Article - What Are The Key Characteristics Of High-Performing Agencies?

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AUTHOR: Robert Craven

High-performing digital agencies charge more, earn more, are more profitable, hire the best people, have the pick of reputable contractors and utilise their resources more effectively. 

If you’re not doing the above, then it’s likely that you’re stuck in the middle. You’re too small to be big and can’t compete on reputation with the industry giants. 

But I do appreciate how difficult it is to make these decisions. The critical thing to understand is that those who achieve success haven't done so on their own.

The secret sauce isn’t making that commitment to charge more and do all those things. It’s about getting the right level of support - whether that’s consultancy or coaching - to give you the confidence needed to push forward.

Essentially, successful people recognise that they can’t do it all themselves. Behind every great agency owner is a group of people who keep them accountable and on the right track.  

Are high-performing digital agencies purpose-driven? 

I’ve worked with a lot of agency owners who’ve listened to Simon Sinek’s famous TED talk, Start With Why. They have driven themselves mad trying to think of their purpose. The problem is that when you haven’t found your thing, it can be incredibly discouraging. 

Rather, I believe that it isn’t fundamental to have a solid purpose*. What you need is drive, ambition and a good business model. Not all successful businesspeople are saving the world. They are motivated to thrive because they do great work and work with fantastic people.  

* Too often, purpose is used loosely to mean something big and planet-saving. It doesn’t have to be that way.