David C. Baker: Author | Speaker | Advisor—Business Insight for the Expert Firm
Position PapersEssential Leadership QualitiesWhat are the characteristics of a leader that others want to follow?As you’ll soon see, this list is a very personal one. In other words, we’d all come up with different elements when building the list. What I’ve tried to do, though, is to think of a complete leader. So I’ve asked myself this question: can I imagine a leader who isn’t fair, for instance. The answer is obviously no. Each one of these, then, describes a leader’s characteristics, any one of which might hinder their effectiveness if missing in any significant proportion. What I’d encourage you to do--maybe even before you read this list--is to first make up your own list and compare it with mine. (These are not presented in any particular order.) More > |
BlogYour Agency Needs Something Different from YouIf you could concentrate in a few different areas over the next eighteen months, here's what could happen at your firm:
That's not going to happen, though, unless you give up some things, because you just don't have the capacity. I'm not asking you to work harder--I'm asking you to work smarter. If you are ready for this, consider giving up some things, and giving them up in the right order: More >The Four Types of Employees at Your FirmTake just six minutes with me and think about the four different kinds of employees you have. You'll learn a lot more from this exercise if you participate and apply it to your firm as you read. Start by answering two questions about each employee:
Draw your own guadrant, like the... More > |
Speaking EventsChoosing the Right Software to Run Your AgencyWebinar: There are more than fifty software solutions tailored specifically for agencies like yours. These range from full-blown integrated packages to best-in-class standalone solutions, each designed to manage accounting, timekeeping, scheduling, project planning, and media. The thing is that each agency is different, though, and the solutions should match. But how do you evaluate these decisions, especially when you'll probably live with them for many years? Learn how to decide, what options are available, and when it makes sense to switch...or stick with what you have. Our guide has been an official advisor to four major solutions and has seen the inside of 750+ agencies. This is where you'll get unbiased advice from someone who isn't on commission. Monday, November 10, 12:00-1:30p central. $160 Employee Compensation, Benefits, + IncentivesWebinar: It's always good to rethink your entire employee eco-system, including how you pay them, what benefits are appropriate, and which incentives make sense for which positions. When you do that, you'll find it helpful to determine what you are trying to accomplish, how best to accomplish those goals, and how to build a fresh consistency around your decisions. Employee investments are the biggest investments you make, and it's good to be really smart about how you make them. In addition to writing a bestselling book around this subject (Managing Right for the First Time), David C. Baker will apply the experience of having consulted with 750+ agencies around these issues. Friday, December 12, 12:00-1:30p central. $160 Books
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Blog
Your Agency Needs Something Different from You
If you could concentrate in a few different areas over the next eighteen months, here's what could happen at your firm:
- There would be more opportunities from which to choose. No more feeding the machine with frequent compromises. You've failed with this up until now, either letting the urgent displace the critical or delegating it to someone else who can't manage it with the presence that you bring.
- You'd have your arms tightly around your agency's performance, with eight key metrics always at your fingertips. Remember that your firm won't fail for lack of creativity--it will fail because you made a business mistake.
- You'd have a trusted and capable middle layer of stars who made the trains run reliably, whether you were there or not.
That's not going to happen, though, unless you give up some things, because you just don't have the capacity. I'm not asking you to work harder--I'm asking you to work smarter. If you are ready for this, consider giving up some things, and giving them up in the right order:
More >The Four Types of Employees at Your Firm
Take just six minutes with me and think about the four different kinds of employees you have. You'll learn a lot more from this exercise if you participate and apply it to your firm as you read.
Start by answering two questions about each employee:
- Is this employee a cultural fit? Think about your values, as well as the importance you place on honesty, transparency, collaboration, commitment, etc.
- Is the employee a contributor? To answer this question, think about whether you could send them to talk with a client (on their own) or ask them to teach their fellow employees through an informal seminar for an hour or ask them to write an insightful blog post.
Draw your own guadrant, like the...
More >Position Papers
Essential Leadership Qualities
What are the characteristics of a leader that others want to follow?As you’ll soon see, this list is a very personal one. In other words, we’d all come up with different elements when building the list. What I’ve tried to do, though, is to think of a complete leader. So I’ve asked myself this question: can I imagine a leader who isn’t fair, for instance. The answer is obviously no. Each one of these, then, describes a leader’s characteristics, any one of which might hinder their effectiveness if missing in any significant proportion. What I’d encourage you to do--maybe even before you read this list--is to first make up your own list and compare it with mine. (These are not presented in any particular order.)
More >Speaking Events
Choosing the Right Software to Run Your Agency
Webinar: There are more than fifty software solutions tailored specifically for agencies like yours. These range from full-blown integrated packages to best-in-class standalone solutions, each designed to manage accounting, timekeeping, scheduling, project planning, and media. The thing is that each agency is different, though, and the solutions should match. But how do you evaluate these decisions, especially when you'll probably live with them for many years? Learn how to decide, what options are available, and when it makes sense to switch...or stick with what you have. Our guide has been an official advisor to four major solutions and has seen the inside of 750+ agencies. This is where you'll get unbiased advice from someone who isn't on commission. Monday, November 10, 12:00-1:30p central. $160
Employee Compensation, Benefits, + Incentives
Webinar: It's always good to rethink your entire employee eco-system, including how you pay them, what benefits are appropriate, and which incentives make sense for which positions. When you do that, you'll find it helpful to determine what you are trying to accomplish, how best to accomplish those goals, and how to build a fresh consistency around your decisions. Employee investments are the biggest investments you make, and it's good to be really smart about how you make them. In addition to writing a bestselling book around this subject (Managing Right for the First Time), David C. Baker will apply the experience of having consulted with 750+ agencies around these issues. Friday, December 12, 12:00-1:30p central. $160
Books
Speaking Events
Choosing the Right Software to Run Your Agency
Webinar: There are more than fifty software solutions tailored specifically for agencies like yours. These range from full-blown integrated packages to best-in-class standalone solutions, each designed to manage accounting, timekeeping, scheduling, project planning, and media. The thing is that each agency is different, though, and the solutions should match. But how do you evaluate these decisions, especially when you'll probably live with them for many years? Learn how to decide, what options are available, and when it makes sense to switch...or stick with what you have. Our guide has been an official advisor to four major solutions and has seen the inside of 750+ agencies. This is where you'll get unbiased advice from someone who isn't on commission. Monday, November 10, 12:00-1:30p central. $160
Employee Compensation, Benefits, + Incentives
Webinar: It's always good to rethink your entire employee eco-system, including how you pay them, what benefits are appropriate, and which incentives make sense for which positions. When you do that, you'll find it helpful to determine what you are trying to accomplish, how best to accomplish those goals, and how to build a fresh consistency around your decisions. Employee investments are the biggest investments you make, and it's good to be really smart about how you make them. In addition to writing a bestselling book around this subject (Managing Right for the First Time), David C. Baker will apply the experience of having consulted with 750+ agencies around these issues. Friday, December 12, 12:00-1:30p central. $160
Blog
Your Agency Needs Something Different from You
If you could concentrate in a few different areas over the next eighteen months, here's what could happen at your firm:
- There would be more opportunities from which to choose. No more feeding the machine with frequent compromises. You've failed with this up until now, either letting the urgent displace the critical or delegating it to someone else who can't manage it with the presence that you bring.
- You'd have your arms tightly around your agency's performance, with eight key metrics always at your fingertips. Remember that your firm won't fail for lack of creativity--it will fail because you made a business mistake.
- You'd have a trusted and capable middle layer of stars who made the trains run reliably, whether you were there or not.
That's not going to happen, though, unless you give up some things, because you just don't have the capacity. I'm not asking you to work harder--I'm asking you to work smarter. If you are ready for this, consider giving up some things, and giving them up in the right order:
The Four Types of Employees at Your Firm
Take just six minutes with me and think about the four different kinds of employees you have. You'll learn a lot more from this exercise if you participate and apply it to your firm as you read.
Start by answering two questions about each employee:
- Is this employee a cultural fit? Think about your values, as well as the importance you place on honesty, transparency, collaboration, commitment, etc.
- Is the employee a contributor? To answer this question, think about whether you could send them to talk with a client (on their own) or ask them to teach their fellow employees through an informal seminar for an hour or ask them to write an insightful blog post.
Draw your own guadrant, like the...
Books
Position Papers
Essential Leadership Qualities
What are the characteristics of a leader that others want to follow?As you’ll soon see, this list is a very personal one. In other words, we’d all come up with different elements when building the list. What I’ve tried to do, though, is to think of a complete leader. So I’ve asked myself this question: can I imagine a leader who isn’t fair, for instance. The answer is obviously no. Each one of these, then, describes a leader’s characteristics, any one of which might hinder their effectiveness if missing in any significant proportion. What I’d encourage you to do--maybe even before you read this list--is to first make up your own list and compare it with mine. (These are not presented in any particular order.)
David C. Baker: Author | Speaker | Advisor—Business Insight for the Expert Firm