Happy Teams – Details, episodes & analysis

From our latest agency leadership podcast episode: Digital marketing agencies RocketMill and PMG reveal how their merger strengthened organisational culture and team retention, moving beyond traditional ESG principles and riding the Gartner Hype Cycle of acquisition excitement.

When RocketMill transitioned from an employee-owned trust to joining global agency PMG, they achieved something remarkable, improved employee retention, even after team members received their acquisition payouts.

"We didn't need to do a deal we wanted to, so it wasn't a deal born out of necessity," says Tom. "We were clear with the team that it was about opportunity creation and career enabling, but the notion of career headroom drove the decision."

"For the first six months, I'm not sure we lost anyone." Tom explains. "I think that curiosity played a large part in it. I think an understanding of the shared vision played a large part in it. And I think the fact that genuinely people could see that if you look at the portfolio of clients that PMG have, they represent some of the most iconic brands in the world."

PMG demonstrated their company culture commitment through strategic change management: "The head of people within PMG moved to London for four or five months with her family to be here on the ground with our team, to be with our people so that they understood. To ensure that they were heard, to ensure cultural sensitivity - it was just a very human thing to do."

Discover more insights about successful agency acquisitions on the Happy Teams podcast.

Digital agency StrategIQ earned a spot on the Sunday Times Best Places to Work list. On Happy Teams, CEO Andy revealed their employee engagement strategy, drawing from business principles found in books like "Traction" from Gino Wickman and concepts like Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

"Every business has to have a strong training culture. Every business has to have a wellbeing culture. You have to have a strong leadership team, have to have clear values," he says. But after an unsuccessful application last year, they discovered gaps in their workplace culture: "We hadn't put enough time and effort into things like, the package that's sat around the wellbeing and additional stuff that I think employees expect now."

The agency implements innovative team development through personality profiling and motivational mapping. "It helps us understand how to communicate with people that are opposite to you," Andy explains. "There's no right or wrong. It's just, we are who we are. It doesn't mean to say I'm a good communicator or a bad communicator if I'm red, I'm green or blue or yellow."

This organisational transparency shapes their company culture. "Everyone's profile is visible to everyone in the company in our staff room. We have a massive wall up, all dedicated to insights and everyone's profile is plotted on the wall," Andy says. "The language is really ingrained. Everyone, when they join, gets their own profile."

The employee engagement approach succeeded, StrategIQ achieved their Sunday Times listing. But Andy acknowledges their workplace culture isn't universal: "Being as transparent as we are and being as ambitious as we are, what I guess I think I've realised is there is a certain type of person that can come into the agency and handle this level of transparency, handle this level of intense coaching."

Discover how to build an award-winning company culture on Happy Teams, where Andy shares StrategIQ's complete transformation story.

"The inspiration for doing it was multifaceted. We're working in an industry that, if you stand still, the tendency is you can become, increasingly, irrelevant." In the latest episode of Happy Teams, Chris Jones, CEO of Space & Time, shares his agency's journey during the pandemic.

Recognising the need to adapt to the changing digital landscape and client needs, Space & Time embarked on a repositioning to become a growth marketing agency. They focused on developing new capabilities in technology, training, and performance creative to provide holistic, value-driven solutions for their clients.

Key takeaways from Space & Time's journey:

1. Embrace change and innovation to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry.
2. Develop authentic solutions that align with your agency's strengths and expertise.
3. Engage external experts to help set the "North Star" and gain perspective during the transformation process.
4. Prioritise the "why" behind the change and get your team on board early to drive motivation and success.

Chris emphasises the importance of having genuine commercial partnerships with clients, focusing on solving their long-term challenges and driving growth. To support this mindset shift, Space & Time brought in Sam Conniff from Uncertainty Experts to help their team embrace change and develop a solutions-oriented approach.

The agency also established three core values: find solutions always, help others, and make a difference. These values have been instrumental in fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and client-centricity.

While the transformation journey had its challenges, Space & Time's growth and success speak for themselves. The agency has outperformed industry benchmarks, with low staff attrition, long-term client relationships, and a 10% growth rate (adjusted for inflation) in the past 12 months.

For agencies considering a similar repositioning, Chris advises staying authentic to your strengths, seeking external expertise, and prioritising the "why" to get your team motivated and invested in the change.

Tune in to learn how Space & Time successfully navigated the challenges of the pandemic and emerged as a thriving growth marketing agency, poised for continued success in an ever-changing digital landscape.

"The inspiration for doing this was not having a USP and not standing out as an agency anymore." Gareth Morgan, founder of Liberty Marketing, shares his agency's journey into specialisation in this episode of the Happy Teams podcast.

By launching Foundation for the beauty industry and Balance for financial services, Liberty discovered the power of having a clear USP in a crowded market. Specialisation had an immediate impact, attracting senior marketers from leading brands and a flood of new business.

Gareth discusses the importance of having a passionate, credible leader with deep industry knowledge at the helm. Specialisation has also boosted team satisfaction and performance, with Liberty scoring above industry benchmarks on metrics like team relationships and learning opportunities.

Tune in to learn how specialisation transformed Liberty Marketing and discover valuable insights for your own agency's growth strategy.

Key takeaways:

1. Specialisation helps agencies stand out and attract top clients and talent.
2. Authentic sector expertise and a passionate leader are crucial for success.
3. Specialising can boost team happiness and performance by fostering learning and pride.
4. Careful consideration is essential before specialising, as it requires significant time and focus.

Paul, Head of Operations and Delivery at Hedgehog Lab, reveald the key ingredients to sustaining a high performing team culture following their merger with Netsells. 

"Giving people a platform to work on good quality projects where they're understanding who the client is and what the background is and helping them see those things through to fruition gives them self-satisfaction," Paul explains, highlighting the importance of humanising the client-agency relationship.

Paul dives into four critical aspects of Hedgehog Lab's approach to building happy, collaborative teams post merger:

1. 🤝 Cultural Fit - Ensuring new hires align with the company's values and work well with existing teams is essential for maintaining a cohesive culture, especially during a merger.
2. 📣 Assumptions are Dangerous - Clear communication and well-defined processes are crucial to avoid misunderstandings and keep everyone on the same page, particularly when integrating teams with different ways of working.
3. 🌍 Fostering Collaboration - Regular meetups, inclusive social events, and daily stand-ups help remote team members feel connected and engaged, even across time zones.
4. 🔄 Feedback Loops - Multiple channels for sharing concerns and ideas, from one-on-ones with line managers to mental health support and anonymous surveys, ensure everyone's voice is heard.

Paul also shares his biggest post-merger learning: investing in a Professional Services Automation (PSA) tool from day one. 

"Had we set ourselves on the front foot with that, maybe gone with a solution early doors, then that would've enforced a lot of the process that is required," he reflects.

🎧 Tune in to discover how Hedgehog Lab is leveraging seniority, collaboration, and a return to the office to drive the next phase of growth, and learn from Paul's experience uniting teams and processes post-acquisition.

Listen to Paddy Moogan, co-founder of SEO agency Aira, share his interesting journey from young florist to SEO agency leader.

Paddy is open about the challenges of balancing capacity with incoming work, sharing instances where Aira got it right – and where they stumbled.

He discussed the importance of prioritising quality over speed in hiring, even when the pressure is on.

"We wanted to hire people that could come in and hit the ground running," Paddy explains, a move that allowed Aira's founders to focus on growing the business while maintaining high-quality work.

Drawing on his experience training new SEO managers, Paddy identified a gap in the market for resources tailored specifically to agency leaders.

This inspired him to create an online course aimed at helping new managers navigate the transition from exceptional practitioners to effective people leaders.

🌟 Paddy's Key Advice for Agency Owners:

1. Ensure every team member has a clear "next step" in their career journey.
2. Never settle when it comes to hiring. If it's not a resounding "yes," it's a no.
3. Understand the self-reinforcing relationship between happy teams and satisfied clients.

Today, we're thrilled to welcome Rob from Graphite Digital, a specialist digital design agency working within healthcare and pharma. Rob is set to unravel a captivating tapestry of initiatives that are reshaping Graphite Digital into an exceptional workplace.

Join us as we dive into Rob's world, where he unveils what truly sets Graphite Digital apart, going beyond the expected norms of benefits and perks that have become industry standards. 

Rob's insights will take you on a journey through:

• The secret ingredients that infuse Graphite Digital with an undeniable spark, creating a culture that goes above and beyond to nurture and engage its team members.
• Beyond the ordinary: Discover how those little touches can create a ripple effect of positivity, camaraderie, and an atmosphere where creativity thrives.
• A holistic approach: Rob shares the inside scoop on how Graphite Digital crafts an environment that nurtures professional growth, personal well-being, and a sense of belonging that's truly transformative.

Ready to dive into the art of creating a workplace that's more than just a 9-to-5? Tune in and be prepared to be inspired by Rob's innovative thinking and fresh perspective.

To stay in the loop with all things Graphite Digital, swing by their virtual home at https://www.graphitedigital.com/, and connect with Rob on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/robverheul

Welcome to another episode of the Happy Teams podcast! Today we chat with Dan, from Wonderful, a dynamic digital creative agency nestled in the heart of the South West of England. Get ready to dive into the exciting world of strategies that are reshaping Wonderful into a workplace where brilliance thrives.

In this episode, Dan unveils a captivating initiative that's truly unique:

• Get ready to be amazed by the "Wonderful Thing" meetings, where innovation, knowledge sharing, and camaraderie intertwine. Picture this: someone takes the stage and presents on a diverse range of topics, be it a passion project, a new skill, or an exciting discovery. These meetings are more than just a showcase – they're a testament to how Wonderful fosters an environment where learning and sharing are celebrated.

Join us as we explore:

• The origins of the "Wonderful Thing" meetings and how they've become a focal point for the agency's culture. Discover how these gatherings embody the spirit of exploration, sparking fresh insights and building a tight-knit community along the way.

Curious to know more about the incredible journey of Wonderful? Head over to https://www.thewonderful.co.uk/ for a glimpse into their world. And if you're eager to connect with Dan and soak in more of his insights, you can find him on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/danmaudhub

Welcome back to the Happy Teams podcast, your ultimate destination for candid conversations with digital leaders who are mastering the art of attracting and retaining top-tier digital talent. Today we're in for an insightful journey with Anthony from The Distance, a mobile app development agency. Get ready to delve into the exciting world of initiatives that are transforming The Distance into a workplace that truly shines.

In this episode, Anthony unveils the secrets behind his mantra – a mantra that resonates with anyone who's ever dreamed of creating a space where people not only thrive but also never want to leave. Anthony's vision is simple yet powerful: to create a workplace culture where everyone wants to be, both customers and employees alike.

Join us as we explore:

• Anthony's unique perspective on fostering a work environment where allure meets retention. His goal? To create a space that's so compelling, so magnetic, that team members feel a genuine pull to be a part of it.
• Dive into the heart of Anthony's strategies, where he shares the keys to crafting a culture where customer satisfaction and employee happiness go hand in hand.

Curious to learn more about the exciting journey of The Distance? Head over to https://www.thedistance.co.uk/ for an immersive experience. And if you're eager to connect with Anthony and soak in more of his insights, you can find him on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonymain

Welcome to Happy Teams! Our latest episode puts the spotlight on AgencyUK, a leading full service brand communications agency based in the South West of England.

Join us as we chat with Sammy, where he unveils key initiatives that have turned the company into a great place to work, including:

• Their impactful B Corp status, driving positive change in both work and culture.
• The unique "Agency for All" training program, shaping the next generation of talent.
• How AgencyUK achieves an impressive 5% staff turnover rate.
• An unexpected mission to pollinate the UK with Knights Beekeeping!

Discover more about AgencyUK at https://www.agencyuk.com/ and connect with Sammy on LinkedIn. Get ready to glean insights that could reshape your approach to talent management. Let's dive in!