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"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:
 
Embrace change and innovation to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry.
Develop authentic solutions that align with your agency's strengths and expertise.
Engage external experts to help set the "North Star" and gain perspective during the transformation process.
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 Hoyle, 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:
Specialisation helps agencies stand out and attract top clients and talent.
Authentic sector expertise and a passionate leader are crucial for success.
Specialising can boost team happiness and performance by fostering learning and pride.
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:
🤝 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.
📣 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.
🌍 Fostering Collaboration - Regular meetups, inclusive social events, and daily stand-ups help remote team members feel connected and engaged, even across time zones.
🔄 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:
Ensure every team member has a clear "next step" in their career journey.
Never settle when it comes to hiring. If it's not a resounding "yes," it's a no.
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