And what has changed while I've been away? Well a lot of the
faces are the same, I'm sure some of them think I've just been a
long time in the stationery cupboard. I got a great welcome back,
but what was particularly striking was the welcome I've had from
people I didn't know first time around.
It's clear a lot of hard work has gone into getting the culture
of the agency right. Finding the balance between serious
professionalism and the relaxed atmosphere that allows creativity
to flourish isn't easy. It's especially hard in the B2B sector
where briefs are long, intricate and involved, and by definition
it's all about business - which is usually serious.
The biggest change that I can see is the way people talk to each
other. There's mutual respect and no sign of the inter-departmental
power struggles that typify big agency life, and to be honest have
been part of life at IAS at times in the past. I think that was
down to departments competing with each other and points scoring.
The emphasis now is on playing as a team and winning, as a team.
People here are happy to work together and share ideas, and they do
it with a smile.
Maybe it's something in the country air out here by the canal in
Bollington. More likely it's the influence and plain speaking of
the senior management team - and the quality of their internal
communications. Especially, I think it's because the staff that has
been assembled are each at the top of their game and are trusted to
deliver, and with that comes confidence.
But best of all, everyone is encouraged to have fun at work. We
spend a lot of time here and it's important that it's quality time
and not just a race against the clock every day.
If chucking a few darts or a mid-afternoon pool game helps you
relax long enough for the creative ideas buzzing around your head
to settle themselves then that's a good thing. So is singing your
heart out at a lunchtime choir session, or maybe busting a gut at
Monday night footy (not with my knees).
It's great to be back and to be reminded that the creative
business should be fun.
Tagged:
team work