Five tips for establishing a successful partnership with your digital agency
Here are five things you can do to set the tone for a successful working relationship:
1. Be strategic
Make the most of your digital partnerships by working tactically together. A part of this means coming prepared with an established, clearly defined goal for your business in the digital space. Unless you’re specifically hiring a digital agency to define your digital strategy, go to the party prepared with your objectives.
Another way to be strategic is by establishing a culture of collaboration from the very beginning. Your team should be hands-on and involved early, and throughout the process. Particularly if the project or task at hand is comprehensive with many players involved, the work will be more efficient and successful when managed collaboratively. For example, save time and headaches for all by sharing if your agency has a clear understanding of what has/has not worked well in the past or is/isn’t on strategy.
To be strategic with your digital agency moving forward, it’s important to share what has or hasn’t worked in the past. Share as much as you can—previous creative, learnings, product info, business strategy, lead times, etc., to help fuel their work.
2. Communication is key
No relationship will thrive without open communication, and this one is no different.
A true partnership will be fostered when there is honesty and transparency in the communication. Praise your digital team’s efforts when warranted and be honest if they fail. Direct and genuine feedback, both good and bad, won’t leave your agency guessing and will provide a clear understanding of your expectations and how to find new ways to win for you.
Establish channels of communication with key players early on and throughout the process, through vehicles such as weekly update calls, chat channels, or shared status documents.
3. Set clear expectations and define roles
Channels of communication will be better and more productive when clear expectations and roles are defined and talked about from the get-go. This includes:
4. Hold EVERYONE accountable
Sticking to timelines and hitting deadlines is crucial, but it’s equally as important for your internal team to be accountable as well. If your team is expected to deliver feedback in a set timeline, don’t be late. The same expectations you have for your agency should also be put on your team.
On-time asset deliveries, creative approvals, and constructive feedback will make for better collaboration.
A part of accountability is also sticking to the clear expectations that were set from the beginning. Don’t ask for things that were not agreed upon or distract everyone from the agency’s contracted tasks.
5. Be human
Treating your agency as a true partner will allow your company to take full advantage of its digital potential.
Respect is foundational to all great relationships, and this one is no different. You are all working for the same goal, so no need to talk down, belittle, or act unkindly to your agency. They will be driven to work harder for you when treated nicely.
A successful partnership will be built on authentic connections, and this particular relationship will have even greater potential when both sides have mutual respect and understanding.
This content was originally published here.