Every agency uses metrics to track and measure the success of employees, teams and the business as a whole. These metrics are often called KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) within client organizations and the KPIs you choose determine what the agency values and also impacts the agency's culture.
It's also common for departments themselves to have specific KPIs, so the New Business group might be measured by number of RFPs responded to per month or the win rate on pitches. Each of these has impacts on culture as well (if I'm measured by number of RFPs, I'm less concerned about the quality fit of the RFP and more concerned about how quickly I can generate the response - you get the idea).
K = Kindness
This metric is demonstrated by an employee's actions both within the agency and without. Examples include:
It's basically a "treat others like you want to be treated" metric, and you can imagine the multiplicity of instances this metric would apply to. The end result however is always a better culture for everyone.
P = Passion
As with the Kindness metric, this indicator requires commitment from agency leadership as well. To fulfill on this metric, the employees have to believe that leadership is committed to their success and sincerely wants them to be passionate about what they're doing. The net result of this metric is a workforce that doesn't have to be cajoled into putting in the extra effort required for a quality product - they do it because they love what they do.
I = Ideas (or Innovation)
Ideas and innovation are what set agencies apart, and an agency that makes ideation a defining metric of performance for employees says all the right things to new and prospective employees. Ideas have to be a core cultural value of agencies if there's any chance for agencies to survive the insourcing of agency functions due to cost-cutting measures.
Key Performance Indicators are standard in the business world because they keep the company focused on delivering what matters. Using KPIs to define and build agency culture can produce the kind of agency everyone wants to work for (and with!).
But KPIs are useless if you don't have the systems necessary to track and measure them. Agencies are complex and data pores in from all competencies. To accurately measure your financial and operational performance you need an Agency Management System that integrates that data and presents it to you in a way you can understand, evaluate and share.
Advantage integrates Accounting, Project Management and Media to give you a comprehensive view of the agency's operations and provide you the right tool to optimize those operations to not only meet, but exceed your KPIs. Schedule a quick online demo today and see what a difference AQUA can make for your agency.