversely proportional to the drama between the team members.” ~ Julie Colbrese Have you ever been part of a team that had lots of politics, in-fighting, and drama? How do you remember that time in your life? Was it satisfying, engaging, and…
Take a minute and think back. Was there ever a team you were part of that stands out? Maybe you got great results, or every person on the team felt integral and valued. It could be a work team or a sports team. It could be one you are on now, or you might be…
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. (Hopefully, you’ve planned something for your significant other. If not, you’re welcome!) In honor of tomorrow’s holiday, my message to you today is a short one…in the ageless words of Dolly Parton, “Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life!” Those words come from a…
What are the things that make you the happiest in your life? Those times or activities that make you feel like life is worth living, that feed your soul. When I was brainstorming this, I came up with: Spending time with my children Visiting National Parks and experiencing wild places. Live music and dancing! A…
Entrepreneurs: The only people who work 80 hour weeks to avoid working 40 hour weeks. ~ Lori Greiner How many of these things are true of your “boss”? They set unreasonable deadlines, and then you end up working late trying to meet them. They regularly underestimate the work on your plate. When a client asks…
We’ve been talking all week about what we can do to get the love back, and today, I wanted to tell you a couple of stories about clients who have done just that! One needed a new focus, another a new role, and a third a new system. As you read these, notice which story…
For some business owners, the excitement and passion they have for their business can get stomped out by the administrivia, the grind, and the thankless leadership tasks. Over time, the vision they had for the business they set out to build starts to fade, and they start dreaming about a different business. For some, the…
Maybe owning a firm hasn’t turned out to be what you thought it was going to be. You’re doing mostly sales, bookkeeping, and administration when you thought you’d be having client strategy meetings and developing breakthrough concepts. The days are long, and the rewards are, so far, thin. The honeymoon is over, and you’re left…