How can you create an agency culture that continually inspires your team? After all your team is your #1 asset, so keeping them energized and motivated is key. Agency culture and brand are two sides of the same coin. So, it all starts with defining your own core values. Easier said than done, right?

In this week’s episode, we’ll cover:

• Who to hire first at your agency.
• How to create a desirable agency culture.
• One example of core values that set the tone for amazing agency culture.

Today’s guest on the show is Brad Flowers, founder of Bullhorn Creative. Like many others, Brad and his partner “accidentally” founded their agency. What was just the two of them and some freelancers in 2008 has grown to 2 offices and 14 employees. They learned fast and hard in order to grow, and Brad is on the show to share his tips on creating a desirable agency culture.

Who to Hire First at Your Agency

Their first hire was a Project Manager which is ideal, because PM’s:

• Pay attention to details and follow-up/follow-through.
• Create and implement agency systems and processes.
• Keep track of projects, keeping them on time and in budget.

All this frees up the owner(s) for higher-level, business growth activities. Things like: identifying your ideal clients and proactively going after the business you want in order to grow.

How To Create a Desirable Agency Culture

It clicked for Brad when he read a line in Tony Hsieh’s book, Delivering Happiness.

“Our belief is that a company’s culture and a company’s brand are just two sides of the same coin. The brand is just a lagging indicator of the culture.” ~ Tony Hsieh

Meaning, culture is the outside world’s perception of the people within your agency. And since the people on your team are a reflection of your agency’s core values you need to hire the right people in order to have the culture you want. So, it all starts with setting core values. Here’s how:

1. Do honest inward reflection to determine your (and your partner’s) personal core values.
2. Write your core values and live them by example every day.
3. Begin hiring based on core values in order to mesh them into your culture.
4. Consider incentives or awards in line with the core values.

For more on Zappos’ highly acclaimed company culture and core values check out: How to Define Your Agency’s Core Values and Set Up Your Team for Success Like Zappos.

Core Values that Set the Tone for Agency Culture

Bullhorn has 3 pairs of core values they bring to life in their agency’s culture. Like Zappos, these aren’t just a motto to aspire toward, they’re a way of life.

1. Empathy & Honesty

• Understand where someone else is coming from but be honest enough to keep things on track.
• Relevant both internally among the team and externally with clients.
• Empathy is a unique way of demonstrating authority to your prospects and clients.

2. Dissatisfaction & Improvement

• It’s OK to be unhappy but also important to help be part of the solution.
• Always look for ways to make things better.

3. Creativity & Decisiveness

• Agency teams are presumably creative, but creativity is encouraged and celebrated in every role – including bookkeeping, business development etc.
• Indecisiveness is the enemy of good work.

Creating Agency Culture In Your Business Moving Forward

The agency culture definition can be summed up as a combination of the business vision, values and actions of your agency. Once you have identified these values, these will guide you in how and who you hire to create your team. With your team, this gives your audience and clients an insight into the culture of your business so working to consistently improve this is key. And then moving forward with the agency culture for your business, just remember the core values discussed in today’s episode.

Need Guidance and Support to Grow Your Agency 3X Faster?

Are you overwhelmed by all the information out there on various ways to grow your agency? Do you want direction on how you can grow your agency faster and easier?

Then you’re in luck! I created an innovative mentorship called Agency University.

Agency University is a program which provides the 1-on-1 mentorship and ongoing support that is crucial to the success of your agency. Click here to see if it’s the right fit for you.