Project Management

There are many benefits for handling these relationships:

• The agency liaises with one person, and one that has marketing experience and is knowledgeable of the company’s business, objectives and marketing plans
• I can handle and manage expectations on both sides. I know only too well how difficult it can be for external agencies coping with changing briefs, and for businesses to appreciate the process and can they ‘just’ is not always as easy as it sounds
• It takes the pressure off the business and they can be confident in the knowledge that the agency has access to someone able to answer their questions and keep the activity going 

If businesses don’t have agencies they are already working with but there is a need to buy-in skills, I will manage the process of identifying options, creating a brief and working with all parties until a decision has been made.

Once the relationship starts, I will then handle the ‘getting up speed’ or induction process by providing the agency with all the information and insight they need so they can carry out their work effectively. This will include details of the business preferences and likes and dislikes. This is can be time-consuming but worth it for all involved. It means that the relationship gets off to a good start so that new activities can have maximum impact.

So what do I mean by the title? It’s a heart-felt plea and a reminder to agencies and suppliers, particularly for:

• Content – check for errors with grammar, spelling mistakes before submission, and when we give you feedback on preferred tone and layout take note for future!
• Timescales – stick to the schedule! .. and importantly keep in touch with regular communication on progress – it’s the basis of a good working relationship.