Getting the Most Out of Your Agency Relationship

A Practical Guide for Clients to Maximize Their Partnerships With a Creative/Development Agencies

Have you been burned by an agency before? Are your projects regularly going over budget? Are features being delivered that don’t meet your requirements? Do you dread the RFP process and vendor selection? You’re not alone! According to a survey by the Harvard Business Review the average project costs 27% more than the original budget. Worse, one in six projects ends up with a cost overrun of 200% and a schedule overrun of more than 70%.

If you’ve experienced a difficult agency partnership and are interested in learning some helpful tips on how to build a successful one, then come to this session!

The relationship between agencies and clients can sometimes resemble a minefield, even as both parties have the best intentions. This session will focus on concrete, positive, and proactive strategies that can be used to overcome common issues, presented from the perspective of someone who’s worked on both sides of the proverbial aisle.

Discussion will include:

• Techniques for managing the relationship in general.

• How get the best results from your RFP process.

• Strategies for painless vendor selection.

• How to think about and discuss budget.

• What to ask for in your contract.

• Communicating the needs of and soliciting buy-in from your key internal stakeholders.

• Signs your project is going off the rails; hints agencies may be giving you; warning signs to recognize.

• What your agency liaison/PM is really thinking.

• How to move forward effectively after a problem has occured.

Attendees Will Leave With:

• A deeper understanding of the challenges that clients and agencies face.

• Key steps to building a lasting relationship with your agency.

• Practical tips on how to approach difficult discussions.

• Insight into the workings and motivations of an agency.