Part 7 (1/2)

We use Yammer as our private, internal social network, which enables threaded and searchable conversations If you are not fa solutions, it is basically like Facebook for the enterprise Here are soe of a solution like Yaood news and positive client results

Ask questions of peers

Publish account en strategies

Provide account and group updates

Suggest upcos to read, and influencers to follow, as they are discovered

Meanwhile, Highrise is a custoeencies to track conversations, calls, e- in at any time and view the latest activities on the dashboard, and then click through to any items that are relevant This is an effective way for the entire teaency Also, fro professionals insight into standard coe Transfer Use s, case studies, and handbooks to document policies, procedures, and best practices Consider the ency's collective knowledge, so that it can be passed on to the next generation of e Practicing in front of peers and reat way to gain experience and build confidence Look for opportunities, such as calls,sessions into your training prograet expensive with fees and travel costs, but they definitely provide valuable content and networking opportunities, as well as unique experiences for your tea industry events to consider, but for agencies serious about transfor into a tech-savvy hybrid, SXSW Interactive is the one cannot-miss conference The conference, which happens every March in Austin, Texas, brings together the brightest, y for five days of learning If you have never attended, it is worth the invest online resources available to train agency professionals For exale offers free courses that provide cole AdWords, and HubSpot certifies professionals through its Inbound Marketing University Consider the areas your agency needs to strengthen, and look for third-party courses to enhance internalexercises, such as book reading, conference attendance, and webinar participation, into agency blog posts This is a perfect way to share valuable content on your blog, and gives professionals the chance to hone their writing skills

Group Exercises assign challenges to the entire agency or select teaether For exaned to educate eed in the direction of the fir the Professional Service Firm by David H Maister4 We wanted theency as a ave them much needed perspective

They had one month to read the book and respond to a series of questions We then got together the next hts and responses Here are sample questions that we actually used in the exercise: How can we ency more profitable?

What can be done to improve client relations?

What can you do personally to iency?

How can account groups run then eency?

If you were in charge of the agency, what three actions would you make the top priorities to improve efficiency, value delivered to clients, and profitability?

Group exercises like this are difficult to keep up hen client workflow is heavy, but nize their importance and make them a priority

Talent Evaluation and Professional Reviews

For and advance on track with their development, and identify opportunities to address concerns and challenges Although annual reviews should be standard for all professionals, reat way to keep y and encies, the huement team, which, most likely, does not have any advanced hu My best advice in these cases is to seek out reputable online sources for guidance, take a few classes at a local university, consider hiring a consultant if you can afford the investra provides a wealth of detailed and practical advice on ”how leading co the best people” It is one of thePR 20/20's talent evaluation and advancerams

The Basics Professional reviews should analyze competencies and traits, es self-analysis as a

Professionals are presented with approxi: 1 (strongly disagree), 2 (disagree), 3 (neutral), 4 (agree), and 5 (strongly agree) Each statement also has a notes colus There are no right or wrong answers, and we do not consider the cuoals are to: Create a snapshot of ency

Clearly define expectations

Strengthen the teauidance, and support needed for success

Irowth

The review is not meant as a burden or a test Instead, it is an opportunity for professionals to gain a strong grasp on where they stand in their professional development, and identify opportunities to enhance their value and careers, while helping to grow the agency

Once professionals coers review responses and develop qualitative follow-up questions based on personal ratings, performance history, and supervisor feedback Individual review ers Based on discussions, professionals develop and submit action-oriented, results-driven advancement plans These serve as the basis for future evaluations

Establishi+ng Systems with a Personal Touch Do not coh it is irams, take the time to personalize your approach based on the unique needs and personalities of each professional Understand what is important to them, and treat the are core coency talent-evaluation syste? What are the opportunities ahead? How can they build a successful career at your agency? These are the types of questions you need to ansith a career path It lays out the roles, responsibilities, expectations, and opportunities at different levels of the agency

Start with Metrics Give professionals a clear understanding of how they will be evaluated Deterency and to the professional's advanceencies focus on client retention and growth, as well as productivity, efficiency, and profitability

assess Coe professionals to critically analyze their strengths and weaknesses Focus on the competencies and traits that are essential to their development Here are sample statements you reeree), 2 (disagree), 3 (neutral), 4 (agree), and 5 (strongly agree)

I aic and reason I am decisive in my actions

I believe risk and failure are essential paths to success

I have difficulty focusing on a single project or task for extended periods of ti and controlling ht deadlines

I tend to get defensive when peers challenge my work or opinions

Evaluate Drive Professionals h drive is readily apparent to perceptive e how individuals feel they are perfor You can use statey in business and life on the things I can control I don't get distracted and overwhels I cannot influence

I find oals (personally and professionally) that require me to test my own capabilities, commitment, and limits

No one will ever question my effort and desire to improve and succeed

I create more value than I capture