Symptoms of Denial10 Warning Signs a Firm Is in Trouble

Understand when it’s time to take a serious, in-depth look at the way the agency operates – when a simple hire or fire won’t create significant improvement.

Symptom 1: All the focus is on past success

Toys of Christmas Past by Paul Townsend

More time is spent talking about the good old days. Case studies are starting to look dated. There is nothing new to show. There is little to get excited about.

Symptom 2: Risk taking is not encouraged

Staff is afraid. New ideas just fizzle away. Punishment is doled out for the smallest infraction. Fear of failure drives decision making.

"Taken at Trash " by Melusina Parkin

Symptom 3: Politics are the rule

Positions and titles become increasingly important. More private one-on-one meetings. Motivation is questioned. Issues addressed by trying to manipulate staff.

http://rosaryofsighsx.deviantart.com/art/She-Said-Murder-95023382

Symptom 4: Employees guess at what management wants

No big-picture direction from management. Focus is on granular-level tasks. Information flow is all back-channel. Staff has difficulty actually getting any work done.

http://369dreamergirl.deviantart.com/art/Gamble-148181897

Symptom 5: Decision making in the hands/minds of the few

Agency becomes more insular and siloed. Decisions are bumped up to the next higher authority. Work delayed until management reviews. Anyone who speaks up is viewed with hostility.

http://chris10ne.deviantart.com/art/Slow-Down-173245618

Symptom 6: Appearances are all-important

Agency seems focused on distractions, busy work. Managers squash feedback. Bad news is swept under the rug. Nobody is accountable.

http://pumpkin87.deviantart.com/art/Beyond-Appearances-311037927

Symptom 7: Programs du jour are the menu

Change programs started and abandoned without achieving anything. Every new management fad imitated. Off-site retreats produce little results.

http://ivan-suta.deviantart.com/art/four-cups-66657081

Symptom 8: Micromanagement is the culture

Resistance to delegating any work. Management expects regular reports on miscellany. Smaller and smaller faithful “in” the know. Everything is a priority.

http://www.deviantart.com/art/Minimalism-41907400

Symptom 9: Energy level is low

Management finds it easier to brush staff experience aside. More meetings, no decisions. Staff taking more breaks, chatting and wasting time online. Absenteeism rising.

http://www.deviantart.com/art/Just-a-Chair-BW-84801156

Symptom 10: Business as usual

There is no vision for the future, no plan for growth, and no hope. Agency mission statement hanging on the wall seems lifeless and phony. New ideas are squashed.

http://www.deviantart.com/art/Almost-58298129

Get Out of Denial

¨ Establish a Clear Vision/Mission Motivating and energizing, yet

doable, actionable¨ Leadership Must Commit Fully

Ensures resources, decisions, momentum and action

¨ Ensure Everyone Is Involved Incorporate all operational

components and organizational levels, no sacred cows

¨ Involvement/Ownership Leaders and change agents

actively engaged ¨ Have a Plan

Develop it/work it/track it

¨ Our experience in working with agencies of all sizes has uncovered many examples of denial, or barriers to change

¨ Leaders need to shift their focus to inside the agency and address tangible issues often overlooked

¨ Agencies often make the mistake of addressing a single issue, such as staffing, as opposed to taking a more holistic approach to problem solving and long-term planning

¨ We encourage agencies to conduct a broader, more in-depth assessment of their organization to uncover the underlying issues affecting performance

Sanders Consulting Group¨ Operating over 30 years, helping over

5,000 agencies ¨ Known around the world as the leading

new business consulting firm¨ Working with some of the best managed

agencies on the globe ¨ Selected as the new business training

provider to the largest agencies in the world¨ We show you how to win,

not just play the game

Visit www.sandersconsulting.come-mail: info@sandersconsulting.com

Call 412.897.9329

Bob SandersPresident Sanders Consulting GroupNew Directions For Agency Growth

We see our role as trusted advisors helping you to chart a new path for your firm that leads to success

and perhaps moving to the next level. We believe that anyone can adjust to the industry realities and survive.

But if you embrace them, you can soar.