Symptoms of Denial10 Warning Signs a Firm Is in Trouble
Understand when it’s time to take a serious, in-depth look at the way the agency operates – when a simple hire or fire won’t create significant improvement.
Symptom 1: All the focus is on past success
Toys of Christmas Past by Paul Townsend
More time is spent talking about the good old days. Case studies are starting to look dated. There is nothing new to show. There is little to get excited about.
Symptom 2: Risk taking is not encouraged
Staff is afraid. New ideas just fizzle away. Punishment is doled out for the smallest infraction. Fear of failure drives decision making.
"Taken at Trash " by Melusina Parkin
Symptom 3: Politics are the rule
Positions and titles become increasingly important. More private one-on-one meetings. Motivation is questioned. Issues addressed by trying to manipulate staff.
http://rosaryofsighsx.deviantart.com/art/She-Said-Murder-95023382
Symptom 4: Employees guess at what management wants
No big-picture direction from management. Focus is on granular-level tasks. Information flow is all back-channel. Staff has difficulty actually getting any work done.
http://369dreamergirl.deviantart.com/art/Gamble-148181897
Symptom 5: Decision making in the hands/minds of the few
Agency becomes more insular and siloed. Decisions are bumped up to the next higher authority. Work delayed until management reviews. Anyone who speaks up is viewed with hostility.
http://chris10ne.deviantart.com/art/Slow-Down-173245618
Symptom 6: Appearances are all-important
Agency seems focused on distractions, busy work. Managers squash feedback. Bad news is swept under the rug. Nobody is accountable.
http://pumpkin87.deviantart.com/art/Beyond-Appearances-311037927
Symptom 7: Programs du jour are the menu
Change programs started and abandoned without achieving anything. Every new management fad imitated. Off-site retreats produce little results.
http://ivan-suta.deviantart.com/art/four-cups-66657081
Symptom 8: Micromanagement is the culture
Resistance to delegating any work. Management expects regular reports on miscellany. Smaller and smaller faithful “in” the know. Everything is a priority.
http://www.deviantart.com/art/Minimalism-41907400
Symptom 9: Energy level is low
Management finds it easier to brush staff experience aside. More meetings, no decisions. Staff taking more breaks, chatting and wasting time online. Absenteeism rising.
http://www.deviantart.com/art/Just-a-Chair-BW-84801156
Symptom 10: Business as usual
There is no vision for the future, no plan for growth, and no hope. Agency mission statement hanging on the wall seems lifeless and phony. New ideas are squashed.
http://www.deviantart.com/art/Almost-58298129
Get Out of Denial
¨ Establish a Clear Vision/Mission Motivating and energizing, yet
doable, actionable¨ Leadership Must Commit Fully
Ensures resources, decisions, momentum and action
¨ Ensure Everyone Is Involved Incorporate all operational
components and organizational levels, no sacred cows
¨ Involvement/Ownership Leaders and change agents
actively engaged ¨ Have a Plan
Develop it/work it/track it
¨ Our experience in working with agencies of all sizes has uncovered many examples of denial, or barriers to change
¨ Leaders need to shift their focus to inside the agency and address tangible issues often overlooked
¨ Agencies often make the mistake of addressing a single issue, such as staffing, as opposed to taking a more holistic approach to problem solving and long-term planning
¨ We encourage agencies to conduct a broader, more in-depth assessment of their organization to uncover the underlying issues affecting performance
Sanders Consulting Group¨ Operating over 30 years, helping over
5,000 agencies ¨ Known around the world as the leading
new business consulting firm¨ Working with some of the best managed
agencies on the globe ¨ Selected as the new business training
provider to the largest agencies in the world¨ We show you how to win,
not just play the game
Visit www.sandersconsulting.come-mail: [email protected]
Call 412.897.9329
Bob SandersPresident Sanders Consulting GroupNew Directions For Agency Growth
We see our role as trusted advisors helping you to chart a new path for your firm that leads to success
and perhaps moving to the next level. We believe that anyone can adjust to the industry realities and survive.
But if you embrace them, you can soar.